How to turn an old bunk bed into a star gazing space

Getting crafty can be a little more difficult in winter than summer, but we certainly recommend it to keep your creativity flowing.

If you're looking for ways to get your children outside during the chilly season, then we have a great project for you - the star gaze retreat. If your kids have grown out of their old bunk bed, don't throw it away. This DIY project will give your bunk bed a whole new lease on life, just follow these tips.

1. The main alteration you need to make for this project is adding some low walls and a bench seat to the top section of the bunk bed. Grab a few panels of wood and follow the perimeter of the bed base to create 20cm-high walls - leaving a space for you and the kids to enter through via the ladder, of course! Once you've hammered these into place, choose one or two of the walls to run a bench seat along. Support these additional fixtures with triangular shaped supports joining the new seat to the sides of the bunk bed. Point them inwards if you have younger children to ensure they stay as safe as possible.

2. Paint it! Sand down the wooden panels if they have any sort of coating on them, choose a lovely shade of midnight blue or starry white (or both!) and get painting.  The kids will love helping you with this bit, and it will help to truly transform their beds into an unrecognisable masterpiece.

3. Position your new star gazer in the most optimal place of your garden. At the back with an unobstructed view of the sky is best, nestled amongst bushes to give it a great, secretive feel.

4. Decorate your family's new toy with lanterns, faux candles, pillows and blankets to encourage everyone outside to get snuggly whilst enjoying some bonding time outside.

5. Beneath the bunk bed, attach your own curtains and either transform the bottom bunk into a haven of story books and games, or leave it as a bed for those warm nights in summer where the kids want to sleep outdoors - this may be a less-than-appealing idea now, but we assure you by summer you'll love it.