My friend asked me a few weeks ago to help her layout her kids room so they could fit two beds into one bedroom. She lives in a 2 bedroom place, and the kids are moving out of cribs, so some creativity was needed to fit all their toys, belongings, and 2 beds into 1 shared bedroom for the kids. She thinks like I do, in that a bunk bed system wouldn’t be the best fit for a 4 year old and 2 year old. I wouldn’t move my kids into bunk beds and I wouldn’t want anyone else’s kids that age in bunk beds. After some thought and searching online I realized the best bet would be a day bed, with a roll out twin trundle-bed under it.
I really like shopping on the local buy, sell, trade Facebook pages for my area. The Southlake page has over 20,000 members (we have about 27,000 actually residing in the community). It is like Facebook, but more localized. AND you can view the profile of the person you are buying from or selling to, making the transactions a lot more comfortable for both sides. I sell on these pages and typically post items as “PPU” which means porch pick up. I put the items on the front porch before they are scheduled to pick up and then they leave the money under the front mat. Sometimes I am home, sometimes I am not, doing the transactions this way makes things easier. I have never had any problems with this system so far!
I used the buy, sell, trade pages to find things for my friend’s apartment when she moved there with her two children about a year ago. There are some awesome deals on these pages! I also like to find “project pieces”. Those items that may be a little worn or run down, but can be restored to like new or better! I actually found the twins’ toddler beds on a Dallas area buy, sell, and trade page for Mothers with Twins. Someone in my Moms of Multiples club knew I was looking for toddler beds, so they tagged me in the other Mom’s posting who was selling the twin toddler beds on Facebook. I went to the page and sure enough I found great project pieces of furniture. A bit of chalk paint, time, and effort, and the beds are now red, vintage looking beds that I love!
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- Side of toddler bed before
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- During
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- After
My friend’s bed project was even easier! They own a black dresser and nightstand, so I figured if we found a bed of another color, we could paint it! Which is exactly what I did. I found someone selling a white day bed and a mattress that was only used on the trundle for guests (so great shape). I picked the items up one day…(of course I had to remove all 3 car seats. That was honestly the toughest part of the project. That and of course, putting them back in afterwards).
The next day I spray painted the bed black. Easy enough, since the bed was metal. It went on easily. Two thin coats, to ensure no runs in the paint. (I set it up on the back patio first to make sure all the pieces were there and the bed was in good working order).
The paint I used was a paint and primer in one, making the job easy. I bought three cans from Home Depot for under $4 each.
I have mentioned in previous postings that I really like using spray paint these days. They have reformulated spray paints so they cover better, include primer, and many kinds work on plastics! I have been pleased with the recent projects I have done with spray paints. This one too!
The bed stayed outside to completely dry while I watched my kids play outside. I did this project during the week of Christmas which was unseasonably warm. It was in the 70’s the day I did this project!
I took the refurbished bed, like-new mattress, and all new bedding over to her place on Christmas Eve morning. We are two handy women I have to say. We unassembled the crib (then posted it on the buy, sell, trade pages and it sold that day), carried the new bed into her place, and assembled it all on our own. Above is her son climbing into his new bed. He was excited! I am always happy to help out my hard-working Friend who is amazing to me. She works two jobs for long hours, provides for her children, and is a great Mom!! I think single Moms like her deserve a trophy or award of some sort for being amazingly strong, capable, and especially hard-working.
