My Houzz: A Shared Boys’ Bedroom That’s Right on Track
This room has fun and functional souped-up style for two car-obsessed brothers in San Francisco
Margot Hartford
March 10, 2016
Houzz Contributor. Interiors photographer in the Bay Area for over 15 years. Publications include Veranda, California Home & Design, Sunset Magazine and Better Homes and Gardens.
Houzz Contributor. Interiors photographer in the Bay Area for over 15 years. Publications... More
San Francisco homeowners Jane Guan and Michael Huang faced a design dilemma common to many parents in small homes. Their two young sons, who share a bedroom, were transitioning out of their cribs. The couple enlisted the help of designer Alina Druga, who came up with practical layouts and storage solutions that would fit a small budget.
The two boys love all things race car-related, so once that theme was agreed on, the rest of the decisions fell into place. Color and design followed the rules of the road, where black and white, cars, and flag decor dominate and where playful removable decals wind their way around the space.
The two boys love all things race car-related, so once that theme was agreed on, the rest of the decisions fell into place. Color and design followed the rules of the road, where black and white, cars, and flag decor dominate and where playful removable decals wind their way around the space.
Bedroom at a Glance
Who lives here: Jane Guan and Michael Huang; sons Lucas, 7, Riley, 5; and their Jack Russell terrier, Starbuck
Location: Potrero Hill neighborhood of San Francisco
Size: 1,600 square feet (148.6 square meters); three bedrooms, 3½ bathrooms
Year built: 2004
Designer: Alina Druga
BEFORE: The bedroom the two boys share originally housed a crib and a temporary bed. It’s a large room, but the space wasn’t being used efficiently.
Who lives here: Jane Guan and Michael Huang; sons Lucas, 7, Riley, 5; and their Jack Russell terrier, Starbuck
Location: Potrero Hill neighborhood of San Francisco
Size: 1,600 square feet (148.6 square meters); three bedrooms, 3½ bathrooms
Year built: 2004
Designer: Alina Druga
BEFORE: The bedroom the two boys share originally housed a crib and a temporary bed. It’s a large room, but the space wasn’t being used efficiently.
AFTER: The updated bedroom now shows off its size. A bunk bed with storage drawers frees up the floor for play, while toys and other belongings stay clean and organized thanks to bookshelves, file boxes and expandable storage containers.
Bed: Bunkbed King; Stockholm rug: Ikea
Bed: Bunkbed King; Stockholm rug: Ikea
The new desk is long enough to allow for two work stations so each boy has his own space.
Desk and shelves: Ikea; red race car decal: StikEez via Amazon
Desk and shelves: Ikea; red race car decal: StikEez via Amazon
Five-year-old Riley reads next to bookshelves that hold up the desk. Books and toys are stored at a low level so the boys can easily put their things away.
A checkered flag decal welcomes visitors to the boys’ room. The concept behind the design was to create a fun and functional space that Lucas and Riley can enjoy now and grow into.
Checkered decal: StickerBrand
Checkered decal: StickerBrand
Removable racetrack wall decals wind their way playfully around the bed.
ReStick Race Ya decals: Blik via Pokkadots
ReStick Race Ya decals: Blik via Pokkadots
Small shelves display race cars between a dresser and the bunk bed. Even the boys’ piggy banks are car-themed.
The clever use of a checkered wallpaper border turns a plain white lamp and tissue box into a racing flag design.
Wallpaper border: Rolling Borders via Amazon
Wallpaper border: Rolling Borders via Amazon
BEFORE: The boys share the bedroom’s single closet, which previously had a standard-height sliding door. The interior of the closet is tall, and Guan wanted to take full advantage of its height.
AFTER: She started by having custom closet doors built. The doors are plywood, and baseboard frames hide their seams. The plywood was then painted with chalkboard paint to give the boys a drawing surface.
Chalkboard paint: Rust-oleum via Home Depot
Chalkboard paint: Rust-oleum via Home Depot
Inside, every usable space is neatly packed with clothes and toys. The storage container designs are neutral enough to last into the boys’ teen years.
Chevron faux jute storage boxes: HouseCandie via Walmart
Chevron faux jute storage boxes: HouseCandie via Walmart
Behind the bedroom door and beside the bathroom entrance is the perfect little space to hang hats and backpacks.
Black lamps sport stripes of white tape to make them fit the black and white theme.
Kvart lamps: Ikea
Kvart lamps: Ikea
Color is incorporated into the design with accessories. Collapsible storage hampers tucked under the desk look good and provide extra storage. The room was carefully laid out so that everything has its place. The pencil bins came from the kitchen section of Ikea.
Rail and plastic bins: Ikea; pop-up hampers: Redmon via Amazon
Rail and plastic bins: Ikea; pop-up hampers: Redmon via Amazon
Although the living room is furnished for adults, the cabinet below the television stores additional games and toys.
Besta shelves: Ikea; sofa and gray chair: Funky Furniture
Besta shelves: Ikea; sofa and gray chair: Funky Furniture
Lucas lines up his cars, which are stored in the living room in soft storage bins.
Storage bins: Bed Bath & Beyond
Storage bins: Bed Bath & Beyond
Huang, left, and Guan are happy with their sons’ redesigned shared space and feel that it will work for them for years to come.
My Houzz is a series in which we visit and photograph creative, personality-filled homes and the people who inhabit them. Share your home with us and see more projects.
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Apartments | Barn Homes | Colorful Homes | Contemporary Homes | Eclectic Homes | Farmhouses | Floating Homes | Guesthouses | Homes Around the World | Lofts | Midcentury Homes | Modern Homes | Ranch Homes | Small Homes | Townhouses | Traditional Homes | Transitional Homes | Vacation Homes
My Houzz is a series in which we visit and photograph creative, personality-filled homes and the people who inhabit them. Share your home with us and see more projects.
Browse more homes by style:
Apartments | Barn Homes | Colorful Homes | Contemporary Homes | Eclectic Homes | Farmhouses | Floating Homes | Guesthouses | Homes Around the World | Lofts | Midcentury Homes | Modern Homes | Ranch Homes | Small Homes | Townhouses | Traditional Homes | Transitional Homes | Vacation Homes
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Love the organization and design, but my favorite part is the flexibility. The majority of the race car theme decorations can be easily removed and adapted for changing interests as the boys mature, without having to rip out major portions of the room. Excellent forethought & design!
That is indeed an awesome room.
I would love to get the item number for the desk and storage cubbies that are pictured with it. I have looked at Ikea online and am having a hard time finding it. Is it actually two desks in the picture?