Many families face the challenge of accommodating multiple children in a single room, requiring creative solutions to ensure comfort for everyone. This task becomes even trickier for parents arranging a shared space for a girl and a boy of different ages. How can you design a room that works for both a school-age boy and a kindergartener? An interior designer offers advice on zoning the space effectively and finding enough storage for the abundance of belongings that children tend to accumulate.
Before
Previously, the room was solely occupied by the brother, offering ample space for one child. However, the existing setup no longer meets daily needs, particularly the desk, where low-hanging cupboards often result in bumped heads. The main transformation awaiting this room is the arrival of the baby sister, moving from her parents' bedroom. This shift requires careful planning to ensure that the new arrangement provides enough space and functionality for both children.
After
When two children share a room with only one window, the designer suggests zoning the space into relative triangles. The widest parts should be dedicated to individual areas for each child, while the narrowest section can serve as a shared zone. This concept is effectively applied in this nursery, where it's immediately clear upon entering which corner belongs to the sister and which to the brother.Children‘s room
A corner for a girl
For the girl's corner, the designer opted for soft pink tones to create a cohesive and charming ambiance, achieved through wall colors, textiles, and carefully selected accessories. A practical highlight is the extendable bed, which can be kept compact while the child is young and later expanded into a full-sized adult bed. Along one wall, a spacious wardrobe combination provides ample storage, with a designated section for each child, higher shelves for off-season items, and open shelves with boxes for organizing everyday essentials.
Many things, little space
The small size of the overall space means that you need to be very thoughtful about how you store your belongings, so that you can keep things tidy and the room doesn't look too cluttered. In addition to the cupboards along a large part of the wall, the designer has chosen boxes with lids that can be placed under the bed – this has the advantage that you don't have to pull the box all the way out, as you can open only half the lid. In addition, there are shelves on the wall with pull-out boxes. The floor is carpeted, which is particularly useful for smaller children who like to play on the floor.SMÅSTAD storage for children
A corner for a boy
The big brother's side of the room is decorated in shades of blue, but the details match the sister's corner. For example, it has the same cupboards as the other side. A great solution for small children's rooms is a versatile bed, under which you can put drawers or shelves as needed. A spare mattress can also be put underneath if needed. A work space with a desk is planned closer to the window, where the light is better.
Organizing a space for a pupil
When your child grows up and starts school, you need to think about setting up a work and study corner. Possessions also become more and more over time. For this room, the designer has chosen a simple but practical desk and placed open shelves near it, where boxes can be easily stacked to store various learning and creative accessories. Smaller drawers can also be placed in larger drawers to better organise the contents.Children's workspace
Small storage tips & tricks
The designer recommends storing small items in boxes, where they are handy and out of sight. The boxes can be conveniently stacked on shelves. A perforated board that can be placed above the desk and accessorised with accessories is also a good solution for storing stationery and similar items.Children’s storage & organising
