How To Make One Bedroom Work For Two Kids

Shared bedrooms are great for kids aged up to 10, after which those little ones will start outgrowing the space and want more privacy. Under 10, most kids find sleeping together fun, and it helps to form a strong sibling bond.

However, there are four questions to ask yourself:

• Do your children get on? Do they fight often? A shared bedroom will be challenging to sell if your children don't get on.  
• Do your children like the idea of sharing a bedroom? If they like the idea, it's full steam ahead. 
• What is the age gap? Consider if different bedtime routines and schedules will negatively impact one of the children.
• How big is the bedroom? While there are some nifty space-saving beds, sometimes a room is too small to accommodate everyone.

If you can answer those four questions with no stutters, you can safely move on to the next step: deciding on sleeping arrangements.

Deciding on sleeping arrangements 

There are many ways to make one-bedroom sleeping arrangements work for two kids, from bunk beds to twin beds. Most kids love bunk beds, but they might not work for you.

Here are your main options:

Bunk beds

There are over five different bunk bed types designed to save space. Bunk beds close to the ground are a popular option for younger children, and you can also get trundle bunks with a pull-out bed.

The downside to bunk beds is that the top bunk is dangerous for children, especially those under 8. It would help if you were confident that the bed is safe before letting children use it. If in doubt, err on the side of caution.

Twin beds

Twin beds are the most desirable option if the room has enough space. Kid's beds are smaller than standard singles, so you might be able to squeeze two into a small room with enough space for a chest and wardrobe.           

The downside to twin beds is they take up twice as much floor space as bunk beds, which may be impossible. Kid's beds are small singles (one up from a toddler bed) measuring 2'6" (76 cm, 30") x 6'3" (190 cm, 75"), give or take a few cm.

Miniaturise furniture

Wardrobes and chests should be as slender as possible, which will reduce the amount of floor space taken. You can always add an extra drawer height to a chest and get wardrobes with built-in shelves and drawers.

Dual-purpose furniture like sofa beds and benches with storage and stackable storage boxes are also handy. Generally, flatpack furniture is more compact than hardwood furniture, helping you save space.

(Pictured above)

The Pegasus High Sleeper is the ultimate functional bedroom furniture for kids and teenagers. Finished in timeless matt white with silver-grey accents, Pegasus features an efficient pull-out wardrobe with an integral storage drawer, maximising the space available within its compact footprint.

The robust desk includes further storage drawers, cable holes, and ample headroom for even the tallest kids to work comfortably. The strong ladder has further hidden handy storage cupboards at every step.

Make lighting fun

Disco lights are great for children's bedrooms, adding pops and splashes of colour for playtime. Alternatively, you can use bright light bulbs with adjustable colours, letting your children set the colours of their bedroom.

Also, flood the room with as much natural light as possible. White window blinds are perfect for children's bedrooms because they can be tilted to reflect light into the bedroom and offer excellent privacy.

Get clever with storage! 

Ultimately, the liveability of any bedroom depends on storage. Children have lots of toys, clutter, clothes, and random stuff from around the house. So, you need storage that tidies up the bedroom and makes things accessible.

Here are some ideas:

• Wall pocket organiser for bits and bats
• Over-the-door pocket hanging organiser
• Seat bench with storage/toy box that doubles as a seat
• Stackable plastic storage boxes
• Tall chest of drawers (anchored to the wall for safety)
• Bunk beds with storage (drawers built into the lower bunk)

Summing up

Overall, you can make one bedroom work for two kids splendidly. The trick is to prioritise sleeping arrangements and fit everything else in afterwards.

Look to save floor space with slender, taller, more practical furniture, and don't be afraid to use the walls for storage.

Related pages

• The Bedstar Guide to Bunk Bed Safety
• Bunk Beds and Mattresses – Buying Guide