Since before the pandemic many developer-built new construction properties in Miami include a “flex room”, which can be used for a variety of purposes. For many homeowners, these spaces have become offices, or (tiny) guest bedrooms. Or sometimes both, with uncomfortable and unattractive sofa beds and cramped desks.
Pandemic impacts aside, as our lives evolve, our space needs evolve, too. From first time parenting to empty nesting, families change, and unless you are ready (or even want) to buy something new, you will need to find ways to adapt what you have.
In my case, when I bought my 3-bedroom Brickell condo, I was a single, globe-trotting ad executive. My apartment had a “decent” sized living room, but I wanted to make it expansive. I demolished a wall separating the third bedroom from the living room, integrated the two, and created room for a media area. It made a huge difference, and now my living space is wide, open and full of light, and I love it.
Fast forward several years later: marriage and two (absolutely wonderful!) teenage step daughters. When they visited us, it wasn’t as comfortable as I wanted it to be: they were either both crowded into the second bedroom, or one of them had to sleep on one of the couches, with no privacy.
I stumbled across the solution to my problem during a visit to Barcelona. We rented an apartment in the posh Eixample neighborhood, advertised as a 2 bedroom. It actually was a one bedroom; but one side of the large living area had a sliding panel, overlaid (almost invisibly) on a wall, that could slide over at night and create that second sleeping area. And the furniture lay out did not feel like the second space was a second thought, it was all fully integrated.
As soon as I got home, I called my contractor and together we designed a moving panel system with ceiling only tracks, that would allow me to recreate the third bedroom on demand, returning the apartment layout to its original state (well almost, the former closet is now a custom wall unit and media center).
We built sliding panels on each side of the opening joining the two spaces, that look and feel just like walls. I even have art hung on them - that remains when the panels are moved. Close the moving walls and, voilà! Instant guest room!
We are now starting construction on an exciting project that presents a similar challenge; in this case, a two-bedroom apartment on Venetian Causeway. My clients want to expand the living area by opening the second bedroom and integrating the two. One of the clients works from home, and though they only have guests “a few times a year” they want to be able to provide comfortable sleeping quarters for them.
Fifteen years after I fashioned my own solution for the moving partition, there are beautiful products in the market that can accomplish the same, with tons of finish options.
In this case I am working with Bartels, a German door company that also does custom room dividers. Like these:
Bartels is helping me solve problem number 1, opening the space up. Now how do we make this room into a part-time bedroom? Would a sleeper sofa would not do, particularly when all of the furnishings and finishes are high end and sophisticated? Instead, we are installing an Italian wall bed, which is beautiful in its own right, and when not in use, can function brilliantly as a wall unit with a TV screen and all. The best part, none of the décor needs to be taken out or moved when the bed is opened! Check it out:
Closed Wall Unit with TV:
With desk component open:
Transitioning to the bed by pivoting the center panel of the unit
The bed is lowered from the BACK SIDE of the TV Panel
Genius, right?
So now this spare bedroom has 3 functions: home office, media room AND guest room, when needed. Not to mention that the open living space will feel expansive and be full of light!
Stay tuned, the details in this space are GORGEOUS, and I can’t wait to share them with you when the work is done, right before the holidays!
Are you struggling to make better use of your limited space? Or are you an empty nester, who needs to convert a bedroom, but still wants a place for the kids to stay and feel welcome? I can help! Set up a consultation call here.
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