The ultimate play and sleepover space for a Memphis midcentury
What Jamie wanted
Jamie Johnson came to California Closets with what felt like a tall order: design a fun, inviting, and functional play space where her kids could spread out during the day — and comfortably enjoy sleepovers at night. She wanted a dedicated hangout separate from the main living areas, something streamlined and organized that would blend effortlessly with her home’s midcentury architecture.
“In the end, prioritizing open floor space was key. It gave the kids room to spread out, play games, and let their imaginations guide how they used the room each day.”
How California Closets designed it
After meeting with Jamie, Memphis-based California Closets design consultant Suzanne Cohen worked through several layout schematics, ultimately landing on a concept with not one but two full-size Murphy beds for double the utility and flexibility. She finalized the configuration with vertical-tilt beds divided and flanked by three narrow closet towers. A horizontal bookshelf along the top not only achieves a seamless look but also increases the room’s storage without sacrificing floor space.
Suzanne and Jamie then moved on to finishes, exploring a range of colors and textures before selecting a warm reddish wood grain, which complements the room’s existing paneling. Features like vertical grain, slab fronts, and inset construction helped the system feel architecturally integrated, creating the illusion of a built-in unit that had always been there
“Out of all the projects we’ve done in this house, this was not only the easiest but worked out the best.”
Final result
Who says you can’t have a double wall bed design? This room transforms effortlessly depending on the moment: open and playful by day, cozy and sleepover-ready by night. The shift has given everyone in the family something of their own. While the adults relax in the main living spaces, the kids have a hangout they proudly claim as theirs — and they often prefer it to their own bedrooms.
Finishes
Siena
Materials
Elite handles in black
Accessories
Inset slab fronts
Fascia trimmed to the ceiling
Finishes and products vary by location. Inquire with your local California Closets showroom for availability.
Client
Jamie Johnson
Location
Memphis, TN
Design consultant
Suzanne Cohen
Photo credits
JT Morin
