10 Ways to Create a Bedroom Siblings Will Want to Share
Bunks, lofts, hammocks, beanbags and thoughtfully placed partitions can encourage the kids to coexist happily
Siblings who share a room may not always get along, but the benefits of bunking together are huge – including more bonding time, fewer middle-of-the-night runs to your room (since having another person nearby at night is calming for many kids), and practice in life skills including how to share personal space and compromise. If your kids will soon be sharing a room, or if you’re hoping to revamp the space they’re already sharing, you’re in the right place.
2. Double up
Bunk beds are popular with kids for good reason: These space-saving beds are great for carving out a little privacy in a shared space, plus they’re just plain fun. Be sure that bunk beds are secured to the wall and include a safety railing on the upper bunk. If you’re working with a designer, you can get built-in bunks that fit your space (and your family) perfectly – including bunks for four-plus kids or, as in this space from Sydney-based The Designory, a set-up that includes real stairs instead of an adult-proof ladder.
Cleve Kids’ Rooms: 9 Inventive Ideas for Bunk Beds
Bunk beds are popular with kids for good reason: These space-saving beds are great for carving out a little privacy in a shared space, plus they’re just plain fun. Be sure that bunk beds are secured to the wall and include a safety railing on the upper bunk. If you’re working with a designer, you can get built-in bunks that fit your space (and your family) perfectly – including bunks for four-plus kids or, as in this space from Sydney-based The Designory, a set-up that includes real stairs instead of an adult-proof ladder.
Cleve Kids’ Rooms: 9 Inventive Ideas for Bunk Beds
3. Add a couch
If you do take advantage of space-saving bunk beds, one option for the remaining space is to add a small-scale sofa. Kids love having a sofa in their bedroom because it feels so grown-up, and if you make it a sleeper sofa, it can even become an extra bed for overnight guests and visiting grandparents. In this space from USA-based Fearins Welch, the sofa is complemented by a storage ottoman and a built-in window seat with more storage below.
Find an interior designer or decorator on Houzz to help create your kids’ bedrooms
If you do take advantage of space-saving bunk beds, one option for the remaining space is to add a small-scale sofa. Kids love having a sofa in their bedroom because it feels so grown-up, and if you make it a sleeper sofa, it can even become an extra bed for overnight guests and visiting grandparents. In this space from USA-based Fearins Welch, the sofa is complemented by a storage ottoman and a built-in window seat with more storage below.
Find an interior designer or decorator on Houzz to help create your kids’ bedrooms
4. Draw on the walls
Another idea is to let kids personalise the area around their desks by painting a full-wall chalkboard backdrop. Because you can now get chalkboard paint in all sorts of colours, there’s no need to be limited to black – try a vibrant blue, as shown here, to make white desks pop. Word to the wise: don’t use chalkboard paint above kids’ beds or they will end up full of chalk dust!
Another idea is to let kids personalise the area around their desks by painting a full-wall chalkboard backdrop. Because you can now get chalkboard paint in all sorts of colours, there’s no need to be limited to black – try a vibrant blue, as shown here, to make white desks pop. Word to the wise: don’t use chalkboard paint above kids’ beds or they will end up full of chalk dust!
5. Think outside the bunk
Older kids and teens especially may appreciate this kind of set-up. Upper bunks serve as a sleeping loft, with the bottom kept open for stringing up a hammock, while a wall-mounted TV above the dresser is viewable from either loft or hammock. Involving kids in the design process can help too – they might come up with a creative idea you’d never have thought of (which might actually work).
Teen Time: Expert Tips for Designing a Teenager’s Bedroom
Older kids and teens especially may appreciate this kind of set-up. Upper bunks serve as a sleeping loft, with the bottom kept open for stringing up a hammock, while a wall-mounted TV above the dresser is viewable from either loft or hammock. Involving kids in the design process can help too – they might come up with a creative idea you’d never have thought of (which might actually work).
Teen Time: Expert Tips for Designing a Teenager’s Bedroom
6. Partition the space
If you have a big room to work with, dividing it with partitions can be a smart way to add privacy and extra storage. In this space from USA-based B Pila Design Studio, a large storage unit separates the entrance to the room from the sleeping area, and provides storage for books, clothes and knick-knacks. Carpet tiles are useful for working around an unusually shaped furniture arrangement and getting a perfect fit.
If you have a big room to work with, dividing it with partitions can be a smart way to add privacy and extra storage. In this space from USA-based B Pila Design Studio, a large storage unit separates the entrance to the room from the sleeping area, and provides storage for books, clothes and knick-knacks. Carpet tiles are useful for working around an unusually shaped furniture arrangement and getting a perfect fit.
7. Elevate play
Kids can’t resist lofts, they’re just more fun than playing on than ground-level spaces. In this room from UK-based Slightly Quirky, a mezzanine-level loft sits above a pair of twin beds with built-in storage below. In the play loft, ample shelving creates a home for the children’s book collection, and the transparent loft barrier lets grown-ups keep an eye on play.
Kids can’t resist lofts, they’re just more fun than playing on than ground-level spaces. In this room from UK-based Slightly Quirky, a mezzanine-level loft sits above a pair of twin beds with built-in storage below. In the play loft, ample shelving creates a home for the children’s book collection, and the transparent loft barrier lets grown-ups keep an eye on play.
8. Go toe-to-toe
In the former New York City home of design duo The Novogratz and their seven kids, there were a lot of bedrooms to design. In this one, the couple’s twin boys have beds positioned toe-to-toe, freeing up space in the centre of the room for play. This set-up also allows the beds to act as a long sofa for hanging out on during the day.
In the former New York City home of design duo The Novogratz and their seven kids, there were a lot of bedrooms to design. In this one, the couple’s twin boys have beds positioned toe-to-toe, freeing up space in the centre of the room for play. This set-up also allows the beds to act as a long sofa for hanging out on during the day.
9. Enlist a pro
Working with a professional designer can mean parting with your hard-earned pennies, but the right professional can do a lot more than simply select window treatments. A designer can create custom-made furniture, help settle design-related disputes and come up with creative space solutions that make the most of your square metreage.
In this sophisticated children’s room from USA-based Beth Haley Design, a child-friendly bunk-set shares space with a curvy sofa and lamp that will grow up along with the room’s young occupants.
Browse Houzz for more design ideas for kids’ rooms
Working with a professional designer can mean parting with your hard-earned pennies, but the right professional can do a lot more than simply select window treatments. A designer can create custom-made furniture, help settle design-related disputes and come up with creative space solutions that make the most of your square metreage.
In this sophisticated children’s room from USA-based Beth Haley Design, a child-friendly bunk-set shares space with a curvy sofa and lamp that will grow up along with the room’s young occupants.
Browse Houzz for more design ideas for kids’ rooms
10. Make it fun
When it comes down to it, most kids are surprisingly easy to please. Toss in one super-fun element, like the big, colourful beanbag-style chairs in this space from USA-based Get Decorated, and your kiddos are sure to fall for their new shared space.
Your turn
Do your kids share a room? Tell us what works (and what doesn’t) in the Comments below, like this story, save the images and join the conversation.
More
Craving more design inspiration? Read up on 10 Ways to Use Hexagonal Tiles
When it comes down to it, most kids are surprisingly easy to please. Toss in one super-fun element, like the big, colourful beanbag-style chairs in this space from USA-based Get Decorated, and your kiddos are sure to fall for their new shared space.
Your turn
Do your kids share a room? Tell us what works (and what doesn’t) in the Comments below, like this story, save the images and join the conversation.
More
Craving more design inspiration? Read up on 10 Ways to Use Hexagonal Tiles
If having siblings share a bedroom will free up another space for play, that can really help kids get on board. Make the bedroom solely dedicated to sleep with crisp new bedding, simple furnishings and a serene colour palette, such as this one from USA-based Studio McGee. And then plan a fun play space in another room that can get a little more chaotic.