https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Mon, 20 Apr 2026 21:04:44 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/guest-room-and-playroom-locations#post-2928261 Mon, 15 May 2023 21:29:13 +0000 HappyBaker 2928261@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@periwinklebee: good to know your attic guest room isn’t super well received! Ours has its own heat zone so luckily that wouldn’t be an issue but yea the stairs at night would be annoying. </p> <p>@hilary: great points, I think we’ll need to live there a few months at least to figure how we want it to flex for us. </p> <p>I think what I’d rather do is just give one of my kids the attic and make the guest room a regular 2nd floor bedroom, but I’m pretty sure they’d then all mutiny because the attic is a huge cool space! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/guest-room-and-playroom-locations#post-2928254 Fri, 12 May 2023 07:48:41 +0000 hilary 2928254@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We've had both set ups and the basement was better primarily because of the separate bathroom. We now have an attic guest space with the tiniest bathroom ever up there. The stairs are steeper so grandparents won't be able to do it forever, but I wanted a bathroom on same level as where we'd have guests sleep. One other thing is it's also my office....I fully believe in making the house for the 90% of the time when it's just your family and figuring out how to flex spaces when you have guests. </p> <p>Ikea has some great pull out couch/beds and if you have space to store a rolled up 3 inch foam topper, it feels like a normal bed. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/guest-room-and-playroom-locations#post-2928249 Tue, 09 May 2023 19:48:52 +0000 periwinklebee 2928249@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Our setup is an attic guest bedroom; guests share the kids bathroom that's down a flight of stairs. Our guest room is super cute and it's a nice quiet, private space, but to be honest, people hate it. Going down a flight of stairs to use the bathroom at night is a pain, especially for older guests but to an extent for everyone. Also, in the summer, heat rises, and to get the temperature comfortable for people up there, we effectively freeze our kids out of their rooms, as it is the same hvac zone. Our basement is unfinished, so I don't have the alternative. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/guest-room-and-playroom-locations#post-2928244 Tue, 09 May 2023 07:32:29 +0000 Lahela017 2928244@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>It sounds like your mother in law is a pretty frequent guest. I think I'd put the guest room in the basement so it's with the bathroom in that case. Maybe move it to the attic later? That's a tough one.</p> <p>If it's in the basement, you could add a giant bookcase or fabric wall to sperate out the space? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/guest-room-and-playroom-locations#post-2928241 Mon, 08 May 2023 14:05:26 +0000 HappyBaker 2928241@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@catgirl: good point about the stairs and it not having to be permanent! The only older person who stays with us is still pretty spry but that definitely might be a consideration in the future. </p> <p>@LadyDi: Murphy bed is a good idea, we have a pull out couch now but the mattress isn’t very comfortable and I’d love a real mattress for my mother in law. We have her stay with us for a week or so every two months-ish.</p> <p> @karenbme: lol at the sex bed but it makes me feel better your friend stayed a virgin :happy: </p> <p> @ElbieKay: that’s a great idea!</p> <p>Thank you all! I love hearing other people’s opinions on house stuff because everyone has a different frame of reference! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/guest-room-and-playroom-locations#post-2928240 Mon, 08 May 2023 13:52:41 +0000 ElbieKay 2928240@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Assuming that you have house guests infrequently… Pullout or Murphy bed in the basement. Proper guest room in the attic. Maximized options while still keeping the kids in the basement most of the time. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/guest-room-and-playroom-locations#post-2928239 Mon, 08 May 2023 13:42:05 +0000 karenbme 2928239@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@HappyBaker: FWIW, I had a friend growing up with a similar set up—bed in finished basement hang out space, and we always joked that it was “the sex bed” in high school, but to my knowledge very little happened in that bed and the girl whose house is was was a virgin until college. You could also always get a pull out for the playroom if the aesthetics of it are what’s hanging you up. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/guest-room-and-playroom-locations#post-2928238 Mon, 08 May 2023 13:15:46 +0000 LadyDi 2928238@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would be inclined to put the guest room where the bathroom is, but I also like basements as play spaces. How often will you have overnight guests? You could get a murphy bed for the basement and it could still be the play area AND a guest space when needed. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/guest-room-and-playroom-locations#post-2928237 Mon, 08 May 2023 05:21:47 +0000 catgirl 2928237@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Will your guests typically be older or younger? I ask because many of our guests are our parents age and they would want to do the least amount of stairs possible. So if going to the basement is only one flight of stairs but going to the attic is two, I would put the guest room in the basement. </p> <p>In general I would prefer the kid space be in the basement for noise reasons. But I do think, when you have an extra bathroom, it is nice for guests to have their own. Especially since there isn't a bathroom at the attic level, it could be disruptive in the middle of the night or early morning to have people moving up and down from the attic. </p> <p>But also, think realistically about how often you will have guests. Your immediate family lives in the house every day and should use the house in the way that best works for you.<br /> And on that note, I would remind yourself that whatever you choose doesn't have to be permanent. If you set it up and it isn't working, you can flip the spaces. And your preferences might change as your kids ages change. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/guest-room-and-playroom-locations#post-2928236 Sun, 07 May 2023 20:47:54 +0000 HappyBaker 2928236@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@erinbaderin: the basement is just a giant open space. It would be big enough to be both but since it’s all just open is kind of weird. Maybe I’ll look into adding a wall to make an actual bedroom. I hesitate to put a bed down there with it all open because I can’t imagine someday having teens hanging out with a bed haha. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/guest-room-and-playroom-locations#post-2928235 Sun, 07 May 2023 20:22:51 +0000 erinbaderin 2928235@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Is there an actual bedroom in the basement, or would the full basement be the guest room? I ask because I think the basement could be both if there’s an enclosed bedroom. I think it would be preferable to have a bathroom just for guests, but I also think having the kids in the basement might contain the noise a little. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/guest-room-and-playroom-locations#post-2928234 Sun, 07 May 2023 07:12:21 +0000 HappyBaker 2928234@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We are moving to a much bigger house soon and I’m struggling with figuring out where to put the guest room and playroom. We’ll have a large finished basement with a full bath down there, and a large finished attic. Part of me would prefer the guest room in the attic and playroom in the basement because throwing all the kids downstairs would mean they don’t need to traipse through the upstairs to get there. But then guests would share our kids bathroom on the 2nd floor. Which I think is fine but seems weird we have another full bath we probably won’t really use. Anyone with a similar setup, what do you have in each space? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/getting-through-a-renovation#post-2927871 Tue, 10 Jan 2023 12:32:37 +0000 caitcat 2927871@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@hilary: Thank you so much! Our contractor just made the same sink suggestion (and it even sounded like he might be able to rig something up fairly early on for us, which would be amazing). </p> <p>All of our appliances/new fixtures/etc. are all in already so I'm grateful for that. I'd heard such horror stories of lead times that I ordered them late last spring. I was warned they still might not come in in time, but amazingly they came through a few months early. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/getting-through-a-renovation#post-2927870 Tue, 10 Jan 2023 09:58:39 +0000 hilary 2927870@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We've done lots of renovations over the years so I have a stack....<br /> -Any chance you and kids can go to your parents house for a long weekend at the messiest/tear down part of the reno? Being able to disappear the kids for that part is extremely helpful.<br /> -If you have a grill, that was critical for us and we're crazy and grill all through the winter.<br /> -Keep your old sink and as soon as possible install it on a sheet of plywood or something so you minimize how long your are kitchen sinkless. Sometimes counter tops take forever and having a janky counter for at least a bit of the kitchen is better than none.<br /> -And kind of joking but not....plan for it take twice as long and be pleasantly surprised if it's closer to what was estimated. Mentally preparing for a longer run really helps my mental state when we encounter set backs rather than being super tied to a specific timeline.<br /> -If possible shop for finishes/appliance that are available. We saved a ton of time by buying what was in stock/readily available rather than picking something very specific and then having to wait forever. (Example is a friend of mine had a fridge they wanted and specifically built cabinetry to fit that fridge.....took 18 months for that specific fridge to come in and it was oddly sized so couldn't easily sub it out.<br /> Good luck! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/getting-through-a-renovation#post-2927869 Mon, 09 Jan 2023 15:16:28 +0000 azbaby 2927869@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@caitcat: Once I could make Salmon,Brocolli,and potatoes I was much happier:). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/getting-through-a-renovation#post-2927868 Mon, 09 Jan 2023 15:01:40 +0000 caitcat 2927868@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@azbaby: Yeah, I can definitely see getting tired of take out. We don't do much takeout typically, so I'm kind of excited for it at first...but I'm going to missed home cooked meals. I don't have an instant pot (mainly because of limited space in our current kitchen), but it's been on my "maybe get" list. My sister in law loves her and is always sending me instant pot recipes, so I could see taking this as a chance to try some of the lower prep ones. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/getting-through-a-renovation#post-2927866 Mon, 09 Jan 2023 10:52:41 +0000 azbaby 2927866@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Do you have an instant pot and air fryer? We were stuck in a similar position and after about 2 weeks got them and it improved our lives so much.. Take out gets boring quickly. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/getting-through-a-renovation#post-2927865 Mon, 09 Jan 2023 09:48:49 +0000 caitcat 2927865@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@togetherthroughlife: That's a good point. Might be a time saver! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/getting-through-a-renovation#post-2927863 Mon, 09 Jan 2023 09:02:06 +0000 togetherthroughlife 2927863@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Could you find a laundromat close to home instead of going to your parents’ for laundry? You’ll be able to knock out the equivalent of about 6 loads in 1 single load at a laundromat. Much quicker! And not an hour away! :) I agree with you that takeout is gonna be the way to go. Good luck!!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/getting-through-a-renovation#post-2927850 Fri, 06 Jan 2023 11:01:54 +0000 caitcat 2927850@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm curious if anyone has tips or advice about what worked well (or didn't?) for you to get through a major home renovation with kids. We're starting a big project to expand our kitchen, and move our laundry room and a bathroom later this month and I'm starting to panic about how much this is going to upend my house. I knew it was coming...but now that it's almost here, the reality is setting in. </p> <p>We're going to set up a temporary "kitchen" in our living room with our old fridge, microwave and a toaster oven, crock pot, and maybe an induction burner. I've frozen some easy-to-reheat meals ahead of time, but not much. I'm anticipating eating a lot of takeout or easy to prep/clean up meals. For laundry, I'm hoping we're only out of a functional washer/dryer for a month or so, but I'm planning to go to go to my parents' (about an hour away) a couple times to do laundry in the meantime. I think the whole project will be 8-9 weeks total. </p> <p>I'd love to hear anything that helped you through reno projects. I'm so excited about the project, but dreading getting to the other side of it! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/humidifier-recommendation#post-2927837 Fri, 30 Dec 2022 09:36:24 +0000 caitcat 2927837@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MACSUNSHINE: Thank you! Being able to put parts in the dishwasher sounds so convenient. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/humidifier-recommendation#post-2927836 Thu, 29 Dec 2022 20:23:04 +0000 MACSUNSHINE 2927836@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Honeywell Cool Moisture Humidifier, Medium Room, 1 Gallon Tank, White – Invisible Moisture Humidifier for Baby, Kids, Adult Bedrooms – Quiet and Easy to Clean with UV Technology for Everyday Comfort <a href="https://a.co/d/5fA1y49" rel="nofollow">https://a.co/d/5fA1y49</a></p> <p>We switched this one and use it in all 3 kids rooms. I like it, you can put almost all parts in dishwasher. The filters seem to help with build up in the machine.</p> <p>Have you tried using these in the tank, they seem to help? Protec Humidifier Tank Cleaner – Fight Humidifier, 1 Count (Pack of 1) <a href="https://a.co/d/aGGlXwj" rel="nofollow">https://a.co/d/aGGlXwj</a> </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/humidifier-recommendation#post-2927833 Wed, 28 Dec 2022 11:26:17 +0000 caitcat 2927833@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Lahela017: thanks! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/humidifier-recommendation#post-2927831 Tue, 27 Dec 2022 20:36:58 +0000 Lahela017 2927831@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I know this has mixed reviews, but we've used it for years and really like it. I just let it completely dry out every few days and haven't had any issues with cleaning it. We use it in the kids room.</p> <p><a href="https://www.target.com/p/safety-1st-ultrasonic-360-176-cool-mist-humidifier-seafoam/-/A-52286946" rel="nofollow">https://www.target.com/p/safety-1st-ultrasonic-360-176-cool-mist-humidifier-seafoam/-/A-52286946</a> </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/humidifier-recommendation#post-2927830 Tue, 27 Dec 2022 19:18:29 +0000 caitcat 2927830@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Lahela017: Oh, good question. I’m open to either, but ideally cool mist so I wouldn’t need to worry quite as much in places the kids hang out. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/humidifier-recommendation#post-2927827 Tue, 27 Dec 2022 16:02:02 +0000 Lahela017 2927827@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Do you know if you want a traditional hot water one, or a cool mist one? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/humidifier-recommendation#post-2927823 Tue, 27 Dec 2022 10:46:11 +0000 caitcat 2927823@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Have you found a humidifier that is easy to fill and easy to keep clean? I would love some recommendations! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/ikea-kura-loft-for-older-kids#post-2927536 Thu, 06 Oct 2022 06:14:12 +0000 HappyBaker 2927536@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Funny no one seems to use the underneath part! Good point though @Lowell if all his mess is under there it will bother me less than right now when it’s all over the floor! Im deciding between the Kura which has 30” underneath or another that has 37” underneath, the 37” would at least allow me to put his toy shelf partially under it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/ikea-kura-loft-for-older-kids#post-2927535 Wed, 05 Oct 2022 22:06:00 +0000 Lowell 2927535@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Both my kids (7 and almost 10) have been in the lofted version of this bed since they were about 3.5. They have never really used the hangout space under the bed, which I always thought was too bad because it seems so cozy and I would have loved something like that as a kid! But I love the storage under there and my personal rule is that it can look like a bomb went off under there most of the time as long as the rest of the room is pretty picked-up, so maybe the major advantage for us is that it helps corral random stuff and reduce arguments? Both my kids love their lofted beds and while I have told them both they can switch whenever, neither wants to at all! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/ikea-kura-loft-for-older-kids#post-2927534 Tue, 04 Oct 2022 20:42:21 +0000 erinbaderin 2927534@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We have it for my third grader. He really never uses the lower space - I had visions of him hanging out reading down there but it doesn’t happen. We also have a floor mattress down there and for a lot of the pandemic my younger son was sleeping there, but now it’s mainly a dog bed. </p>