5 Contemporary Designs... & my 1st impressions: 1. I'll stick with a traditional papasan, thanks. Less likely to get poked where it hurts. 2. Wishing had pool noodles right now. Or a life sized Gumby. 3. Oh that looks just like my computer chair! Sans the cage. Maybe I need that part so the "chair" stops mysteriously rolling into other rooms. 4. Whaaaat? *reads article's description* Ohhh! 5. No.

I have only seen one wooden bench top that has managed, over time, to keep the wet out and avoid that black mouldy creepage where the water splashes behind the taps and around tap inserts. It was built by a carpenter and then the owner applied oil to gain the colour desired before applying several coats of marine epoxy (several = at least 5), sanded back before every new layer. It was burn proof and the colour locked in by epoxy coat with no maintenance required (until a visitor put a burning pot on it and left it there while attending to fire on stove, still... only left a black ring. That said, the owner promptly got out the sander and ground back until black ring was no longer charcoal texture, then reapplied oil and layered epoxy until black ring looked like it belonged (can't do that with any other surface I can think of?). After 15 years there is no sight of the insidious black mould from water penetration so I suppose it is the same recipe as with most thing successful projects in life, research, research, preparation, preparation, preparation and don't falter at the finish line.

I would definitely get them full size single beds, whichever solution you go for. You could get them each their own loft bed with heaps of storage and a desk or pullout desk underneath each. There are lots of different variants of these and some would even help to make them each feel like they have their own room or at least space. If you would like bunk beds that can still be their own single beds later, you should look into 'Bunkers' as this is their trademark. They are Australian made and all pine as well so no nasty chemicals. Pretty sure they also have the loft bed options and desks that you could put underneath. They do bunks that can go at right angles to each other with storage underneath in the corner as well so you could put the beds in the corner opposite the wardrobe and desk near the wardrobe instead of under the window if you prefer this to their own loft and desk/storage underneath:-)

I had 3 female joeys and two bedrooms which led to constant 2 -v- 1 situations so nights were generally a game of musical beds. There was always one child who needed time out or was given time out. When we added the extra bedroom, the serenity was bliss. They could still share when they wanted but it was all up to them, it was not forced on them so relationships definitely improved after that. I think the age of the children and the age difference is a very important aspect. Younger children are more than happy to share for the security and comfort when the lights go out. Older children need their space and privacy especially for study. Children after puberty can get extremely sensitive about their bodies and need privacy more than ever in this adjustment period. You cannot expect to put say an 8 year old with a 3 year old - by 8 kids are usually developing attachments to "special" keepsakes, something 3 year olds don't understand and this can cause a lot of resentment when things get broken or trashed. Pre children I always felt them sharing bedrooms would lead to wonderful relationships, the children would learn to share, care and appreciate each other. Now I'm older and wiser, separate bedrooms is sanity for everyone.