I've reached the limit on what I can do in my bedroom in it's current layout.

I hate my wardrobe/desk/cupboard monstrosity that was in situ when we moved to this house (white plastic coated chipboard i think..... :thumbdwn: )

I've got no room for any more clothing despite a six-monthly cull and clear out of all unused.worn out item of clothing, gadgets, detritus etc.

I need to remodel and work out how best to organise everything, and see what my options are. BUt I don't want to go to B & Q etc and get them doing stuff when I have no intention

a) of doing it in the next 3 weeks

no intention of buying anything from them

c) i hate B & Q anyway, as most of them are clueless.

So, anyone know of any decent, easy to use software, preferably FREE or incredibly minimal cost (like pennies, not pounds, mr tightwad here!) where I can do layouts and then get a rough 3D render of how it will look with everything in place?

Hi,

have you seen/tried povray?

http://www.povray.org/

It's a raytracing program rather than cad, but there are a lot of addons to help you design your "scene" before your render it.

I've not used it for a while, but some of the stuff that people have done are fantastic, have a look at the povray hall of fame here - http://www.povray.org/community/hof/

Cheers

Ian

PS. It's free

Looks complicated.

Donwloading it, so will give it a try.

Was really after something so simple, even I could use it......

I'm sure I've seen Room Design software being given away with PC magazines before now, maybe have a scan of this month's offerings, see if anything would suit?

I'll have a dig about tomorrow, see if I can find any old mag CDs, but I have a feeling I threw them all out :(

Steve

Hi Gwilo

Yours must be the question of the millenium - spacewise...

FWIW "Small footprints" are cumulative ... Can you extend a dressing table with a sold easy-clean kitchen worksurface on top, or set a surface, deskwise, one along one wall (where sockets are) extending out from an existing wardrobe so that it looks joined-up? - B&Q are great for surfaces and stainless steel legs and plenty space underneath for 2-drawers and actual footprints (e.g. size # trainers). Also, you will know that cupboards hold more clothes folded than wardrobes hold hanging (though my heart goes out to your kilt here of course) and don't get me started on things getting fast in drawers.

I know you were hoping for software ideas, but arranging furniture can only succeed overall if you have the furniture to meet your needs. Sort that out first IMO, cos however great it looks, the effect is always ruined by the heaps in the corners and hidden behind the curtains and door

The makeovers on TV stat with emptying the room, and putting back only the things which suit their design - I always wonder what happens when they bring the rest of the stuff back in ....

My 2 cents - and if only we had to find a place for 2 cents

Regards

Mo

Mo,

How true!

I *think* I might have liberated and entire cupboard full of books that haven't been touched in 10+ years (mainly old study texts, long since superceded) which means the books/DVDs, scale model cars etc can go in there, which free's up a wall.

Other than that, in terms if furniture etc, I'm already down to the bear minimum - a bed, a computer desk and low-level filing cabinet that constitutes my work area, a wardrobe, a cupboard with TV and fan on top of that.

Emptying out the room - I'll have to when the time comes, but I'd rather get the layout planned and space utilised efectively before doing that.....quute a Sisephean task with that desk involved........

Wardy - thanks for having a look. I'll plunder my colleagues collection of PC Pro coasters to check too........

Hi Gwilo

Hmmm... A couple of thoughts... Sounds like you should go the "single-most" route - i.e. what single thing if changed would make you the happiest? I guess you've already identified it as being the desk ensemble? Can you separate it into constituent items (e.g. just by buying a couple of new sides) to give you more flexibility on positioning and perhaps chuck some bits out? Can you put the telly on a small wheely trolley or drawer unit (for videos, CDs etc) so that you can have a full-height cupboard, possibly by re-positioning some wardrobe bits?

Can you get a bed with drawers or space under? This is bad Feng Shui, but less bad than sleeping surrounded by a load of clutter. Worse is having high shelves in the bedroom (or dust-collecting shelves at all for that matter).

There's a 45-degree angle rule that I tend to think is paramount for personal movement, e.g. a 45-degree line from the doorway should be clear of obstruction if possible to allow the concept of free-flowing walking space - IOW even though there might be little space, one has to be able to walk through as clearly as possible without having to stop and change foot to get round things.

It's probably the case that one new piece of furniture will always make the difference (if chosen wisely) so you might have to bite the bullet and go for it. If it's a new computer desk, please beware the trap that a computer tower might be too tall for the allotted space. Sounds obvious, but there is a presumption that it will fit into a desk designed for the purpose, but regrettably by trying to make things look compact, the designers assume everyone has mini-towers and scanners/printers without lift-up lids Carry a tape measure at all times, methinks.

Good luck

Mo

Single biggest thing with most impact - remove the 1970's wardrobe. Would involve serious remodelling, but, essentially, that's going to have to happen anyway.

Hit upon the idea of a wall-bed. Folds away during day, which would mean the room looks significantly bigger during daylight hours.

Now, just to find a relatively local and known supplier fitter of this sort of contraption..........

Any ideas on cost? Do they have a weight limit (given I'm fairly hefty etc)?

Anyone got one? Know anywhere?

I'm loathe to deal with outfits in London

Hi

Don't know, but I knew two guys flat-sharing, and never once saw their beds stored, and whilst down, took up more space than a normal bed. Well, with one exception, when a mum was coming to visit, and I gather the beer cans rolled into the mechanism ... They just wanted to get out to work soonest and blow the rest.

A rollout settee bed might be a thought, but a lot of money to get one with decent support. Rather less intimidating if you've had a few in the pub though, plus you could always flake out on the settee

I have seen a fold-up / drop down shelf (a bit like a breakfast bar) with the bracket set out 3 inches or so (i.e. giving that space from the wall), the wall board then carrying "flat-to-wall" folders or mags. I've also seen this idea as a hinged false side onto a wardrobe, again only giving a few inches of space, but can hold a surprising amount. Heath Robinson would be proud, but if it works, then what the hey?

Best

Mo