10 Ways to Create a Bedroom Siblings Will Want to Share
Bunks, lofts, hammocks, beanbags and thoughtfully placed partitions can encourage the kids to happily coexist
Laura Gaskill
May 5, 2019
Houzz Contributor. I cover decorating ideas, Houzz tours & the monthly home maintenance checklist. My favorite pieces to write center around the emotional aspects of home and savoring life's simple pleasures. Decluttering course + discount for Houzzers: https://www.lauragaskill.com/welcome-houzzers
Houzz Contributor. I cover decorating ideas, Houzz tours & the monthly home maintenance... More
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 like how to share personal space and compromise. If your kids will soon be sharing a space, or if you’re hoping to revamp the room they’re already sharing, you’re in the right place.
1. Make It All About Sleep
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 color palette, such as this one from Studio McGee. And then plan a fun play space in another room that can get a little more chaotic.
Find bedding in the Houzz Shop
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 color palette, such as this one from Studio McGee. And then plan a fun play space in another room that can get a little more chaotic.
Find bedding in the Houzz Shop
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 The Designory, a setup that includes real stairs instead of an adult-proof ladder.
10 Ways to Work In a Bunk Bed (or Two)
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 The Designory, a setup that includes real stairs instead of an adult-proof ladder.
10 Ways to Work In a Bunk Bed (or Two)
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 sleepover guests and visiting grandparents. In this space from Fearins Welch, the sofa is complemented by a storage ottoman and a built-in window seat with more storage below.
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 sleepover guests and visiting grandparents. In this space from Fearins Welch, the sofa is complemented by a storage ottoman and a built-in window seat with more storage below.
4. Draw on the Walls
Let kids personalize the area around their desks by painting a full-wall chalkboard backdrop. Since you can now get chalkboard paint in all sorts of colors, 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!
Let kids personalize the area around their desks by painting a full-wall chalkboard backdrop. Since you can now get chalkboard paint in all sorts of colors, 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 setup. 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 (and that might actually work).
Older kids and teens especially may appreciate this kind of setup. 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 (and that might actually work).
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 B Pila Design, a large storage unit separates the entrance to the room from the sleeping area, and provides storage for books, clothes and knickknacks. 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 B Pila Design, a large storage unit separates the entrance to the room from the sleeping area, and provides storage for books, clothes and knickknacks. 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 ground level! In this space from 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.
See more of this family home in England
Kids can’t resist lofts: They’re just more fun than playing on ground level! In this space from 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.
See more of this family home in England
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 center of the room for play. This setup also allows the beds to act as a single, long “couch” for hanging out on during the day.
See more of this New York City home for a family of nine
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 center of the room for play. This setup also allows the beds to act as a single, long “couch” for hanging out on during the day.
See more of this New York City home for a family of nine
9. Enlist a Pro
Working with a professional designer is a splurge, to be sure — but the right pro can do a lot more than select window treatments. A designer can create custom furniture, help settle design-related disputes and come up with creative space solutions that make the most of your square footage. In this sophisticated children’s room from Beth Haley Design, a kid-friendly bunk set shares space with a curvy settee and lamp that will grow up along with the room’s young occupants.
Find a local designer on Houzz
Working with a professional designer is a splurge, to be sure — but the right pro can do a lot more than select window treatments. A designer can create custom furniture, help settle design-related disputes and come up with creative space solutions that make the most of your square footage. In this sophisticated children’s room from Beth Haley Design, a kid-friendly bunk set shares space with a curvy settee and lamp that will grow up along with the room’s young occupants.
Find a local designer on Houzz
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, colorful beanbag-style chairs in this space from 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!
More on Houzz
How to Outfit a Bunk Room That Sleeps a Crowd
8 Sibling Bedrooms That Make Sharing Fun
Shop for children’s products
When it comes down to it, most kids are surprisingly easy to please. Toss in one super-fun element, like the big, colorful beanbag-style chairs in this space from 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!
More on Houzz
How to Outfit a Bunk Room That Sleeps a Crowd
8 Sibling Bedrooms That Make Sharing Fun
Shop for children’s products
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Why don't you ask them? Not that they will be the "decider" but getting their reasons for & against might be interesting & might help you decide. Also, they might want a trial period with the option of return. But then again, it's your house & your rules. Good luck, keep us posted.
Love the rooms pictured! Bright, colourful, and ingenious ways of accommodating more than 1 child. And all the posts of kids sharing rooms - great to hear!
Hey, that one with the hammock under the bunks; how did they get onto those bunks? At the near end maybe, behind the camera, then crawl along to the farthest one! Strange. But maybe there was a hidden ladder. Or did they trapeze off that hammock?