How to Create a Kids’ Bedroom Out of Thin Air (This Mom Did Exactly That in a 900-Square-Foot Loft!)

When Ella Hall, who owns the upholstery company Stitchroom, was pregnant with her second child, her family’s Brooklyn rental loft required a major makeover.

The family has lived in the rental apartment for several years, and it’s gone through many iterations in that time. Of course, the trickiest challenge has remained adjusting the home to the needs of their growing family (which now includes two adults, three kids, two dogs, and another kid on the way!). “We’ve played musical rooms for many years,” Ella told Apartment Therapy in her House Tour. “Depending on the kids’ ages and sleeping behaviors, we really leaned into transforming the space for what is best during the specific time. It changes yearly, and we’ve made it work!” 

That included building a nursery out of thin air — actually! — when she was literally 9 months pregnant with her second baby. “It was not even a nursery to begin with; it was the corner of a room,” Ella says of the space. “I added a wall and made it its own nursery. There is air and a sprinkler going into that room, so while there are no windows (actually ideal for kids), it was the perfect spot.”

After adding the wall (which Ella DIYed), Ella initially used a curtain to create privacy. But she stumbled on a discarded door outside and “adapted it to fit the opening.” Then she repurposed old IKEA cabinets to create what look like built-ins, and added deceptively stylish sound paneling to block out the noise. 

Meanwhile, in the older kids’ bedroom (which was originally the primary bedroom), Ella designed and built a triple bunk bed, ensuring that each kid has their own space. 

A storage-filled daybed underneath the window adds another sleeping spot — or just a place to curl up with a good book. 

Speaking of storage, there’s no lack of it in the room. There are pegs for the two older children to hang their backpacks or jackets, and even a spot for scooter parking. One closet, two dressers, bookshelves, and strategic under-bed areas provide tons more storage space. 

Ella’s family’s apartment is proof that people can live comfortably and stylishly in small spaces. It’s also a reminder that as your life changes, your house can adapt to your needs — even when you live in a rental. It just requires thinking outside the box.

To see more of this light-filled loft, visit the full House Tour on Apartment Therapy.