How to Create Shared Bedrooms

Not all kids are lucky enough to grow up in a house where everyone has her own bedroom. While having your own space is ideal, many kids have to share their rooms with a sibling. This undoubtedly creates some challenges for them as well as their parents, but with a few design tips, anyone can create shared bedrooms that meet everyone's needs.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

1. Interview your children. The best place to start in creating a shared space for your children is to sit down with each of them individually and ask them what they would like to see in their bedroom. You'll understand what works for each of them separately and together while giving them a sense of ownership in the design.
2. Create separate zones. Even though the kids are sharing a room, you can divide the room into 3 zones: one for each child and a general shared space. Each child can have a space near his bed for his own possessions and there can be a space that's simply for sitting or relaxing by both siblings.
3. Use color to both unify and individualize. When you find out what colors your kids want in the room, if they don't agree on the same color, you can choose complementary shades of their choices. Keep their choice of color closest to their sleeping space to define their space.
4. Invest in two single beds. If space allows, buy two separate beds rather than bunk beds. While bunks are a great space saver, the kids will still feel like they're sharing the same sleeping space. Placing two single beds in the room gives each child a place to call her own.
5. Separate space with room dividers. This is a great way to give each child his privacy without putting up permanent barriers. When one of the siblings feels like being alone, he can move his divider close to his bed and have his space, but if the two feel like sharing, they can either fold up the dividers or move them to another area of the room.
6. Encourage the kids to exercise their bragging rights. Find two empty walls and put a bulletin board on each, where the kids can display what's important to them in the bedroom. They can hang their artwork, special quotes, photos or whatever else makes them individual.
7. Give them a place to study. Even if there isn't enough free space in the bedroom for two desks, you can buy one longer table and separate it into two work areas. You may even carve out a space at the end of each bed for a small desk.

Tips & Warnings

• A shelf on the walls above the beds is another great way to give each child a place to decorate with her own style.
• If storage space is an issue, give the kids under-the-bed storage bins to keep projects or out-of-season clothes.
• Children who have to share the same dresser can establish their own drawers by painting them in different colors.

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