Thanks Chemayne, yes, that is correct re: position of the bed. There is a small bedroom behind where the bed is currently and ultimately i'd like to turn it into a walk in robe. That's funny, i never considered the grey bed to be masculine, although my mum didn't like it so maybe that should have been a clue! I keep coming back to it though, but not too sure if it is too low for the room. Unfortunatley there doesn't seem to be many grey beds around to compare it with. As for those pictures, thank you. However i don't think any of them are my taste. They are all a bit busy i think. I like the white trim which i am going to get done. I think from these i'm leaing towards Ighter coloured walls as well. I think the blue walls on number 1 is a bit much and no:4 with different curtains would be okish too.

Hi Louise, In a room like this I always like to keep the walls and ceilings ( including the small door and frame 1 colour...in this case a lavender. I'd start by finding colour chips that have the same colour as the carpet, and then go a few shades lighter but in the same tome. All baseboards and door to hall should be the same colour as the iron beds...off white. With the walls a colour you'll be able to see the pretty pattern of the frame. OR find a small scaled pattern of any of the shades of purple and the cream same as the bed frame) with the same fabric. Make custom bedding to match. In a small room 1 pattern works well everywhere. If you go the paint route, try to find fabric with soft gold, lavender, purple for a skirted table between the beds if there's room. You can put it on a cardboard table and base...found in some fabric or craft stores. Top it with a thin piece of glass ( Pier 1) and away you go.Don't be afraid of colour or small pattern in a small space, as you are going for the impact. Have fun! Shaila

Melissa, when I said footboard, I meant this. It has a portion of the bed that extends beyond the mattress edge. You posted a bed that had something at the foot section of the bed. By platform, I mean a bed that has a hard area and only a mattress on it. Like this. It does not extend beyond the edge of the mattress, but does not have a box spring. It is also lower to the ground. The picture you posted was a high profile bed and box spring. It was not on a typical bed frame. A standard bed frame, used with box spring and mattress looks like this. Virtually invisible and does not extend out beyond the mattress/box spring set. That being said, I'd recommend you get a headboard that is not too big for your space. Neither in height or depth (distance from the wall). I would also not get a mattress frame that extends beyond the size of the mattress. Sorry to have not been clear before.

The rules may have changed but when we built our extension the wall adjoining our neighbour had to be completely within our own boundary. It looks as if your neighbour has continued along the party wall and therefore half the depth of the wall is on your land. It might be worth getting a chartered building surveyor to check it out as otherwise it may cause difficulties when either you or your neighbour come to sell. If I'm wrong about this maybe a professional on here could correct me. Other than that I think you should make the best of the little private courtyard it has afforded you by using plants in pots and climbers to soften the wall.