Composting isn't really feasible on a small scale either seeing as how it takes a large amount of space for the compost to work correctly. Plus I would rather smell the sweet scent of lemon blossoms and lillys than manure. Although expensive I had dreamt up another solution using compost in a tumber with a small water line pinned inside underneath the pile and hooked up to a pump with restrictor orifaces to slow the rate of return on the water to both give the water in the line time to heat up and to not cool down the heat build up within the compost. But when I really thought about it I'd be dropping close to 500 in equipment and supplies for a very inconsistent method of "free" heat. I like the idea of mats and plan to get some in the future. Anyone know if the heating mats pull a lot of amps. My heater already pulls 11-12 and it's plugged into a 15 amp socket. Seedlings are not the only plants I keep on my GH I have a lemon tree, lillys, strawberries in hanging baskets, gladioluses, and tomatoes all of which are not seedlings. So the heater stays and I'll add mats if I can run them both with out throwing the breaker. But does it not make since to only warm half the GH? I'm talking about splitting it horizontally under the benches and devise a contraption of sorts to roll it up towards the back when I need to work inside. Something like a retractable projection screen would be awesome.

If you are "stuck with the bookcase headboard" as you say, then I would not go streamlined with the bottom of the bed. It just won't look right IMHO. Keep the dust 'ruffle' and use a plain flat, box pleated one to avoid fussiness. It sounds like you just hate the dust ruffle and adequate storage in the room also seems to be a problem too, if there is no room for a nightstand and the only bookshelf is in the headboard..........maybe consider a captains bed for your son. It will look sturdy and streamlined and won't be fussy. It will provide more storage. Check CL. If you absolutely want no dust ruffle, and the captains bed is not right for you, try hiding the wheels with coffee cans. You can paint them to match the color of the frame. Use a quilt that is long enough to cover the frame even though it will match the cans. Personally I would not spend a dime, or waste the time, to try to make a silk purse out of a sow's ear. Those metal bed frames on wheels are ugly and noisy. Get a new bed that fits your needs and decorating desires. If your are on a strict budget consider the following options......... If you do not need wheels on the bed to move it around for cleaning why not just build a platform bed. You can just get four sturdy pillars or use glass block or just about anything and put a sturdy board over it. Make sure you also provide center supports. Since bookshelves are needed can you just put some on the wall. Get lumber and cut to size and make or buy brackets. Consider checking CraigsList for a new bed. Goodwill in my area has wonderfull items and always has beds, usually the full size ones and twin size. Freecycle may offer a bed frame that you can get just for hauling it away. If you live in a city keep your eyes peeled for great curbside finds. I've seen perfectly good bed frames and headboards set out curbside all the time. I've curbside shopped myself, and often I grab things that I can't use, but hate to see go to a landfill, and I bring them in to Goodwill. You wouldn't believe the nice things that people toss out.

You don't like or need all those windows, no views to enjoy, and you want a busy happy family room. You don't want to remodel. For now, I'd say sure, go ahead with covering the lower panes inexpensively and seeing how it lives. A first step to deciding how you'd like a more permanent solution. How about eventually that more permanent solution by building portable book/storage/display cases in front of the lower part of the windows? Construct them with backs (insulated?) that cover all behind from sight but sides that are able to slide in against the wall while leaving the window casings untouched? The top would be a display shelf. You could run up simple tier curtains that could be hung on rings to open and close as wanted for the upper windows. The choice of fabrics and mood is almost infinite, the cost extremely low. What furniture might go in front of the patio door -- if it had been covered up entirely with a portable wall-height panel that created a special place between the shelves topped with windows on each side? A loveseat? A game table and chairs? Instead of solid storage, you could inset a daybed, desk, TV here and there. You could make the window-covers different depths to define separate areas. Readymade bookcases are surprisingly expensive, even Ikea's Billy, but other kinds of ready-made storage can be much more inexpensive. Instead of all open storage you could have doors on the lower parts by using shallow kitchen upper cabinets and building an open shelf over to the height needed. Or just do that here and there. The basic cabinets might be found at a ReStore. Could you inset a single bed across one end and pile it with pillows for playing and reading? Maybe google family room storage systems and imagine them stopping at the height you need to get ideas?

I've seen something like this before, although I don't think it was a closet, and think it's really an amusing touch. Probably not cheap but obviously they could afford it.