Gardenwebber, that is SUCH a good point about "entertaining in their rooms". Here's a thought about your floorplan: have the kids take the back two bedrooms. Move your son to the smaller bedroom, the girls in the room with the closet. Take that wall that you guys put up and turn it into the bunk beds in separate rooms. This will give you a lot more useable floor space. Swing your youngest daughter's bed against the far wall and you will maximize the floor space there. Your son can have the lower bunk bed in his own room next door. That leaves the bedroom directly across from yours as a playroom. That also makes your own bedroom further away from the kids beds. The bunk beds are just drywalled with the mattress only on them. We have always had a rule that our kids cannot have a computer, video games or tv in their bedroom until they are 18. I do not want that stuff cluttering my downstairs living room. An upstairs space for this is the best solution. We built our current home knowing that we were going to have teens in them someday and to give them space separate from ours. Think about this solution. My husband would be happy to talk you and your husband thru the details if it is something you would be interested in. P.S. my 17y.o.'s boyfriend is coming for christmas for 17 days and there is no way in hell that she will be "entertaining" him in her bedroom!!!!!!!!!!!! Sherry

Also...now that each bedroom has a bathroom...are you putting son in front bedroom? Just thought it might give younger girls more privacy and they could each have window seats, if they like. And it makes their rooms almost identical, except for bathroom window :) I'm guessing older son might want a desk or chair, but that's based on my nephew at that age...or maybe drums. LOL

Thanks for the replies so far! Just to clear things up - The "Den" is also going to be an office - we need two. The idea of making the dining room into an office is about function over form, and actually using the space instead of wasting it. We've had guests over 0 times in the last 15 years. We've owned 6 homes in those years (including the one we are in now) with formal dining rooms and not used the dining table once. There is just us two - Our family lives 3000 miles away - and we are busy professionals - in retirement we will be at our country club for food/entertaining.. As is - we eat in the family room 99% of the time and only use our nook table for holidays... The large counter in this build would replace functionality of the nook table. The patio/pool area will have an extension with a fully screened in cage, and be a gathering space with tables/chairs - though where we live, it's miserable to be outside 8 months out of the year - so it's never used. That's our life - it's not even close to the same for everyone - which is why we wanted to make the conversion temporary - so it can be converted back for resale.

Thank you so much for all the responses. I had no idea how supportive this community would be. Room design is extremely daunting to me. I just don’t have a knack for me. The room is small. It’s 11x11, has an attached bathroom. Ideally I would love for this to be a cute office that could double as a guest room, if needed. My 16 year old daughter has moved to a bigger room. My oldest son has moved out. My husband is not concerned with the background; of course, I am. He’s a prosecutor and has to “appear” in court. It’s not clear when courts will be back in person. His office is still mostly telecommuting. I’m not sure why I care so much that his background looking professional. Perhaps I really just want to change this room. I’ve been very spoiled in my life and never painted a room myself. My husband has, but doesn’t love the idea of giving up a weekend day(s) to paint a room he has no problem with. (That’s why I’m hopeful I can leave the pink walls.) But my husband would help me paint it if I ask him. I have a small physical issue (with my arms and chest) that makes me feel intimidated to paint, but maybe it’s time for me to try. There is a custom made bed and desk that are only a few years old. Made when my daughter said she would never leave that room. As you can see, the desk does not really have enough workspace for a professional. That’s because it was designed for a kid who had a small room and did her homework at the kitchen table. I can move the bed out but was hopeful I could spruce it up a bit (like the pictures above) and leave it..... but the headboard gives me pause. There is also an antique walnut dresser but I think that can stay(?) I can force myself to remove the glider, to which I do have sentimental attachment.