How can a convert a dining room to a bed room? Temporary only?

Question

I live in a 1 bed room apt with my two kids. I want to give them the bedroom and "convert" the 10x10 dining room into a bed room for us. Of course I can not build real walls, as it is a rental. I need to make two "walls" to close it off. The only idea that I have come up with is to buy wardrobes and use them as walls. Any idea's would be great! Thanks for your help!!!

Answer 1

After reading your question I have come up with a few different ideas for you.  Each sorta depends on your skill with a tape measure, drill and tin snips.

Now I don’t know what the rules of your apartment are but my first suggestion is build a temporary stud wall. This can be achieved in two different ways.  I going to figure that your ceiling heights are 8’ high, if they are not these ideas would still work but the wall will not reach the ceiling of course.

My first suggestion is going to your local building supply store ( home depot, lowes, menards).  Ask for some 3 ½” light guage metal studs and track. Surprisenly the track come in 10’ lengths only so this should work well for you.  Get 8’ metal studs, a pair of tin snips (as you can cut these components by hand without a saw, box of ½” zip screws (self tapping), a metal drill bit and three 8’ 2x4’s.

Bring these items by to your apartment.  The track is very rigid and will not  require to be anchored on the top, this can float. Install each stud at 24” on center, assuring you can split a 48” wide piece of wall board over the stud. The walls them selves need to be ancored to the existing walls so your children can’t push them. This can be achieved by install a stud into the drywall with drywall anchors every 32”.  Drill and s***w each stud in place.

The most important part is make sure the two walls are tied in at the corner (im assuming you are building a L shaped wall) this will prevent it from tipping over or falling down.  To install your door wall frame out the opening 2” than the door frame (most bedrooms doors are 30” wide, but 28” will work also. So frame your opening at 32’ wide and 81 ½” high.  You will have to cut the plate our from the door opening. So you will have to secure the plate to the floor on each side of the door opening use a 1” s***w or less, this should make it thru the carpeting and subfloor.

Yo can later install drywall onto the walls as you don’t have to fill in the joint where the new drywall meets the old walls just tape and paint.  The door way you can leave open or you can buy pre-hung doors with the casing already attached onto it for easy installation.

The other option you have short of hanging curtain wall is at the same stores they sell  this 1 ½” insulation board, very sturdy and easy to cut with a knife or hand saw. Cutting it will make a mess, so cover your work area.  Again you can buy 1 ½” metal track to slide them into and keep theme strait. Just over lap the corners, you will need to buy two metal studs to attach to the dinning room walls to slide the insulation board into. Buy some PVL glue and you can glue the butt joints (seams) for added strength.  Regular construction glue will melt this material, so please read the label before purchasing.  These boards can be painted, but the downfall is that there a precut lines every 16” in the board. I suggest, apply tape over them and do a stripped paint look. Im sure you will come up with another creative way to decorate it.

Lastly you can double up the wall by buying one sheet at 2” thick and one at 1 ½” and make the wall 3 ½” thick and buy 3 ½” track for more rigid top support.

http://www.owenscorning.com/around/insul...

Answer 2

Insteady of buying wardrobes you could buy screens (like folding screens with designs on the outside)... or get a shower curtain rod & some curtains....

Answer 3

Well now I am not a Fancy person. If I know kids then they are not fancy either according to how old they are.

I suggest this for a cheap and easy way to cure your problem.

buy you some of the s***w in hooks like you use when you hang flower baskets. Also buy you some of the rings that you use to hang shower curtains.

Locate the studs in both walls and install these hooks into a stud. Use some Blankets or Quilts or Sheets and install them just like you would a shower curtain. Will make a good temp wall for you, and would not cost a lot of money.

We would have done that way back when lol.

Answer 4

Not sure where you live and what stores you have, but how about a few of those partician walls that make cubicles in offices?  If you could find one of that large used office furniture stores, you might find something more durable than hanging sheets/curtains.  these in combo w/wardrobes might be enough.