Sure since you have the room, but I would put a pair of twin beds in there rather than a queen, so more than one child could stay in there. Girls don't seem to mind sharing a bed--I even know adult women that do when they go to conferences and stuff to save expenses--but boys seem to like their own bed.

I agree with palimpsest. Twin beds might be a better choice. I like the idea of kid decor. I redid our back guestroom with the idea of my nephews staying in there when they visit. I put in a trundle bed so that each of them would have their own bed. I made the mistake of redecorating the room so that it appealed to me, and accessorizing with old family photos. My nephews don't like to stay in there because, in their words, it's creepy!

I would use art and other moveables for the monkeys and balloons theme so you can switch that out as time flies by and the children evolve. It's one thing to redecorate your son's room regularly to reflect the interests in his life, but it's a bit of a burden to have to do that with a guest room.

I'm a grandma to 4 (soon 5) aged 9-14, and aunt to 5 aged 9-23. All visit on a regular basis. The surprise to me is how much equipment they want in their guest room. I suppose it only surprises me because they have things in their lives that we didn't when we were growing up.

Anyway- they are much more interested in the availability of a big screen TV, computer, gaming set, Ipod dock, etc. than any decor theme that I might impose. Their interest in these things started years ago, and I am giving them a wireless high speed haven in the new house in self defense-it keeps them out of my office and studio!

I think if you have the room and the desire a kid's guest room is a great idea. I'd probably try to get as many beds would fit in there, though. Two twins with at least one trundle. That's going to be much more versatile.
My grandparents had a story and a half. The entire upper floor was for guests with 2 twins and 2 queen beds. All five of us or all six of the cousins would stay in that room together...great memories! I always looked forward to the "slumber parties".

The only thing that would give me reservations is the monkey wallpaper. Pre-teens aren't going to be impressed with it. However, it's your house and odds are that the kids won't pay too much attention. I think I have a bias against monkeys, though. I must have been traumatized by some evil monkey show in my youth!

I think having a dedicated kids room is a great idea especially that you have the space. I think the monkeys and hot air balloons would appeal to the under 8 crowd. (personally I love the idea) Pre-teens and teens may think it's "babyish". So, if you have older kids using that room a lot you may want to rethink the "theme". Also 2 twins or a bunk bed with trundle would work better than a queen for kids.

I am not sure that older kids will care or notice that much since it isn't their own room at home. They will be more concerned about it being comfortable, not having to worry about messing something up, having a TV and gaming and internet access.

My Mom had a dedicated kids guest room, and it is still remembered fondly to this day by my children.
Not to say my Mom didnt use it- It was decorated in a way that pleased her, and had a daybed with bunch of pillows under the window and she loved to curl up with a good book there from time to time. The day bed had a trundle that pulled out - so the kids would sleep on the day bed and the trundle.
It was a very large room so there was for a time a crib in the room, with a rocking chair for nursing and cuddling babies.
And of course the room held a lot of toys, books, and simple craft items. all of which they could play with as they wished.( the older ones of course) Mema would even insist that they let her clean up her toys!

I think a dedicated kids room makes wonderful memories,no matter how it is decorated, and I am already planning out mine and I dont even have grandkids , or empty rooms,or have friends that have young kids. It will be cozy and fun. I know you are a loooong way from grandkids but I think it is the same idea. go for it.

I think it's a great idea! I agree the twin beds might be something to consider.

"I think a dedicated kids room makes wonderful memories"
Yep. :)

Love the idea, but I agree, do the twin beds. For some reason, I love the look of matching twin beds in a room.

Not sure about the monkeys though, I'd have to see it first. I would do as much vintage and victorian as you could though, because it's appealing to the eye's of all ages!

Definitely a monkey puppet or 2 belongs in the room.

Wow, thanks for sharing some of your stories everyone! I hadn't even thought of twins, but what a great idea! I think there is room on the one wall where a bed would fit well. Because it's an attic like space it has some funny sloping walls that sort of force you to a location for the beds.

I won't be adding a computer or tv (our guest rooms don't have them) but I hadn't considered books and craft/toys. I know with one of our regular guests that would be a huge hit. Thanks sue.

Alex out guest space is also a dedicated floor. I hope we can create memories like your grandmother had.

Homorsmom your creepy story cracked me up. Ok no family photos lol

Pal....I once had a boss who suggested the ladies share a room with a queen bed at a conference because the hotel had only suites left. I asked him if he was going to share with the dray tech (male). We all got our own suites heh heh. If I'm gonna sleep with someone they need to buy me dinner first! Oh wait...I shouldn't say that online.

The universal I hate monkeys made me giggle, though shee seems ok with them lol. I'll have to dig out the paper when I get a chance. It's really more of a Victorian east indies type thing than in your face monkey but I'll put it up to a vote lol.

I know they have a couple of antique iron beds up at the local habitat thrift store. I think I'll go pick them up :). Don't tell my hubby....it's not in the budget...and don't tell the gardener. Apparently at a dinner party he told a mutual friend that I was only allowed to blow the budget on garden purchases heh heh. Gad I love that guy!

I definitely concur with the idea of two twin beds instead of one queen bed!

And igloo, I have seen your posts over on the old house forum so I know you will choose a wallpaper that is at least somewhat historically accurate. It will look very nice ;).

Igloo- I love the idea of a dedicated kids' guest room! I think twin beds are a good choice, with lots of shelving and built-ins...very cool and easy to stash stuff.

If the beds are off to the sides, and you have any floor space left in the middle, it would also make a neat playroom for DS and friends. I love toys and I'd have some puzzles, games, coloring books and crayons, even some cool Fisher Price up there...but that's just me. LOL

The monkey wallpaper sounds intriguing. Whatever you do, have fun and maybe let DS and his little friend help with the design. If you have an overall vision, they can help with smaller details, but they'll still be helping...even if it's just picking out some toys :)

Igloo maybe make one of those twins a trundle- the more the merrier for kids.

Sorry to hear the adoption fell through.

Thanks natal. We actually decided not to adopt a couple of weeks ago. Ds is doing so well that we just don't want to rock the boat. He's kind of grown past all of the reasons we wanted to adopt originally and given I'm a single mom half of the time, and still have a few years of ds being sick, well the thought of more high maintenance kids...scary lol

When he's older we may foster, but not until he's well.

Lav, the kids already have the playroom of their dreams....it's what we call the asian suite....(cuz that's where all the cheap Chinese toys are) and at 25x40 it's a pretty nice space for kids lol. So I won't turn it into another play area cuz I'm afraid of the toy migration issue.

I'm nit sure we could do trundles because the beds have to into a nook but I have some special cots for kids that can be set up quickly and we have a portable crib so the room could be made up for one baby or five kids pretty quickly. In general we will keep it Victorian in feel a)cuz we should...but more important b) we have everything but the beds laying around...including sock monkeys lol.

I probably won't start up there till after the holidays, mostly because I have to decorate the whole house and make 43 holiday stockings for some of the staff at work. They're embroidered and fully lined so I have to get cracking lol. My next question will probably be a request as to how to work in a stocking factory in the basement...with cots for elves heh heh

Missed the part about not adopting. I know these past few years have been hard on all of you.
I think you will have a blast with the kids room- it will be perfect for sleepovers( and you know DS will sleep in there too!)
we need to see pics. oh of the elves handwork too.

I just finished our bonus room for my two grandchildren. It too has angled ceilings making it difficult to lay out, and I also used twin wicker beds with vintage Bates chenille bedspreads. On the other side of the room, I put two large wicker chairs, my granddaughter's 40's vanity from Craigslist, and a large wooden table with two chairs for coloring, board games and crafts. It's the first place they head when they come over, and it's because we do things in that room; they don't just sleep in it. I think it's important to include things to do in the room, so they want to spend time there. I would also put a television with DVD, even though you don't have them in the other rooms. Kids love watching videos. Sounds like it will be a lovely room.

And I loved your post, Cooperbailey. It's exactly the memories I hope to inspire for my grandchildren.

Dee

I am sorry to hear about the no adoption, but at the same time, I am guessing that making the decision has brought you peace.

I love the idea of a kids' guest room. If nothing else, it will be one more fun place for your DS.

The monkey idea sort of scares me, too . . .some kids might find it creepy. :) But I say, go with what your ultimate vision is. The kids who visit will be happy!

Your house sounds like my dreamhouse!

My initial reaction to monkeys was guarded. The ones in the Wizard of Oz scared the living daylights out of me as a kid. If the wallpaper is the Raymond Waites with the monkeys in hot air balloons, I think it would fine. I love that paper!

Here is a link that might be useful: {{!gwi}}

Pics Dee!!!! That sounds like a wonderfully inspiring place!

And the adoption thing....really it was almost a relief. Sure I still feel a bit sad when I see the baby cloths we saved and bought for the babies that didn't happen...but that's life. Maybe our new kittens can wear them heh heh

Lol at the monkey worries. What is it about monkeys that gets to people? But since yoga cat was so sweet as to pull the paper out of her beh....ummm out of nowhere (how did you do that lol?). That is the paper, in a wry tight closeup. The balloons are only a couple of inches big If my memory serves me right (I bought it five years ago) so it's not in your face infant and/or monkey.

But if you wanted to get even with any little kids- you could paint wings on the monkeys, my little pretty...
seriously that is fun and the kids will think it is reallllly ollld like the house.

Igloo:
Here's some pics, though I am a bit reluctant to share them. They're not at all in keeping with your elegant Victorian. It was done on a budget. The beds, dresser, chairs, nightstands, all came from Craigslist, the bedspreads and chair fabric from ebay. The table was from our kitchen 15 years ago, the chairs are 13 years old, the doll beds from my childhood, the dolls from my daughter's childhood, the needlepoint pictures I did about 25 years ago, the glass tray lamp from about 25 years ago, even the phone was from our previous house. The rug was rolled up in the basement from a time 5 years ago when I thought I could live with that much color in the living room. My grandson and granddaughter both learned their colors on that rug as I would say to them, "Find RED!" I used blackboard paint on the door into the eave, and put the loveseat we had from my son's (their father) childhood in the closet, which goes WAAY back, for a little hideout. I'm still looking for comforters in green and blue for the foot of the beds, and plan on white shelves for the far wall to prop up current artwork, though my granddaughter suggested I put a large roll of paper on the wall so "we can just color whatever we want!" I probably would have painted the ceiling the same as the walls, but my daughter had put stars on the ceiling when she lived here. I usually think attic rooms look best with the ceiling and walls treated the same. Thanks for asking about my room. I probably gave you much more info than you ever wanted.:)
Dee

Dee- that is an adorable room!

Igloo- Now, I want to see pics of the playroom! It sounds wonderful :)

Dee- Great room. The wicker is so cheerful and what a pretty vanity.

Love the idea of a dedicated children's room. So much, in fact, that I have copies photos into my iPhoto of rooms that I love for the day that I have a spare bedroom for the grandkids. Right now, they have to share with my teens when they visit.

Igloo, sorry I just saw this thread tonight. I think it is a wonderful idea and the paper sounds/looks great! Go for it. Have a blast doing it and will look forward to seeing the results.

Sorry that your plans did not work out to adopt, but you have a lovely son who keeps you very busy from the sound of it! You have gone through so many ups and downs, the knowing it is done must also feel good in a way.

I think it is a great idea. Not sure about the decor, but your house, your style!

I would consider daybeds, not twins,with trundles under both of them. As kids get older they donâÂÂt want to share beds. As your son gets older and has sleepovers, they wonâÂÂt even want to sleep in the beds - they will sprawl on the daybeds or on the floor.

I know what you said about no tv or computer, but as the kids get older their gatherings will involve computer games, showing each other stuff on Youtube , watching shows on Hulu and things like the Wii. Crafts will likely only work for younger boys, and girls in general. Not pre-teen boys.

I would also consider if there is a closet, creating a built-in cabinet with a microwave and mini-fridge. Great for the kids when they stay up all night, as they are wont to do for sleepovers.

Dee thank you so much for posting. I love your room! The white with the little pops of bold colors is great for a kids space...but really, an adult would be happy in that cozy land as well.

Lav ummm ya, when china land is next clean I'll snap pics lol. I have been so busy setting up stocking city (aka my sewing room) that I kind of let him be a nut...I think he dumped every bin on the floor!

Mary Lu, you are right. Being "done"with the whole journey actually brings a great deal of peace to our world.

Les, I really can't do trundles in the room because of the way the beds have to sit in the roofline (the room has a gable that juts out where the beds would go. All of the other walls are small, much like dees or have doors that would be blocked.

As to tv or computers, right now my mindset is that I don't like them in a Childs bedroom. I may someday change my feelings about that, but for now I don't want young kids surfing where they won't be seen, particularly allowing other parents kids to do in my home without knowing how the parents feel about it. My son has an iPad, and I would imagine that if other kids are one day staying (older) and their parents are ok with that, they'll probably have their own devices for that stuff. I do let ds's friends use mine when supervised but never where we can't sort of monitor what they are doing. But my son is only five. I couldn't have imagined when he was born that he would know how to surf u tube at four lol so I'll reassess as time goes by. As to the bed options...we can always change those options as tine goes on and the kids grow. I can't see the monkeys being my forever decor lol.

For the majority of our sons guests, I won't encourage disappearing into the room though. It really is more for sleeping and alone time. We will let the much larger play room grow with the wii etc near a space we hang out so I know what they are up to.

we have the same no computers/tv in any of the kids' room policy too...but, during sleepovers they all stay in our basement, which is probably like your playroom! in a few years, you'll probably be investing in a 1/2 dozen or so sleeping bags and pillows!!(and they'll all sleep in the playroom!)

but, for true overnight 'guests', i think a kids' guestroom is a great idea...for out of town friends or cousins...or for the little girl friend--though when my youngest son(whose best friend was a girl)out grew the sleeping in same room age, he simultaneously outgrew wanting a girl to sleep over at all!!

i would decorate it any way YOU like...but would make it juvenile only if YOU want it to be...i don't think it'll matter to the kids that much and their tastes change/mature so fast as they grow....(and they really do grow sooooo fast....)

That paper is much better than the one I made up in my head. Very little monkey! I do think Wizard of Oz tainted me. My other grandma likes to tell the story of when I was a toddler and had a hissy over those flying monkeys and witch.

I agree with no media in the bedrooms, except music. I don't have it, the kids don't need it, and when I have guests I'd rather talk and the kids play. If we turn on the TV, we're probably all watching something together. I'm old school about that, I guess. We also only have one TV and the kids aren't allowed in the office with the computer unsupervised yet. It's different if we stay with someone, though. My kids are very young and active. My hosts deserve some quiet during the day and, if needed, the TV will give them that. The kids don't watch much at home so are easily tamed by the tube :)

First off- Dee, I love that room, what a great space!

Igloo- Love the idea! You have the space for it, so why not? I'd suggest finding a carom board and some wooden toys to go in there to decorate. Make sure they are modern versions so the kids that stay there can have fun with them.

I agree with your mindset about media in kids bedrooms. I'd encourage anyone who has children or has children visiting them to not have internet access in anywhere that adults are not. A friend of mine is in computer security and has always said the best protection for children is always having the computer in a public place where adults regularly are. I always thought, we'll do this when they are older- we have a game/ family room on our third floor with our TV, computer, and games. My older two (at the time 8 and 7) had lots of friends over of different ages and went on a gaming site I had never heard of and were playing beyond violent games. My kids know better, but with the push of older kids there, they caved. I always thought of predators and other things they might see, I hadn't thought of something like a game. Computer is now off limits until it's moved to a public area.

Busybee...he can't outgrow this girl....they're betrothed :p. (ok unlikely it will work but so far they're best friends heh heh.

I'm glad to see I'm not the only old fashioned one lol. I actually want them to leave their room sometimes so I know if they smell like pot or gad knows what they will smoke when ds is old enough for me to worry about that.

I actually will follow somoe of dees great leads for the room in that it's a great space for kids....but it could be used for adults in a pinch as well without them feeling they got the nursery.

Nowi just need to find time lol oh and wait....dh called today and asked if we could do a management retreat at the house in November. I guess I can leave it alone till then. ::eyes riling:: just what I need...ten overnight guests two weeks before the holiday home tour lol. If I drop a piano on the man can I still collect life insurance?

i know, i know...but the sleep overs w/ her might stop when he 's 8-9....(only to start up again when he's 15-17...!!)