So the layout I'm imagining for the converted garage will hopefully consist of two small sleeping areas in the upstairs loft, with a small bathroom and kitchen directly underneath. The remaining 4x6m space that isn't directly under the loft will be the general living area. As with every family we have our own specific needs and circumstances that will dictate our priorities.
For instance we co-sleep with our currently 2.5 year old, and although we would like to move him into his own bed in about 6 months we aren't necessarily in a rush to do so. We're also going to be co-sleeping with our newborn when he/she arrives so this means we don't really need as much sleeping space as most families would. Currently our bedding arrangement is simply the three of us sharing a queen size bed, however when the baby comes we'll probably add a toddler mattress to the side of our current bedding set-up and move the 2.5 year old onto that. Eventually we'll move both kids into the separate sleeping area in the loft, but that won't be anytime in the immediate future.
Since we'll be sharing the same sleeping area we'll also end up sharing the same closet system, so we need to design something that will accommodate clothes for two adults and two children. Luckily we're in a position to be able to design and build something specific to our needs.
I actually had already designed the perfect system for our needs a couple of months back when we were planning on converting a 6x9m shed rather than the garage. Then a couple of weeks ago we were informed that the plan had changed to a garage conversion. After a fair amount of arguing and crying (hey, don't forget that I'm 8 and a half months pregnant!) I finally realised that the new plan will actually give us nearly 100 square feet more space - although the area is a bit more tricky than the shed due to the sloping roof in the loft, plumbing requirements, access to the loft, existing doors and windows, etc.
Unfortunately the location that I think would be the best for the closet system to go in has a sloping roof (sloping from left to right, rather than front to back) so I now have to ditch my original closet design and come up with something new....which I can't do until I have exact dimensions of the loft space :/ The design I'm thinking of consists of mostly hanging space with a few drawers for socks, underwear, hats etc. I much prefer hanging clothes up rather than folding and putting them away - what can I say, I'm the definition of lazy! It's also much easier to hang baby onesies and sleepsuits rather than trying to fold them. And since baby clothes and kids clothes aren't that long we should be able to get away with doubling the hanging rods in their sections.
We're also able to get away without a separate dining area since, unfortunately, we're one of those families that eats more meals in front of the TV than at the dining table. I'm hoping to be able to incorporate a dining table that folds up against the wall or kitchen bench when not in use, but I'm unsure of how we would store the dining chairs when not in use :/ Any suggestions??
Anyway, I have plenty of ideas/problems etc that I'll discuss in the next few posts, but for now I'm exhausted, it's late and there's a block of chocolate in the kitchen calling my name...
