Braylen’s First Big Boy Room: A Space-Loving Kid’s Dream Come True

From the moment we moved into this house, I knew I wanted to do something cool with the kids’ rooms when the timing was right. First came the nursery… then the toddler transition room… and eventually it was time for the big one: Braylen’s very first big boy room.

I say first because I know this room will go through about a thousand iterations as time goes by and his interests shift. But for now? Space is the star of the show. This kid has been obsessed for a while—he’s memorized all the planets in order and can rattle off fun facts like which one is hottest, coldest, biggest, etc. And yes, he will absolutely correct you if you get something wrong.

I wanted him to have a room that felt completely his own. Somewhere fun. Somewhere he could play for hours. Somewhere with a desk to draw all of his “alphabet lores” (IYKYK). Basically, a room that would blow his little 5-year-old mind.

And with everything we were doing for Maxwell… plus baby Brave on the way… I wanted him to have something special to look forward to too.

Why a Store-Bought Bed Just Didn’t Cut It

I searched everywhere for the “easy” route—a pre-made bunk bed that checked all the boxes.Modern style?Safe for kids and strong enough for an adult?Flexible enough to grow with him?

Apparently, I was asking for the moon. Every option missed something, and I realized I had a choice:Lower my expectations… or design the bed myself.

You already know how that ended.

Designing the Bunk Bed of His Dreams

I started doodling in a notebook—sketching out features, layouts, and every little detail I wanted. A friend told me about SketchUp, so I binge-watched a couple of YouTube tutorials and taught myself the basics. I also bought a simple plan on Etsy that was maybe 60% there design-wise, and used it as a jumping-off point to figure out structure and scale.

Usually, people build from someone else’s plan. But this time I got to design the whole thing, sketch it out, create the woodworking plans, and actually build it myself. One project. Start to finish. And honestly? I’m really proud of it.

The best part was getting Braylen involved. He helped me with little steps here and there and absolutely loved feeling like part of the process. (Though, in classic Braylen fashion, he still happily sleeps in our room or Maxwell’s any chance he gets.)

A Family Effort — and a Special Dedication

Throughout the project, I constantly consulted my Uncle Gene. He takes after my grandfather with the same “builder gene” I like to think I inherited, too. He helped me think through the structure, choose the right screws, and make sure every part was safe and solid.

He passed away unexpectedly before he ever got to see the finished room.But this project — this little labor of love for my space-obsessed boy — is absolutely shaped by him and my carpenter guardian angels: my Grandad Clyde and his firstborn son, also Clyde.

Every time I look at this bunk bed, I'm reminded of the creative builder in me, inspired by my past.