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Can kids share a bedroom? We've got 7 ways to make it work

Kristy Withers from Incy Interiors shares her tips for shared room success

By Kristy Withers

Founder Incy Interiors / October 19 2020

Kids sharing a bedroom can make a lot of sense for many reasons.

Firstly there's logistics: two or three in one room might be essential if there's not room to spare.

Then there's comfort reasons: if a child has fears around sleeping in their own room, bunking in with a sibling is a sure-fire way to help them feel at ease.

However there's no denying there's a few challenges when it comes to siblings sharing a bedroom, both style-wise and, well ... sharing-wise!

Check out how we made it work for siblings Polly and Oscar below ...

Incy Interiors founder Kristy Withers, is the clever and creative mind behind the premium designer baby and children’s furniture company, Incy Interiors (Image: Supplied)

7 ways to make a shared bedroom for kids work

#1 – Input required

Get your kids involved with designing the space so that they can help make the space their own. I got my children to create their own Pinterest board which made them feel part of the process and that it wasn’t just dictated by the parents! Your children are much more likely to be on board sharing the space if they’ve had a part to play in how it has been designed.

#2 – Divide the room

Children’s rooms are their space, and this remains true when they share. Dividing the room into separate spaces allows each child to have their own area which they can have ownership over.

WATCH: Kristy Withers creates a shared bedroom for Oscar and Polly. Continues after video ...

#3 - Mix & match

Don’t feel the pressure to make the space match. Keep the palette neutral for the walls & floors but then embrace the differences of each child and allow them to show their personality through their bedding & styling accessories.

#4 – Storage

If you have two children sharing a room one thing you are going to need is storage. Ottomons are great for this, as they provide not only a place to store toys (which you are going to have a lot of) but also an extra sitting space for children too.

Creating 'zones' for each child is essential in a shared room. (Image: Incy Interiors)

#5 – Spend smart

Don’t skimp on the big things. Invest in quality furniture that won’t date and can grow with the child too. Spend less on accessories as these are the easy elements to update as children get older and their taste changes.

#6 – Set the rules

Rules are essential. Create a set of rules that both children have agreed to. In our home we set rules around bedtimes, whether Oscar can jump across Polly’s bed to get to his (no he can’t!), if Polly can store her teddy in Oscars’ dresser etc.