How to Create a Shared Kids’ Bedroom in Style

When you have a couple kids around the house, expect plenty of trouble. Every day feels like a challenge and just getting them to sit together for a few minutes without having to sit through another ‘family court’ once again is an achievement in itself. Imagine how much harder it is to design a shared kids’ bedroom! There were times when our parents simply asked us to get on with things and design was never really important. You had to keep the space clean and fight the rest among yourselves. Times have changed and with it parenting. Today’s kids rooms are well planned, smart, beautifully styled and an absolute delight – at least on the first day!

Single-wall-in-the-kids-bedroom-turned-into-sleeping-station — Single wall in the kids’ bedroom turned into sleeping station

Designing a shared kids’ bedroom is much easier than you think. Much of the work is about placing of the beds and once you have this part done and dusted, the rest should come organically. In the shared kids’ room colors and themes need to be a touch more fluid than in other space around your house. You need to work with multiple demands and bringing it all together does require plenty of creativity. Today’s simple guide should help you get started in the right direction –

1. Finding Common Elements

You need not create a shared kids’ bedroom where everything appears in two. Instead, take a more symmetrical approach to design and decorating by giving one half in one color scheme and the other half in another. You can even keep the backdrop neutral and use different colors on both sides to delineate space in an obvious and classy manner. It also allows each of the kids to choose a color of his liking. Of course, this works in kids’ rooms with just a couple of children and if you need a room for three or four little ones, then repeating common elements throughout is a safer choice.

Two-different-color-schemes-for-the-shared-kids-bedroom — Two different color schemes for the shared kids’ bedroom

Pastel-hues-create-a-common-element-in-the-shared-kids-room — Pastel hues create a common element in the shared kids’ room

2. Arranging the Beds

As a natural reaction, we tend to place the bed in the middle of the bedroom while placing the bedside tables on either side. But in the shared kids’ room, it is the beds in the corner that work best. You can even place one bed above the other in a loft style and push the beds to the corner to accommodate four kids with ease. This frees up space in the center of the room and also allows you to use other walls of the room as homework zones or for smart shelving and storage.

Space-saving-and-aesthetic-shelf-in-teh-corner — Space-saving and aesthetic shelf in the corner [From: Eduarda Correa Arquitetura & Interiores]

Shared-kids-bedroom-with-bunk-beds-and-relaxing-beach-style — Shared kids’ bedroom with bunk beds and relaxing beach style [From: Wietsma Lippolis Construction]

3. Work, Play and Rest

In the shared kids’ room, it is not just the placement of beds that demand extra attention. Creating a common play area is easy enough, but a dedicated homework station for two or more kids demands a bit more work. Start with a simple desk attached to the wall and use a few chairs and wall mounted open shelves and cabinets to create the work station. This design is simple, reduces visual fragmentation of space and keeps things organized.

Multiple-work-stations-and-music-area-in-the-kids-room — Multiple work stations and music area in the kids’ room [From: Adrienne DeRosa]

Homework-zone-on-opposite-sides-in-the-kids-room — Homework zone on opposite sides in the kids’ room [From: Roman Spiridonov]

4. Tapping into Vertical Space

In the small kids’ bedroom, it is best to think vertical and bunk beds are the way forward. An entire wall of bunk beds is easy enough to work with and the room is also perfect for sleepovers. You can move everything else to the opposite wall of the room in terms of storage. Here again, it is the vertical space that comes to your rescue with modular and adaptable wall-mounted units completing an ergonomic shared bedroom.

Bunk-beds-in-the-corner-save-up-ample-space — Bunk beds in the corner save up ample space [From: Grand Lake Cabin Craft]

Moving-the-beds-to-the-corner-frees-up-ample-space — Moving the beds to the corner frees up ample space [From: Suzanne Nichols Design Group]

Bespoke beds and niches created in the loft kids' bedroom — Bespoke beds and niches created in the loft kids’ bedroom

5. Multi-tasking Room Dividers

We are big fans of modern dividers that multi-task with ease. Get one of these in the shared kids’ room to avoid turf wars even while giving the little ones a sense of privacy. Half-walls with bookshelves, headboards that have storage options or even a smartly placed curtain can do the trick. Ensure though that these are flexible dividers that can be moved out when needed. It gives you greater number of redecorating options down the line.