In the heart of Vienna, we recently completed a challenging yet rewarding project for a family of five who needed to adapt their living space as their children grew. The two younger sisters, ages 5 and 10, were sharing a 13 square meter bedroom with bunk beds. As they entered new phases in their lives, it became clear that each girl needed her own space, with privacy, functionality, and style.
The Challenge
Our objectives were clear: to create two distinct areas within the small room while ensuring ample storage for clothes and toys, as well as cozy sleeping arrangements. Each girl required her own ceiling light and switch, a nightstand, and a comfortable twin-sized bed. We were also given a budget of around €10,000, which encompassed the entire design concept, remodel, and procurement of all items.
Innovative Design Solutions
Our design process quickly highlighted the need to think about the space in a more three-dimensional way, focusing on verticality to maximize functionality. Given the budget constraints, we decided to utilize IKEA products for their affordability while combining them with unique pieces to achieve a custom look.
Creating an IKEA hack that was both strong and safe presented another challenge. To ensure structural integrity, we incorporated strengthening metal angles, different legs, and construction wood at the back of each bed. Additionally, we custom-made a handrail for the high bed from panels that were originally designed as a coat rack. This solution allowed us to achieve the desired aesthetic with low cost and minimal effort. We also added oak IKEA countertops on top of the closets to further strengthen the structure and enhance its visual appeal.
We positioned four Platsa closets (120 cm high) innovatively, with two placed directly in front of the other two. By removing the back covering of the front closets, we generated a super deep closet that allowed for regular use in the front and provided additional storage in the back.
Personalized Touches
The color scheme was another critical aspect of the design. The parents were adamant about maintaining a neutral and natural feeling throughout the space. For the main components, we chose a combination of white on white and natural oak wood. To enhance the organic aesthetic, we incorporated leather handles for the closets and drawers, giving everything a more refined and natural touch.
In our professional opinion, using neutral and natural materials in the more substantial elements of the project is a very smart approach, as it allows for greater versatility over time. This choice enables the girls, as they grow, to explore their personal styles by simply adding color or texture to the walls or changing out textiles, without needing to undertake a full redesign.
Understanding the need for each girl to feel a sense of ownership over her space, we also tailored the textiles and color schemes in their personal areas, creating a sense of individuality while keeping a cohesive overall look.
The Results
The end result was a stylish, functional, and cozy room where each girl could enjoy her privacy yet still share a special connection.
Client Feedback
The clients provided heartfelt feedback that highlights our collaboration:
*"We are super happy again! We have now implemented our third residential project with Maria and Ana. Each time, we had many and large wishes for the room design—some of which we thought would never be feasible—and each time, the two ladies have conjured up spaces in our home that we never dared to dream of. This time, we focused on the children's room, which, despite its small size and only one window, needed to be redesigned so that the two children could each have a retreat as well as enough space to play and work, while still having plenty of storage available. We are absolutely thrilled with what could be achieved in this rather dark, small, and inconspicuous room.
The creativity, thinking outside the box, and consideration of style preferences, available budget, and practicality in the individual family life of CX2 is remarkable. We would never have come up with these possibilities on our own, which Ana and Maria conceived and implemented with their team. No matter what they tackle—they are passionate about what they do, and they do it with experience, joy, professionalism, and style! And if unexpected challenges arise during implementation, they find solutions for everything.
So we wholeheartedly recommend them for interior design projects in various areas!"*
The most important lesson we learned during this project is that whenever implementing IKEA hacks, it is crucial to have a skilled carpenter to handle the assembly. Having an expert team was the best decision we made because, despite our weeks of planning, unexpected challenges emerged. Carpenters are trained to think differently and can come up with better solutions on the spot, leading to less material usage. Additionally, we learned more about smart lighting systems, which enabled us to make less costly physical electrical changes to the room.
We’re incredibly proud of what we accomplished for this family and grateful for the opportunity to create a space that not only meets the girls' immediate needs but also allows for growth and personalization in the future. This project has been a testament to the power of thoughtful design and collaboration, ensuring that this room will be a cherished part of their home for years to come.
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