We are not all in a fortunate position, where our children can have separate bedrooms. Most children have to share and it is not always easy to style one room for two children. Especially if they are at an age where they are starting to form their own style and understand what they like and dislike.
When I decorated our girl’s bedroom it happened in stages. My eldest was an only child for a while. When my second daughter was born, I always had in mind that one day she would join her sister.
but How would I create a room that both would be happy with?
When it was time for them to share a room. I had a 2-year-old and an 7-year-old. I did research online, asked the girls for ideas and a big factor was the space! Their room is small, so I had to ensure everything felt balanced.
From my experience I would like to share some of the tips I found that helped me when I was decorating their bedroom. I am sure it will be useful to other parents who are not sure what to do or where to start.
Ask Them For Ideas!
One thing I initially did was to talk to the girls about what they would like in their room. Do not shy away from asking your children what they would like to see. It will be their little abode after all. Their ideas can help you to narrow down the direction to go, when decorating their room.
Now I am not saying you must do everything they say. We all know children have wild imaginations and will want it all. But definitely note down key things they mention, that can be incorporated into their room. Also think about how these can be combined into one cohesive space.
Lets Get into These Ideas!
1. COMBINE FAVOURITE COLOURS
A great way to make your children feel their room represent them, is to combine their favourite colours. How you use these colours can be done in two ways Integrated or Separated
Now you’re probably thinking Sash what are you talking about?! Let me explain.
I N T E G R A T E D – Make both colours the central palette for the whole room. Marrying the colours together into the space.
Usually this is aided by having décor or furniture that combine the chosen colours. For instance, a wallpaper, rug, bedding, cushion etc. Definitely do a little search to see if your chosen colour combination has been done before. Hopefully you can find images to give you inspiration and find items that you could potentially use in their room.
For my girls bedroom we used Pink, Mint and Yellow (They loved Pink!). I found a bedding set that was perfect. It had all the colours I intended to use in their room. Having this core item, meant I could use the colours individually in other areas, because everything tied back to the bedding set.
S E P E P A R A T E D – It is like splitting the room in half and designating a colour to each side of the room.
This works well if you have space to fit two single beds. Essentially giving each child the feeling of having their own room because each side will be more catered to that chosen colour. In addition it is a good option, if you feel the colours they like does not combine well.
Your children’s favourite colours can also be used as an accent, rather than the main feature. Keep the walls simple with just pops of colours through your chosen decorative accessories.
2. USE A THEME
Children who are 3 years + are usually obsessed with something. For example, superheroes, unicorns, space, football etc. Use what they are into to create a room that will make them happy. What is great about using a theme is, most retailers always have so many options to choose from. So it will be easy to find items to style their room.
Now I am not saying to put LOL Surprise or Spiderman everywhere and on everything. Let there be a nice balance. For instance blue and white bedding with Spiderman feature cushions.
You are probably saying, what if my children like different things?
I have a boy and a girl, they do not like the same thing? Well my answer would be, try and find a theme that will work well for them both. It does not have to be a room based on a specific character or tv show.
You may want to have a boarder theme that could umbrella different interests. Such as a beach room (for children who like boats, sharks, mermaids). A world explorer room (for children who are into adventure stories, dinosaurs, action figures). A magical fantasy room (for children who like Magic, unicorns, fairies).
Also you could opt for a gender neutral themes for instance, animals, circus, a rainbow room (great for adding different colours too). I have come across some lovely themed bedrooms for children of the same sex and children who are not. It is really down to your imagination of what can be created. So if you choose a theme, have fun with it and don’t be afraid to break the mould either.
3. MAKE IT PERSONAL
I think having personalised items in their room, will be a perfect way to remind them that this is their space. The use of name plagues, labels, prints helps each child know, even though they are sharing this is personally for them.
Also what my girls loved was actually being able to choose décor for their bedroom. If your children are old enough, why not take them on a little shopping trip. They will feel proud to know, that this is something they have selected and has a special spot in their room.
S M A L L B E D R O O M T I P S
BUNKBEDS – if the room you are decorating is small then buying bunkbeds will be best to maximise floorspace. Giving more room for playing and storage! We can never have too much storage in a shared bedroom.
SHARED STORAGE – instead of individual bedroom furniture swap this for one large, shared furniture that can be multifunctional. For example a double dresser or a storage bench. You can use the bench to keep toys tidy. But also if you add seat cushions to the top, it can double up as seating for a reading nook.
WALL SPACE – Not much floorspace, start bringing furniture to the walls. for example a bookcase. wall shelfs, coat hooks. Desks. Don’t forget walls are not just for paint and wallcoverings.
4. ALLOCATED AREAS
Both your children will love having a special area designed with them in mind. Being that they will have to share most things in their room, I am sure they would appreciate a special spot they can go to.
Now this does not have to be a huge area. It can be simply having a canopy around your daughters’ bed with a shelf for books. So she can have a little privacy to read her stories. Or a bean bag in the corner with hooks on the wall for a game controller, so your son can chill and play video games. Even a little colouring station for your Picasso in the making.
Its good to think of what small element you can add, to give the feel of them having their own room.
5. LET THEM JOIN IN
Decorating is fun and being a part of their room transformation can help your children appreciate their room in even more. They can proudly say I painted that. I chose that. Phrases I hear my girls say, when family compliment their room.
So, give them a paint brush, let them stick on some labels. Make it a family experience. Where memories can be made and looked back on with laughter.
Also to make it that bit more special, let them help in the beginning and maybe do all the finishing touches whilst they are out. So when they come home, there will be a grand reveal.
Now these are some of the main things I think you should consider when drawing for ideas. I am sure there are other things to factor in too. But I think these are a good starting point when you are beginning to transform your children’s shared bedroom. It can be challenging. But hopefully with these tips and your children’s imagination, ideas will spark.
Enjoy getting creative with your children’s bedroom and let your inner child out.
Sash x
Really found this useful. I have 3 little ones now in a room, 2 boys and a girl and I have no clue on where to start. I love the idea of having one big furniture to maximise the little space that they have. Using colours to break up the space but still allowing their individual personality to shine through. My walls are not that solid so I’m not sure I’d be able to make usuage of space. Any tips for weak walls?
So glad you found this post useful :). Yes, with three children in one room space and storage will be key. If you do not have solid walls, I would suggest using those expanding wall anchors/plugs. They do a much better job of securing heavy items you want to fix to the wall. The normal wall plugs do not hook onto/into the plasterboard so it is more likely to fall off. Also if you just want to put up something light like prints or a wall hanging. Command strips are a great option. They have lots of styles that would be suitable for most items. Always check the weight allowance for these items though.