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Decor Tips for Shared Bedrooms

Decor Tips for Shared Bedrooms

When you have more children than bedrooms, sharing is the only option! Parents can worry about how this will work out but children generally are quite happy sharing.

We have put together tips for how you can set up your bedroom and keep everyone happy!


Some key things to consider

Room-sharing can be tricky and the specifics of an effectively designed shared room depend on the kids in question - their ages, temperaments and tastes. In all room-sharing situations, though, there are a couple of key areas to consider:

Layout

Everyone needs their own space, so it's helpful to think of the room in three zones - two private (one for each child) and one shared. The areas may be quite small but it works best if each child has somewhere for their precious things and to feel is just for them.

Storage

Double the kids=double the stuff, so storage space must be carefully considered.

Design & style

A pleasant room doesn't have to be matchy-matchy, but aesthetic elements do have to work together if you want a great looking bedroom! This can be ore challenging for children of quite different ages or a boy-girl bedroom, but is not impossible!


Layout Tips

 

  • One way to establish private spaces, even in small rooms, is to make the most of the corners, giving opposite corners to each child.

  • The more you can squeeze into one corner, the better! If you have a busy corner, then another part of the room can be less cluttered.

  • Alternatively, an imaginary line down the center of the room will establish two separate zones. This line could even be made real using a bookcase or a screen as a room divider.

  • Keep your colour scheme or design ideas fairly simple, so you can get a consistent look and feel.

  • In the smallest shared rooms, it's hard to allocate "shared space" - but it's nice to try, since it offers an opportunity to tie the separate private zones together aesthetically. This could be a shared notice-board, bookcase, rug on the floor with a toy box. Or a small table and chairs would be a great shared area.

  • One way to establish a shared zone is to focus it on an activity - like a homework area (the chalkboard above has a similar function).

  • Bunk beds are an interesting way to maximize space and children generally think they're very cool. If you go with bunk beds, though, it becomes even more important to establish those "private" zones, so kids feel like they've got something of their own. And see our information on bunk bed safety.


Storage Tips

 

  • It's important to carefully organize all storage areas to maximize capacity. Think dividers, cubes, baskets, boxes...less clutter is much better!!

  • Under-the-bed drawers are fantastic or a cheaper option is big flat plastic boxes that slide under the bed, ideal for lego or out of season clothing.

  • Fit in as much storage as you can, such as cubes with coloured baskets or plastic tubs on the floor. These elements can keep your room under control and use affordable elements to add to your colour theme.

  • What stuff can be out in a play room, shelving in the hallway, put up high or in storage in the garage??? Be ruthless!

  • Keep bedroom stuff for the bedroom, and other play stuff may be better located elsewhere in the house where possible.

Need inspiration?

We have lots of great ideas for bedroom storage on our Pinterest Board - Storage for Kids Stuff.


Design & Style Tips

 

  • Deciding on a theme or colour for a shared bedroom can be challenging, particularly if you let both children have a say. If you have younger children, it can work well for YOU to decide on the theme. They will love what you create for them and this keeps the decisions and process much more simple!

  • Also consider how long you want the bedroom decor to last for. While they may love Thomas the Tank Engine this week, will they still be such a fan next year? And what happens if one child adores Dora but the other child thinks that is babyish and constantly moans about the Dora curtains!!

  • Our advice is to stick to the basics, particularly with wall colours and curtains. These are the things that are more costly or time-consuming to update.

  • Avoid branded or licensed themes apart from quick and easy accessories...children change quickly and it is unlikely different aged children will continue to love the same things.

  • A good first step is to choose a color scheme that everyone can agree on - often that means sticking to simple basics. White with one coloured feature wall can work well!

  • Same goes for patterns - straightforward stripes or polka dots are universal and create a good base upon which to build. These often appeal well to children who are different ages and can appeal to boy boys and girls if you choose colours like white, green or aqua. Once the basics are established, each kid can dress up his zone with an accent color and accessories of his own.

  • Wall stickers are a quick and affordable way to transform a bedroom, and to have unique decor by each bunk or on each side of the bedroom.

Some examples

  • Using a bookcase as a room divider

  • Shared common space with the lovely rug

  • Using a shared colour scheme and themes

  • Simple colour scheme with pops of colour

  • Having a similar theme across the room but with different coloured bedding works well