- 1. Traditional twin beds create a hotel-smart shared bedroom
- 2. Stick to a lighter color scheme when the room is small
- 3. Embrace symmetry in a shared bedroom
- 4. Build in bunkbeds for a den-like feel
- 5. Choose a theme for a cohesive shared bedroom
- 6. Embrace bolder colors that have longevity
- 7. Choose statement headboards to create a coordinated look
- 8. Pull a shared bedroom scheme together with wallpaper
- 9. Create a unique hideaway
- 10. Build storage into shared bedroom ideas
- 11. Use a curtain to separate a shared bedroom
It can be tricky designing a shared bedroom and figuring out how to divide a kid's bedroom fairly and effectively. You may have twins, or two children of different ages who love to share – or are simply tight on space and have no other option.
Creating a magical shared space that will keep both children happy and dividing a shared bedroom so that each child has their own individual area is a fine art.
The size of the room can be an issue too, so we’ve sourced bedroom ideas, design tips and advice for rooms of all shapes and sizes, for both boys and girls, and for different ages and stages.
Shared bedroom ideas
The first consideration when thinking about shared bedroom ideas is floor space. If you are lucky enough to have a separate playroom, you can give the bedroom over to twin beds, creating a calm haven for children to unwind and sleep in.
If, however, you have less square footage, bunk beds or loft beds will be a better choice, so that there's room for play and study.
The next consideration is how to divide a shared bedroom into two – and this, again, is down to floor and wall space. Below, you'll find kids' room ideas for shared bedrooms of all styles and sizes.
1. Traditional twin beds create a hotel-smart shared bedroom
Making a shared bedroom feel special is key to ensure both residents are happy, and simple design tricks like placing a canopy above each bed head will create a truly magical feel. When the children are in bed it will create a little privacy for each, and block light if one likes to read before bed and one doesn't.
This shared bedroom idea will work particularly well in period properties that suit a grand gesture – keep the drape choice light and airy like in this smart scheme by Albion Nord so they enhance space rather than dominating.
2. Stick to a lighter color scheme when the room is small
Shared rooms are not always the largest, so it’s worth considering neutral colors, which can work best as a kids' room color idea as it will make the space feel larger and be a clean backdrop to introduce plenty of color. It will allow for two color schemes to be introduced too if your children would like to have different colors in their part of the room.
‘I love Repose Gray SW 7015 because it’s a true, neutral gray that has always been a top seller,’ explains Sue Wadden, director of color marketing at Sherwin-Williams. ‘It pairs well with so many textures and finishes, making it the perfect blank canvas for a shared space.'
3. Embrace symmetry in a shared bedroom
By their nature, shared bedrooms can get a bit chaotic: two people (usually children) in one space, two styles and tastes in one space, two lots of stuff in one space. Embracing symmetry can bring a sense of order that remains no matter how busy the room gets.
A shared room layout lends itself well to symmetry because you will likely need two of most things. Use the beds as the starting point, add a side table in between (or one on either side), and then use the space above the bed to really enhance the feeling of symmetry, with matching artworks above the bed. Not everything needs to match. You can tweak aspects like the artwork and the bedding so the spaces mirror each other but still feel unique.
4. Build in bunkbeds for a den-like feel
There will be a certain age where the idea of a bunk bed is the most exciting possibility, and it also so happens to be a great option for a shared bedroom, especially if that shared bedroom is on the smaller side.
Building bunk beds into an alcove is a great use of space and can create a den-like feel that your kids will love. Plus, as perfectly demonstrated by this kids' small bedroom, this design of bunk bed creates almost two mini rooms, ideal for the occupants to feel like they have their own space and a bit of privacy.
The color choice here is fabulous too – using a lighter blue on the top and dark blue below gives the bed depth and makes for an interesting visual space. It also makes the pieces feel even more distinct.
At each bed head, there’s a little niche shelf too, a great idea for a glass of water, book, and light.
5. Choose a theme for a cohesive shared bedroom
Choosing a theme in a shared bedroom might not be straightforward, but if you can find a general theme that both occupants love, it will bring a cohesiveness to the space that shared bedrooms can often lack.
You don't need to go hard on the theme, but subtle design choices that will link the two sides of the space together will work. Here, the theme of aeroplanes is brought in with the wallpaper, the bedding, and a few bits of smaller decor. It's not so set on one theme that it limits what other decor, colors, and patterns you can add into the space.
6. Embrace bolder colors that have longevity
Ditch the stereotypical pastel shades for girls and ramp it up a notch with bright pink and mauve, as in this lovely shared bedroom by House of Jade Interiors.
It will see you past the toddler stage and up towards early teens. Keeping furniture white will ensure it goes with anything as your and their tastes change – and pop in a metallic for a touch of glamor.
Artwork also enhances any shared bedroom – you can use it as a starting point for a scheme or simply enjoy the colors and design.
7. Choose statement headboards to create a coordinated look
This is actually a great shared bedroom idea if you are creating a space for adults too, like in a guest bedroom that has twin beds. Choosing two matching statement headboards will ground the room, and give it symmetry, as we mentioned earlier.
Choosing a bold, or slightly taller, headboard also zones the two beds; it makes them feel more like two separate spaces.
8. Pull a shared bedroom scheme together with wallpaper
Children's bedroom wallpaper ideas are a fabulous way to pull a scheme together as Nina Tarnowski, founder of Woodchip & Magnolia explains:
‘Reimagine your children’s shared bedroom into a space they could only dream of with wallpaper. Be brave with your choice of color and pattern, and create a bedroom that the kids can’t wait to play and sleep in.'
'For a room that two siblings can share and one that offers longevity, opt for warmer tones that feel more grown up – this will ensure the décor grows with them. A delicate floral design in shades of mature pinks balanced by soft neutrals is a great option.’
9. Create a unique hideaway
This is a shared bedroom idea made for both kids and adults, it looks stylish and works with the features in the room, but also such a fun space for the children. It’s essentially a wooden hideout built around existing bunk beds at one end of a large room.
The result is a sleeping space that can be shut away behind wooden doors, so the space can also incorporate playroom ideas for the daytime.
As the entire scheme is painted in the same blue, the whole structure blends together perfectly. The rustic beams and floorboards add a log cabin feel but with a modern twist, creating a place that kids will love to spend time in.
10. Build storage into shared bedroom ideas
Good bedroom storage ideas are a must in shared bedrooms, as it's likely that floor space will be limited. This can extend from under-bed drawers on wheels to niches for kids to store their books, favorite toys, and nighttime drinks, and good vertical storage that has a small footprint but plenty of shelf and hanging space.
When choosing or specifying storage furniture for shared bedroom ideas, think ahead to what your children might need in two or three years' time. This might mean something as simple as having movable shelves that you can adjust to go from storing teddies to gaming equipment, for example.
11. Use a curtain to separate a shared bedroom
If your shared bedroom needs to be more like two separate spaces, this is a really simple way to create those more distinct zones – hang a drape between the two beds that you can pull over when needed.
Of course, you could replace the drape with a stud wall that would give each child a cubby, but this is a flexible, instant option that can allow light into both sides of the room, should you not be able to position both beds opposite a window.
Note the under-bed storage, which is always a practical and accessible option, and the bedside wall lamps that allow each child some independence in deciding lights out time.
How do I arrange a shared bedroom?
Symmetry always works in a shared bedroom, whether it's for kids or adults. Arranging a shared bedroom so that two matching beds sit side by side with matching side tables inbetween is a great place to start. From there you can add individual decor, but space will always feel more cohesive because of the layout.
Note how every bedroom in this gallery that has beds has that layout, bar the one that tops and tails the beds, which if you have the space can be a nice alternative arrangement. This allows for each child to have a side of the room as their own. You can still take the symmetrical approach and mirror the furniture on each side.
How do you make a shared bedroom fun?
Making shared bedroom ideas fun can be split into two distinct areas: the decor and the play elements of the room.
First to decor, which can range from fun wallpaper prints to murals and create-their-own wall art with chalk drawings on blackboard paint. Choosing calming colors – blues, greens, and pastels – will help create a fun space that feels somewhere they can also unwind in, which is vital.
Now to play areas: this is all about maximizing floor or tabletop space so that kids can indulge in the activities they enjoy. So, floor space will be useful for children who love to set out train tracks, while larger tabletops (under which you can hide storage drawers) are perfect for creatives or for rooms where there is little storage elsewhere.
Bunks can be fun in a shared bedroom, especially if set up with a safe slide for quick exits and, of course, if you have room, a climbing wall with padded flooring beneath is the ultimate toy for kids who need to let off steam physically.
Personalization is also important in a shared space, so if you can, give each child their own display and storage space – on opposite walls or adjacent on the same walls. This will give them pride in that area (and may even foster competitive tidying – we live in hope). And this may be a good space to site individual desks, too.
