How to Create a Bedroom Siblings Want to Share

Siblings who share a room may not always get along, but the benefits of sleeping together are huge – including more intimate time, less running to your room in the middle of the night (because having another person nearby at night calms many children) and practicing Xi life skills such as how to share personal space and compromise. If your kids are going to share a space soon, or you’re looking to remodel a room they’re already sharing, you’ve come to the right place.

1. It’s All About Sleep

If having siblings share a bedroom frees up another space to play, then this can really help the kids fit in. Dedicate your bedroom to sleep with crisp new bedding, simple furnishings, and a calming palette like this one from Studio McGee. Then plan a fun play space in another room that might get even more cluttered.

2. Double-Layered

There’s a good reason why beds are popular with kids: these space-saving beds are perfect for a little privacy in a shared space, and they’re a lot of fun. Make sure the bunk bed is secured to the wall and has a safety railing on it. If you work with a designer, you can get built-in bunks that fit perfectly into your space (and your family) – including bunks for more than four kids, or a setup like this one at The Designory, that includes a real staircase instead of an adult ladder.

3. Add a Couch

If you do take advantage of the space-saving bunk beds, one option for the remaining space is to add a small sofa. Kids love having a sofa in the bedroom because it gives a mature feel, and if you make it into a sofa bed, it can even be an extra bed for overnight guests and visiting grandparents. In this space at Fearins Welch, the sofa comes with a storage ottoman and a built-in window seat with more storage underneath.

4. Draw on the Wall

Let the kids personalize the area around the table by drawing on a chalkboard background that is an entire wall. Since you can now get chalkboard paint in a variety of colors, there’s no need to limit yourself to black – try a vibrant blue as shown in the image to make a white desk pop. A word of advice: don’t use chalkboard paint on your child’s bed, or they’ll end up covered in chalk dust!

5. Think Outside the Bed

Older kids and teens may especially enjoy this setup. The upper bunk can be used as an attic sleeping room, the bottom remains open to hang a hammock, while the wall-mounted TV above the vanity can be viewed from the loft or hammock. It’s also helpful to involve kids in the design process – they might come up with an idea you never thought of (and it might actually work).

6. Divide the Space

If you have a large room to use, dividing it with partitions can be a smart way to add privacy and extra storage. In this space by B Pila Design, a large storage unit separates the room entrance from the sleeping area and provides storage space for books, clothes, and knick-knacks. Carpet tiles can be used to arrange around unusually shaped furniture and achieve a perfect fit.

7. Play at Height

Kids can’t resist lofts: they’re more fun than playing on the ground! In this space at Slightly Quirky, the mezzanine loft sits above a pair of single beds with built-in storage underneath. In the play loft, ample bookshelves provide a home for children to keep a stash of books, and a transparent loft barrier allows adults to keep an eye on play.

8.Go Toe-to-Toe

In the Novogratz’s old New York home and their home of seven children, there were plenty of bedrooms to design. In this bedroom, the couple’s twin sons’ beds are placed toe-to-toe, thus freeing up space in the center of the room for them to play. Such a setup also allows the two beds to become a long “couch” on which to play during the day.

9. Hire a Professional

Admittedly, working with a professional designer is a luxury, but the right professional can do more than just choose curtains. Designers can create custom furniture, help resolve design-related disputes, and come up with creative space solutions that make the most of your area. In this sophisticated children’s room designed by Beth Haley Design, a set of child-friendly bunk beds shares space with curved benches and lamps that will grow with the room’s little occupants.

10. Make It Fun

At the end of the day, most kids are very easy to please. Add a super fun element to this space, like Get Decorated’s colourful soy bag chair, and your kids are sure to fall in love with their new shared space.