My Basket

How To Create A Shared Kids Bedroom

How To Create A Shared Kids Bedroom

Many parents want their children to have their own bedrooms, but some kids might have to share a room. This might be because of space issues or because they want to share a bedroom with their sister or brother. Shared bedrooms are growing in popularity in the UK and the US. Pinterest searches for ‘shared room divider ideas’ have seen a 473% increase in the UK and 307% in the US since last year.

This raises the question of how to decorate their bedrooms - two children will have different tastes and personalities. A point that's even more prominent if they're of different ages is that a teenager will need space and privacy that a toddler won't.

So, how do you create a shared bedroom that suits both children without compromising on what they love and need? We've put together some helpful tips on efficiently decorating a shared bedroom that they'll love!

How to divide a bedroom in two

Before decorating, you'll need to consider dividing the bedroom into two. You'll want to make sure that the room division is as equal as possible to reduce the risk of any feelings of unfairness. Another thing to remember is that children will have different requirements, and their age will impact what they need to use in their space.

You could zone it out if the room is big enough. This could be as simple as giving both children half of the room each or specifying that certain areas of their bedroom are to be used for certain things. For example, bunk beds would give them both somewhere to sleep and free up a lot of space, so you could designate an area for schoolwork and another for play.

Alternatively, give each child a personal corner or area of the bedroom that is just 'theirs'. This will give them the feeling that they have their own space, though remember that this might cause arguments if one of them ventures into the other's space.

How to decorate for different tastes

No two children are the same – even twins; they all have interests and passions. As such, you'll need to consider their likes and dislikes when creating their shared bedroom to make it a space they're both comfortable and happy with.

Person painting a wall

1. Be flexible with wallpaper or paint

How do you resolve the issue of two children liking completely different things? For example, one of your children adores animals, whilst the other loves space. The solution is to go for a neutral theme that can feature accents showing off their interests. White or cream walls offer a solid base that can be adapted to their changing likes as they grow, reducing the need for constant redecoration.

Add highlights, such as pops of colour, to make their bedroom feel unique. If they like different colours, find pillows or bedding that showcases them without clashing too much. If you're looking to add wallpaper to their bedroom, then make sure to choose a wallpaper style that is neutral enough that it will appeal to them both. This could be solid colours or fun patterns that won't grow outdated too quickly. Peel and stick wallpaper, in particular, could be a great option as it is quick and easy to replace as they grow older and their tastes change!

Our blog on creating a timeless child's bedroom offers plenty of great tips on future-proofing your child's bedroom – especially important for shared bedrooms!

Rainbow decor

2. Tap into current eclectic trends

Alternatively, instead of going down a neutral route, you could decorate the room in a complete opposite manner and embrace bold colours. According to Pinterest Trends, searches for 'rainbow bedroom ideas kids' have grown by 100% this month, while 'eclectic kids room' has seen a 100% increase this month and a massive 70% growth since last year.

These trends are perfect for shared bedrooms because they incorporate a wide range of colours, patterns and styles, making it easier to satisfy different tastes. A rainbow theme or eclectic design allows each child to feel represented in the space, whether they prefer bold, bright hues or softer pastel tones.

Additionally, eclectic styles work well for both boys and girls, offering a gender-neutral aesthetic that blends various elements like playful wall art, colourful furniture and mixed textures. This approach fosters creativity and individuality while ensuring the room feels harmonious and well-balanced.

Personalised name decor spelling Anna

3. Personalise their space

Letting them personalise their space is very important if two children share a room. This will allow them to feel like they have some control over their space and make them feel like it's genuinely 'theirs'. Decorating a shared bedroom can be challenging, but there are plenty of easy ways to make both kids feel involved and like they have an equal share of the room!

Let each child choose their bedding. Their bed is where they need to feel comfortable and safe to sleep in and grow, so it should be personalised to their likes. This also lets them showcase their personality without breaking the bank, and it can be changed easily if they decide they like something else!

Other ways to easily personalise their space are to use items with their initials or give them fun name signs for their kids' beds or designated areas. If there's enough space, they could showcase their favourite toys or figurines. This will show everyone that this is 'their' space and help give them some control, even though they share it with their siblings.

Bunk bed

4. Invest in innovative storage solutions

The downside of having a shared bedroom is that the children have less space to store their things, such as toys or clothes. A way around this is to invest in innovative storage solutions that suit their children's needs and maximise their available space.

For quick and cheap ways to expand the storage in their shared bedroom, shop around for coloured storage baskets, shelves or even bins. Give each child storage baskets in their favourite colour, which can be placed on each child's side. Personalise them by adding their initials or names, letting them know this is their storage!

A bonus is that these types of storage can be used for various purposes, whether putting away toys, shelving books, keeping board games tidy, or even extra clothes! If there's enough space under their bed, you could opt for discreet under-bed storage!

Don't forget about the furniture itself! Plenty of multifunctional storage beds are perfect for children sharing a bedroom. If there's space for two single beds, then an ottoman bed offers the whole bed frame underneath the mattress as space to store things away, and it's easy to open and close. Another great single bed option is a bookcase bed - as the name suggests, these have a bookcase built into the headboard that can be used to shelve books or display toys!

Our innovative mid-sleeper or high-sleeper beds are perfect for shared bedrooms as they help reduce the extra furniture you need by offering pull-out or build-in desks, underbed storage or space for a play area and more. Find out more about these innovative beds in our mid and high-sleeper bed guide!

If there's not enough space for two beds, we have plenty of fantastic bunk beds that offer more than just a place to sleep. Some of our modern bunk beds include built-in shelving along the back of each bunk, underbed drawers for hidden storage, and even a desk built into the frame.

Bug wall lighting

5. Consider the lighting options

Sharing space is about compromise, which can get tricky when you think about the lighting in a bedroom. The big light can't be compromised – on or off! So, instead, think about smaller, more personal lighting that each child can control. If one child likes to read before bed, they might want to get a lamp or a reading light that won't annoy their sibling too much.

Consider using bedside lamps with warm bulbs. Soft, warm lighting is ideal for creating a calming bedtime routine, unlike bright white or blue-toned lights, which can interfere with melatonin production and make it harder for children to wind down. At the same time, a nightlight can help allay any nighttime-related fears and help both children feel safe and secure in their beds.

If nightmares are a common occurrence with your little ones, then make sure to check out our blog on how to furnish a kid's bedroom to stop nightmares for plenty of helpful tips!

Child making a jigsaw

6. Give them a shared activities space

Kids need their own space and plenty of space to play and explore their imaginations. In a shared bedroom, it's more likely that you'll need to create a play area that they can both use. This will encourage them to play together, creating a stronger sibling bond. It's important to consider what both children like to do before putting together their activity area - do they both like to paint? What if one hates crafts but loves to play video games?

Incorporate their interests into the shared activities space – a comfy rug will give them somewhere to sit and play, whereas a desk could be more suitable for older children. Bean bags with cushions could create a cosy reading nook, or you could include a crafts table that can be used for arts, LEGO, jigsaws, and more!

How long can children share a bedroom?

Children can share a bedroom for however long is needed; there's no legal reason to separate children. The Housing Act 1985 considers a home overcrowded if children of the opposite sex over the age of 10 have to share a room.

So, whilst there are no legal repercussions, it's important to note that for their happiness and privacy. When children reach their teenage years, they'll want their own space without interruptions, especially if they're of different genders!

Children of different ages sharing a bedroom can also start to experience issues as they grow – a teenager will not want to share a bedroom with their loud and energetic toddler sibling. This will become an even bigger problem when they start needing quiet to study for exams, so we'd ideally recommend letting them have their room before this point if your home is big enough.

For more in-depth information, check out our blog on the age at which siblings should stop sharing a room!

Shop kids beds