Dear Donna,

My son is turning 13 next year and wants his room updated. He has a box room with a bunk bed, a wardrobe, a set of drawers and a TV unit.

The room needs to be made to look bigger. Do you have any ideas?

Many thanks,

Nichola Brennan.

Our Homes And Property Expert replies:

Hi Nicola,

I am assuming that at nearly 13, your son is no longer into the 'sleepover' trend that the early years deem so popular. With this in mind, and also the fact that space is your most important concern, I would consider replacing the bunk-bed with a more practical space-saving loft bed.

Ikea have a fabulous range called Robin. The loft bed is available in two colour schemes: birch and blue or birch and white (the latter is a perfect base for any colour scheme). The loft bed is essentially an elevated bed with an integral ladder which can be positioned on the left or right to allow for the best access depending on where in the room the bed will be situated.

The lower area of the loft frame can easily accommodate a wardrobe and a chest of drawers so you could always utilise your existing furniture. However, if your budget will stretch to it, invest in a matching wardrobe and chest of drawers from the same range.

Being that Ikea's furniture is flat-packed for home assembly, the prices are always reasonable and this collection is no exception. The Robin loft bed retails at just £125, whilst the wardrobe (available in the same colour options) costs £70 and the 8-drawer chest (which has an additional colour option of birch and red) retails at £50.

By arranging all the furniture from your son's room beneath the loft bed, you will have the freedom to plan the remaining free area for a computer desk or easy chair, where he can study or relax.

The TV unit can be replaced with a TV bracket. Ikea's Observator TV wall bracket and video holder costs just £14 and can be positioned so your son can watch telly from the comfort of his bed. This will also free up even more space from the floor.

Contact Ikea on (020) 8208 5600 for more details or visit your nearest store.

Best of luck with your decorating!

Donna.