Creating a shared bedroom for two or more children takes some special coordinating. In addition to taking the likes and dislikes of both the kids and the designer (uh, you!) into account, you have to take storage for all of the occupants’ stuff into account. All in all, the room can get cluttered quickly! I love the simplicity and storage niches of this sunny yellow and navy shared room, which would be great for boys OR girls! (image via Better Homes and Gardens)
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6 Steps to a Stylish Gender-Neutral Shared Bedroom
1. Start With A Blank Canvas
Some might think that painting your kids’ room all white is crazy (it will just get dirty!) or sterile (like a sad orphanage!), but I think it just gives you creative and colorful license elsewhere. It’s far easier to change out bedding and accessories when your child changes favorite colors than to repaint an entire room. In your all-white design, remember that adding texture is what keeps the room looking chic instead of barren. Try a planked wall or beadboard ceiling, or beef up some beautiful moldings to add character to the monochrome. And you can never go wrong with wainscoting to add class and character!
2. Create Room For Stuff
The storage under the built-in beds and the between-studs wall cubby add storage room that is easily accessible to the kiddos without being in the way and tripped over. If you need more space, built-in bookshelves or a built-in closet are classic solutions and safe for a child’s room since they are permanently secured to the wall.
3. Add Fun Accessories
You can use accessories to bring in the colors that you and your children love, or you can buy them in white to add another layer to the monochrome texture of the room. Or do both and get neutral accessories andn decorate them with changable color, like the ric-rac on the lampshade of the fun geometric lamp in our inspiration room. Ric-rac and ribbon can be hot-glued temporarily, or washi tape is a great removable pop of color! We love the classic-but-modern curves and the great price on this lamp from Wayfair.
4. Diversify With Color And Natural Texture
Fun patterned sheets are easily replaced (and upcycle the old ones!) when you’re ready for a change. Pillows can also be replaced or easily recovered, so go wild and let your children choose colors and patterns they love. For more permanent investments like storage baskets, go with natural textures like wicker and jute to add both color and texture. A furniture piece that is part wood and part painted white (like the nightstand in our inspiration room) fits the bill perfectly!
5. Build It
If you see something you love –like these storage beds — and find that it isn’t readily available or cost-effective to purchase, give DIY a try! Ana White has great plans for just about everything, including a bed with storage, similar to our inspiration. Or, give her storage daybed or trundle bed/storage plans a try!
6. When In Doubt, DIY!
Just like with the last tip, if you find that the designer bedding or rug that you love is out of your price range, or if you can’t find something in the right color and pattern combo, give DIY a try. Older kiddos can even help, and they’ll be thrilled to tell everyone how they helped make something for their room. See how Jenny from Little Green Notebook DIYed her simple bedding here, and Sarah M. Dorsey Designs will teach you how to paint a rug.
Other inspiring and colorful shared bedrooms:
Maree Homer
Looking for more inspiration? Try our library of Get This Look posts, including
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Built-In Living Room Library | Colorful Cubbies for the Family | Pattern Mixing in Kids’ Rooms
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