Teenagers sharing bedroom

Fozz

Hi, does anyone else have teenage daughters sharing a room? My two are 15 and 13, the older one doesn't really mind at all, but the younger one hates it and desperately wants her own space. We can't afford to extend or move to a bigger house, so wondered if anyone has any tips on somehow dividing the room so she feels that she has somewhere of her own.
At the moment she won't invite friends round because of it, I do sympathise but money is very tight and I can't think of an answer at the moment.
( I was an only child and envied my best friend because she shared her room with 2 sisters!!)

[Deleted User]

I shared my room with 4 sisters. It wasn`t all hunk dory but I still remember those late night chats. What about a folding screen in the room?

Becles

You could put a curtain up like hosptial beds. Then they could pull the curtain for privacy, but then push it back when they want company.

huxley

when our boys had to share we but split the room with their combi wardrobes each facing their own bed to try and keep some peace,

newcook

I know you said you cant afford an extention or to move to a bigger house but is there any way you could put some floorboards down in the loft (assuming you have one) and putting a couple of scatter cushions, a light and rugs up there so she (or anyone!) has somewhere to 'escape' to?

I think so long as you are not converting it to an actual room you don't need planning permission

keelykat

Ahh I remember sharing with my older sister....i'm quite a bit younger and so drove her up the wall! The thing is-when you grow up and one of you moves out...it can feel quite lonely and strange! i actually did miss her when my other older sister moved out, and she got her old room.

But back to the question-those room dividers are a good idea, that way that can be opened or closed depending on whether they want bit of privacy or to be together chatting etc.

Good luck!

keely.

ps-my sister now has three kids, two of which will be sharing a room soon-once youngest is properly in her own bed and not in the cot! That'll bring back memories for her too!

Squiggly_Diddly

I had a similar thing with my daughters the same ages - I've got 3 & no matter which combination shared, the arguing drove me to insanity!! Going into the loft wasn't a possibility, can't extend/move so I had a partition wall built in my lounge to create a small downstairs bedroom. It's only 6' wide, by 10 1/2' long - so small, but enough space for a bed/shelves. It's made the world of difference :-) I was lucky that a friend's brother-in-law was a handy DIY'er & did it for £100 labour & I persuaded girls' father to pay for plasterboard/wood which wasn't a fortune & I bought all the nails/screws etc. Means I have a lounge/diner that is only 10 x 12ish, but again, it's just about enough space to live in & the wall can always come down - assuming they can ever afford to leave home!

Fozz

Thanks to every one for replies, am deciding which one to go with - the partition wall is an idea for the bedroom itself as it is a double bedroom. Was it a very long job to do? My husband works long hours so probably hasn't got time to do it himself, so will have to find someone. I guess a handyman/carpenter would do rather than a builder.
Unfortunately we can't use the loft without quite a lot of work as the only entrance is tiny and in my bedroom cupboard!

Outnumberedbysmallpeople

my eldest (i have 4 kids, 2 bedroom house- baby is in with us, older 3 share) has a loft bed with a curtain across making the underneath her private space.

hardpressed

Do they have the biggest bedroom? If not would it be possible for you to swap with them to give a bigger space to devide up?

Mr_Proctalgia

I have seen a bedroom ingeniously split with a stud wall so constructed that on one side was a low level bed and on the other side was a high level bed. I.E> the wall was a zig zag shape - So for allowing for a thick wall you got 2 x 3ft beds and lots of privacy. They did have a joining door though.

HTH