How to optimize space for siblings sharing a bedroom

After sleeping a few feet away from my older sister for almost half of my life, I have a pretty good understanding of all of the triumphs and challenges that come with sharing a room, from squabbles to sleepless nights. As more couples plan on starting families in condo units, siblings have a greater likelihood of sharing a bedroom.

In most cases, when siblings have to share a room, it ends up being the site of some epic arguments; however, it also serves as the backdrop to cherished childhood memories.

Try out these tips to help your kids avoid arguments and optimize their space:

1) Keep it simple

When it comes time to decorate your children’s shared room, keep it simple. Once there is an overabundance of objects in the room, it will start to appear smaller and smaller, leaving less room for kids to play, and the closer the quarters, the more opportunities there will be to squabble.

Aside from essentials like beds, storage, and maybe a desk for homework, keep a clear floor plan so that kids don’t feel as though they’re stepping over each other.

2) Take sleeping to new heights

Bunk beds are a great way to save space and channel summer camp vibes all year long. Not only do they use vertical space, but they also give kids a sought-after sense of solitude by putting them out of sight of one another. This can be especially helpful when it’s time to do homework or even during time-outs.

For bigger rooms, where there is space to have two beds on the ground, you can take advantage of vertical space and use above-bed shelving to personalize each child’s side of the room.

3) Create the illusion of more space

Sharing a room with someone can make you feel like you don’t have any personal space, so hanging full length mirrors will help ease the tension. The mirrors are great for creating the illusion of space, and they are useful when the kids are getting ready for school.

4) Find out which bedtime strategy works best

Depending on the ages of the children sharing a room, bedtime is something to take into consideration. While some families find it easier to enforce one bedtime for both kids, others prefer staggered bedtimes. Usually, bedtimes will be determined by the child’s age. If they are close in age, then going to bed at the same time makes sense. If one of your children is a few years older, then it makes more sense for the younger to hit the sack first. There are pros and cons to each option and the efficacy ultimately depends on the children.

5) Make sure the space is equal

While overlap is inevitable in a shared space, it’s always important to ensure that the bedroom combines elements of each child’s personality and reflects their respective interests. Matching sheets are cute and consistent but try to find a way to represent each child in the bedroom’s design and decor.

For older children, you can involve them in the decorating process. This way, even though they are sharing the space, they feel a sense of ownership knowing that the room reflects their own taste. This may incite some arguments but it will ultimately serve as a great lesson in compromise, with the siblings working together to create a cohesive look for the room that still showcases their personal styles.

We hope that these tips make sharing a bedroom more of a pleasure and less of a pain for parents and kids!