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Jessica DiPonziano
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Small bedroom furniture layout recommendation

Jessica DiPonziano
Pro Member
  • Investor
Posted

I have that awkward middle bedroom in a Philadelphia townhome I don't know what to do with. 

I have 2 bedrooms already with queen beds, the middle room I can fit a queen bed and 2 night stands but not much else, or I can put twins or bunkbeds and have room for dressers and stuff. In the 3.7 feet wall in the square nook is a window that goes pretty close to the floor and an air vent so I can't put anything there. There is just 1 closet with lots of shelves. What should I do?

My audience I was shooting for traveling nurses & displaced families

  • Jessica DiPonziano
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    Catherine McElwain
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    Catherine McElwain
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    • West Chester PA, USA
    Replied

    My opinion is bunk beds.  Either twin over twin, or twin over full.  That would be a good option for the "family" rental if you go that route.  

  • Catherine McElwain
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    Alan Asriants
    Agent
    • Real Estate Agent
    • Philadelphia, PA
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    Alan Asriants
    Agent
    • Real Estate Agent
    • Philadelphia, PA
    Replied

    How about an office work from home space

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    User Stats

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    Jessica DiPonziano
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    Jessica DiPonziano
    Pro Member
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    Quote from @Alan Asriants:

    How about an office work from home space

     I considered that, just wasn't sure if giving up a bedroom was a good idea. 

  • Jessica DiPonziano
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    Erin Spradlin
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    • Real Estate Consultant
    • Colorado Springs, CO
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    Erin Spradlin
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    • Real Estate Consultant
    • Colorado Springs, CO
    Replied

    @Jessica DiPonziano - What about making it flex space? You have a couch that pulls out and a desk (office)? Or a couch that pulls out and a tv (den)? We have this sleeper sofa and we absolutely love it. It's comfortable, and it also has storage. This is what we do with our slightly tighter space. https://www.ikea.com/us/en/p/friheten-sleeper-sectional-3-se...

  • Erin Spradlin
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    Erin Spradlin
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    Erin Spradlin
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    • Colorado Springs, CO
    Replied
    Quote from @Alan Asriants:

    How about an office work from home space

     @Alan Asriants - Agree. You could make it a flex space that has the option for a pull out v. making it a full-time bedroom. 

  • Erin Spradlin
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    Jessica DiPonziano
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    Jessica DiPonziano
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    Replied
    Quote from @Erin Spradlin:

    @Jessica DiPonziano - What about making it flex space? You have a couch that pulls out and a desk (office)? Or a couch that pulls out and a tv (den)? We have this sleeper sofa and we absolutely love it. It's comfortable, and it also has storage. This is what we do with our slightly tighter space. https://www.ikea.com/us/en/p/friheten-sleeper-sectional-3-se...


     Would it be ok to not have dressers and all in the flex space? Just trying to imagine how to compensate for an office, but also when the person uses it full time as a bedroom

  • Jessica DiPonziano
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    Erin Spradlin
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    • Colorado Springs, CO
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    Erin Spradlin
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    • Real Estate Consultant
    • Colorado Springs, CO
    Replied

    @Jessica DiPonziano - You do not need a dresser. You could put shelves with cloth bins on the wall to substitute. Also, if you have a closet, you could put the dresser in there. For smaller spaces, I also remove closet doors so that you have easier access to what's in the closet. (Also, as a real estate agent, I'm seeing this more and more in homes.) Bottom line: I don't think not having a dresser will keep anyone from renting from you. 

  • Erin Spradlin
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    Colleen F.
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    Colleen F.
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    Replied

    @Jessica DiPonziano  a murphy bed if you can do one. The  middle space would be open when the bed is up and you can put a desk in there too. They can use it for excercising when the bed is closed or with a small child they could add a crib. If you are going to use if for a family rental then bunks or a trundle. However no family is going to rent and put someone on a pullout sofa that isn't a temporary guest. Murphy is just a regular matress bed that folds up.  You likely won't find 3 travelers renting together most of the time.  I actually think you need to commit to a type of renter or the murphy gives you flexibility for a smaller family. just a jumble of thoughts on the topic.   It isn't as small as you think, just maybe awkward.

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    Jessica DiPonziano
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    Jessica DiPonziano
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    Replied
    Quote from @Colleen F.:

    @Jessica DiPonziano  a murphy bed if you can do one. The  middle space would be open when the bed is up and you can put a desk in there too. They can use it for excercising when the bed is closed or with a small child they could add a crib. If you are going to use if for a family rental then bunks or a trundle. However no family is going to rent and put someone on a pullout sofa that isn't a temporary guest. Murphy is just a regular matress bed that folds up.  You likely won't find 3 travelers renting together most of the time.  I actually think you need to commit to a type of renter or the murphy gives you flexibility for a smaller family. just a jumble of thoughts on the topic.   It isn't as small as you think, just maybe awkward.


     Yea the awkwardness of the shape is what is killing me. I figured it wouldn't be 3 travelers renting together. I have seen traveling nurses with a partner and a child on some requests, or generally 2 parents and 2 children. It's a 3 bedroom 2 floor house so I figured individual renters is not what to go for. What kind of renter would you look for with a 3bed/1.5ba house?

  • Jessica DiPonziano
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    Colleen F.
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    Colleen F.
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    Replied

    @Jessica DiPonziano  3/1.5 is definitely families but I would inclined to have that room as a flex room, office, child bedroom, excercise room, so the more you can do to make that happen the better.  I think you are looking at insurance placements or relocation, possibly military if you are in that kind of area.  

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    Erin Spradlin
    Pro Member
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    • Colorado Springs, CO
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    Erin Spradlin
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    Replied
    Quote from @Jessica DiPonziano:
    Quote from @Colleen F.:

    @Jessica DiPonziano  a murphy bed if you can do one. The  middle space would be open when the bed is up and you can put a desk in there too. They can use it for excercising when the bed is closed or with a small child they could add a crib. If you are going to use if for a family rental then bunks or a trundle. However no family is going to rent and put someone on a pullout sofa that isn't a temporary guest. Murphy is just a regular matress bed that folds up.  You likely won't find 3 travelers renting together most of the time.  I actually think you need to commit to a type of renter or the murphy gives you flexibility for a smaller family. just a jumble of thoughts on the topic.   It isn't as small as you think, just maybe awkward.


     Yea the awkwardness of the shape is what is killing me. I figured it wouldn't be 3 travelers renting together. I have seen traveling nurses with a partner and a child on some requests, or generally 2 parents and 2 children. It's a 3 bedroom 2 floor house so I figured individual renters is not what to go for. What kind of renter would you look for with a 3bed/1.5ba house?


    Yeah, the shape restrictions are why I've moved away from murphy beds. It is hard to plan a room when you will always be pulling down or putting up a bed. That said, some friends of mine bought a murphy bed on Wayfair that becomes a desk when it is tucked away. I stayed at their place for a week and loved it. 

  • Erin Spradlin
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    Nathan Harden
    • Real Estate Agent
    • Puyallup, WA
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    Nathan Harden
    • Real Estate Agent
    • Puyallup, WA
    Replied

    Why not a futon? Create like a multi purpose use of the space so somebody can use that room as their living room and also their bedroom. This will create a space that feels larger because there are many possibilities that come with having a shape shifting bed... haha 

    Futon is a multifunctional tool that isn't utilized as much as it should be.

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    Colleen F.
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    Colleen F.
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    • Narragansett, RI
    Replied

    @Erin Spradlin the biggest issue with a murphy is the wall space and height, you have it or you don't. And sometimes you are blocked because the wall you need to put it on has a window.    If you are using one all the time you leave it down but most people if they put one in it is because you want to use the room for something else. They are not heavy. Looking at your room that 3 foot 7 bump out would fit a desk or dresser unless it is a closet. You just have to think smaller furniture.  I have seen the desk murphy and it is nice but my husband just made us two regular murphy's from a kit. Or another idea is put a single over queen bunk.  Don't like them but they are versatile. @Nathan Harden

    @Nathan Harden  I just know you are one of those hard mattress people. Futons are just too uncomfortable. However they could win out over some pull outs. 

    User Stats

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    Eric Greenberg
    • Investor
    • Philadelphia, PA
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    Eric Greenberg
    • Investor
    • Philadelphia, PA
    Replied

    I would only do a queen bed if you are renting by the room to traveling professionals. What percentage of the time  are you renting to families now? Most of our guests are looking for an office for WFH

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    Jeremy Jareckyj
    • Real Estate Agent
    • Salt Lake City, UT
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    Jeremy Jareckyj
    • Real Estate Agent
    • Salt Lake City, UT
    Replied

    Adding a day bed could allow it to be more of a flex space with a bed as those above have previously mentioned. 

    I wouldn't worry too much about a dresser if there is a closet already

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    Jessica DiPonziano
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    Jessica DiPonziano
    Pro Member
    • Investor
    Replied
    Quote from @Nathan Harden:

    Why not a futon? Create like a multi purpose use of the space so somebody can use that room as their living room and also their bedroom. This will create a space that feels larger because there are many possibilities that come with having a shape shifting bed... haha 

    Futon is a multifunctional tool that isn't utilized as much as it should be.


     I've used futons before but despite getting thick mattresses I haven't found them all that comfortable. Is there a particular one you recommend?

  • Jessica DiPonziano
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    Jessica DiPonziano
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    Jessica DiPonziano
    Pro Member
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    Replied
    Quote from @Eric Greenberg:

    I would only do a queen bed if you are renting by the room to traveling professionals. What percentage of the time  are you renting to families now? Most of our guests are looking for an office for WFH


     I haven't started renting yet. I am getting my house ready. I do not plan to rent by the room

    Yea as someone who works from home I am a fan of there at least being a desk to work out which i plan to have. Looks like leaning towards a trundle bed with a desk in this room might be the best option?

  • Jessica DiPonziano
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    Braeden Cobb
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    Braeden Cobb
    • Investor
    • Scottsdale, AZ
    Replied

    Hey Jessica, if you are still looking for options we had a room in our vacation rental that has an awkward layout and we wanted to provide another bed to boost occupancy. We went with an electric murphy bed that actually rolls in and out of cabinetry. We have had the beds installed for about 4 years now and the reviews are great. PM if you'd like more details!

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    Sara Plaisted
    • Interior Decorator
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    Sara Plaisted
    • Interior Decorator
    • San Diego, CA
    Replied

    @Braeden Cobb I'm curious about the mattresses... do they retreat back into the space on the other side of the wall (laying flat?), or do they roll/fold up behind the cabinetry on the wall (vertical)?  I just heard someone trying to explain this last month.  Thank you!

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    Braeden Cobb
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    Braeden Cobb
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    Replied
    Quote from @Sara Plaisted:

    @Braeden Cobb I'm curious about the mattresses... do they retreat back into the space on the other side of the wall (laying flat?), or do they roll/fold up behind the cabinetry on the wall (vertical)?  I just heard someone trying to explain this last month.  Thank you!

    Hi! They roll up behind the cabinetry! They only need about 24 inches of depth to fit. If you would like more information feel free to pm me :)

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    Sara Plaisted
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    Sara Plaisted
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    Replied

    @Braeden Cobb Very cool!  Thank you!