Before & After: Office to Out-of-this-World Kid’s Room

8-year-old Jake had been sharing a room with his older brother until the family decided it was time for each of the boys to have their own space. Their home had a small office that might serve for a third bedroom… after a few little adjustments. 

Okay, maybe a few big adjustments. Jake’s parents wanted a place where he could sleep, play, study, and host sleepovers — you know, kid things — but the room’s small footprint made this a bit of a challenge. Mom and Dad chose to bring in designer Elizabeth Aurandt, of Brooklyn-based mercer INTERIOR, to help make the most of the small space. 

I think you’ll agree that it’s a pretty dramatic change. Built-ins keep everything neat. The portal to another dimension keeps everything fun. (It’s actually a wall decal — stick at your own risk.) 

And then there are my favorite elements —  that carpet and the painted ceiling. It’s the perfect solution for a small-space kid’s room: the walls stay light, allowing for a feeling of spaciousness, but there’s still plenty of color. Elizabeth used a combination of Jake’s favorite colors for the room. The carpet is made of FLOR tiles in different colors and piles, making for an interesting pattern and interesting texture. 

On the other side of the room is a desk…

Which folds down to reveal a Murphy bed (from Resource Furniture). Folding up the bed saves lots of space for playing during the day, and at night, there’s even room for a guest — the bench cushion in the top photo can be removed and unfolded to serve as a mattress for a friend. All these clever solutions add up to make this little room a big success. 

To see more photos and read more about the project, visit the project page on The Sweeten. If you’re looking for an architect, designer or contractor in the New York area, or just want to see more renovating project, check out The Sweeten’s main page. 

(Images: Emily Gilbert Photography via The Sweeten)