As we get closer and closer to finishing the barn, we are also getting closer and closer to the “fun” stuff – furniture and decorating.
Our biggest priority – practicality. With only 320-square-feet to work with, there is little space to waste. Revision – there is no space to waste.
- We need to eat.
- We need to sleep.
- We need to lounge.
- We need to store stuff.
So, we set our minds to furnishing the space – knowing that everything in the space has to have a smallish footprint and be VERY, VERY practical. Bonus points for extra storage and double duty pieces.
Another note about furnishings – pretty much everything in the space is going to be new to us. Because when we build, all of our furniture will come with us to our new house. And we want this space to still serve a purpose – as a guest space, potential office/studio space/whatever. (So, yeah. All of you need to come visit us after 2015.)
All this to say that we picked almost all new furniture for this area so that it will still have a useful existence after we build.
Last weekend, I tricked my dad (Papa Bear) and my brother (Ky-Ky Rena) to help me assemble Swedish furniture. They were overjoyed at the prospect of spending four hours on a Sunday interpreting hieroglyphics. Who wouldn’t love that?
First up – the sofa. And the bed.
Because it’s both things!
After asking you to weigh in about our murphy bed vs. sofa bed battle, my friend Katja commented about the Hemnes daybed by IKEA.
The beauty of this daybed is that it uses two actual twin-sized mattresses (instead of a sofa bed mattress) and it slides out to (almost) king-sized. But during the day, it’s only a twin. So, it can serve as a sofa during the day. And a bed (with real mattresses at night). It is surprisingly simple to pull out and in on the floors.
Plus it has three GIANT drawers underneath. I’ll post again when we decide on mattresses and bedding and the like, but for now, this seems like a great choice for us. It’s relatively unoffensive in the looks department. And it is a three-fer for practicality – sleep, lounge,storage. Bam.
Since we eat at home nearly every night (and morning and noon), we needed somewhere to sit down together. I just wasn’t thrilled with many of the options I’ve seen in small home forums and blogs.
I didn’t want a real table to eat up precious floor space because we would only be spending a little time there each day. Especially since it was not giving any added storage.
So, my original plan was to find a simple, narrow table and add it to casters. It could slide to the wall when not in use (with a bench underneath). I still think this is a pretty good idea …
But then I went to IKEA with Michelle and Shannon, and we found the STENSTORP island. With a purdy butcher block top. I can’t resist butcher block.
It also has added storage. Quite a lot of added storage space actually. Which is a deal-maker for me.
The beauty of the island set up is that it can easily fit all three of us for dinner if I pull it out from the wall (we also have a table on the deck for dining al fresco or when we have guests). But it also can slide against the wall when not in use. And it can provide extra counter space in the kitchen, added storage, and extra work space for computer, crafting, or playing with Henry.
It just seems like a great solution for the barn. (I could see this piece transitioning to my permanent sewing and crafting space after living here, too.)
I also picked up three stools. Honestly – I don’t love them and think I want to find a few metal chairs. But they will work for now and maybe I can sell them if I change my mind.
At this point, it’s sort of looking like a lot of sterile, characterless furniture. But I think as we pull in a few decorative elements, it will feel less boring and cold and more like home.
(I mean, don’t forget that we have to find a place for the monster train table that Henry spends 4 hours every day playing at. I’m crossing that bridge when I get there.)
So, these pieces (in conjunction with the wardrobe) will serve as our main furniture in the barn apartment. We have talked about moving the wardrobe to the bottom of the stairs (for coats, shoes and bags), and then moving a few small dressers into the space instead for clothing. Time will tell.
A positive side to having 320-square-feet to work with. Doesn’t take much money to furnish it.
I’ve been drooling over that bed forever for our baby’s/guest room! But we just received a free futon so my dreams can wait 😉
Sigh. Darn practicality.
I was wondering what you guys were going to do in the bedding department. This is a perfect solution. Did I miss it – does Henry have his own sleep space or will he share with you guys?
We’re looking at a potential situation that will have us downsizing even more than we did when we sold the house, and the daybed and island are perfect options for us if the plan comes through. Thanks for putting it together so the rest of us can use your inspiration.
Henry will have his own space – a tiny little room for his bed and dresser!
It’s going to be an adventure, but should be fun. Interested to learn more about your new journey.
What perfect pieces! Obviously the train table is essential, so good luck with that one. We just bought Kevin one for his birthday, and I have no clue where we will squeeze it in our house!
LOVED this post. I will have to read it several times and just enjoy the excitement of this whole apartment coming together. LOVE your picks. So practical and I can’t wait to see how you dress it all up.
Thank you so much for the encouragement, Katja. I am so glad you pointed me in the direction of the daybed.
I love the Hemnes daybed perfect your space. You guys are so efficient.
Thanks, Julia! It’s actually a really nice piece.
The new bed is genius! I can so see you all lounging on it during the day and its perfect for night too!! Those swedes – so smart! 🙂
I’ve also been in love with the island from Ikea forever! I think its the perfect solution for dining and creates lots of extra storage and great piece to move with you in the future too!
Thanks, Katrina! The island is really nice – super sturdy and looks good, too. I think it would truly be the perfect craft table.
I have that daybed and love it. It should work well for you. I wonder if you could add casters to the island to make it more functional? Both pieces are cute. It’s fun to see things coming together.
Casters are definitely on our list. Although there are sliders on the bottom of the island so our floors won’t be hurt.
I kind of hope you’re getting all these Ikea pieces for free, because they look awesome in the barn and you seriously make Ikea look SO good and SO functional and SO appealing (which I guess it is, but you know what I mean). It’s really coming together! I still love that barn door. So much.
I wish I were getting a kickback for this. 😉 (IKEA, are you out there?) In reality, I just spent an embarrassingly large amount at IKEA. But, I think it’s worth it.
i like your idea of the metal stools, they will seem much more fitting to the space! and once you get a few things on the wall and some textiles etc in there it will feel cozy! When is the potential move in date?
Yeah – if only I didn’t have to drive 3 hours to return the stools. Womp. Womp.
Move in is pretty much based on our house selling.
Great call on the daybed, but where will the second twin mattress go when not in use? It didnt look like a trundle.
That’s what I was wondering? It looks very deep though, do you stack the two mattresses?
I’m curious about this, too!
Me too!
Two great picks! We have friends that bought that same island and they love it!
Have a great weekend Kim!
This is so fun to watch! If ever a project was custom made for an Ikea trip….
I think I somehow neglected to add you to my 2017 road trip plan, which was STUPID because you have a barn for us to stay in! 😉
We lived in a tiny rental when we moved to Illinois. Itty bitty tiny. I bought Sam a train table and just didn’t assemble the base. I slid the top (the tracks were stationary) in and out under his bed when he wanted to play. Sort of like the shortcut-not-made-by-me version of YHLs train board that slides under the couch.
This is a super great idea! Henry’s train table doesn’t have legs that come off (it’s sort of one piece), but it’s definitely worth keeping an eye out for one like that.
Another thought would be to raise Henry ‘ s bed a bit so you can slide the whole train table under it. You guys are so handy you could make your own shorter version of a loft bed with stairs going up. That would make it safer than a ladder and help you to maximize the height of the room as well.
those pieces are just perfect- the bed especially! i was hoping this post was going to be about you planning a trip to sweet clover to furnish it. sigh.