Whether it's out of necessity or just for fun, many families face the challenge of creating a shared bedroom or nursery for their little ones. We've all seen traditional bunk beds, but there are plenty of ways to upgrade the standard split sibling space to make it truly one of a kind. Here, 24 creative and fun solutions to creating an extraspecial room for two (or more!) kiddos to call their very own.
A Tiny Bedroom Turned Triplet Oasis
While living in a small space can force families to cut down on the clutter and carefully edit their toys, kids will inevitably feel constrained by limited areas. Bob and Cortney Novogratz know all about small homes. The designing duo, and stars of HGTV's Home by Novogratz [1], have lived in and around New York City with their seven kids. The couple helped a friend-of-a-friend convert a small bedroom in NYC's Hell's Kitchen into a clean, functional room for 4-year-old triplets. Click here [2] to see what the designers used to make it functional and fun for the tykes.
Photos by Matthew Williams
Adella and Nolan's Creative, Book-Filled Playroom
When Lexi Adams — a former fashion designer, blogger [3], and mom to Adella, 4, and toddler Noah — was looking for a new house with her husband, Tim, finding a home with a potential play space was at the top of her wish list. While the home they found wasn't quite playroom-ready, after two years of renovation and lots of trips to Ikea, they turned what was a home office into a light, gender-neutral, creativity-boosting playroom and tot-friendly library. Click here [4] to find out how Lexi created such an awesome playroom on a budget.
Source: Adella & Co. [5]
Baby Valentin's Shared Nursery and Guest Room Space
"Like any creative project, designing Valentin's nursery was both a challenge and a wonderful time of joy for me," said Caroline Colom Vasquez [6], proud mama and founder of online marketplace Paloma's Nest. The room, which was designed before Valentin's gender was known, was to serve as a space that could grow with the baby and, in the meantime, accommodate visiting grandparents. Click through [7] to see little Valentin's whimsical, one-of-a-kind bedroom!
Photos by Agnes Blum [8] and Jesse Ryan Photography [9]
A Serene, Dreamy Nursery For Twins
Some might call Susan Hutchinson — an interior designer [10] who focuses on baby and kid spaces, an event and editorial stylist [11], and a blogger [12] — a bit crazy for creating an almost-all-white nursery for her twin boy and girl. But the serene space totally makes sense to us. Those little ones are sure to bring enough color into the West Chester, PA, mom-to-be's life! Click here [13] to check out the cream, gray, and white space.
Source: Nesting LLC [14]
A Modern, Neutral Nursery
We love when parents find a way to make shared spaces feel cohesive and thoughtful. Case in point: the gender-neutral New York City nursery [15] created by first-time parents Robyn and Joe Wallace. The couple didn't find out the gender of their baby before she was born (welcome, Scarlett!), yet they managed to create a beautiful, calming space that works for both baby and grown-ups. Click here [16] to check out the details.
Source: Studio 1208 [17]
A Twin-Tastic Nursery For a Lucky Boy and Girl
Stylish LA mom-to-be Kelly Zajfen [18] faced the ultimate design challenge when she found out she was having boy and girl twins. Not only would she have to fit two babies into a small room, but she would also have to find gender-neutral items that suited her modern-chic tastes. She met the challenge with Stokke cribs, custom-made sheets, a gorgeous (and inexpensive) wall map, and a crochet elephant head [19] that's long been on our wish list. See more photos here [20].
Source: Oh Hello Mommyhood [21]
Four Girls, One Room
We're not the only ones who have redecorated with a little help from Pinterest [22]. When Shannon of Googie Momma [23] was brainstorming how to fit her five children (four girls, one boy) into two bedrooms, a pin from another mom-to-many blogger [24] inspired her to create a bunk room for her girls. The end result is a magical shared space [25] for four little heads to rest. Keep reading [26] to check out all the red, aqua, and striped details.
Source: Googie Momma [27]
Martha Stewart's Grandchildren's Space
When your grandmother is Martha Stewart [28] (shh, don't call her Grandma, though), you can rest assured that your bedroom and playroom are more than just spaces to throw a few toys. Jude and Truman Stewart, 17 and 5 months old, respectively, are living the high life in a serene NYC triplex that their mom, Alexis Stewart, decorated as an urban oasis. In true Stewart form, both rooms are not only beautiful, but also practical, with furniture that can stay with the kids well past their infant and toddler stages. Click here [29] to see more photos.
Copyright © 2012,
A Hip, Shared Space For Baby Adela and Her Big Brother
Amanda de Beaufort is not only the brains behind amazing kids blog Coos & Ahhs [31], but she's also the mother of two small children: newborn Adela and toddler Henry. Until her family's recent move to a larger place in Brooklyn in anticipation of Adela's arrival, Henry actually shared a room with his parents, so their new two-bedroom space is a luxury in terms of square footage. But it still comes with the obvious challenges of putting a busy toddler boy in the same space as an infant girl. Luckily for these two tots, their mama is seriously gifted when it comes to design, and the room she created for them is stocked with amazing finds. Click here [32] to check out the chic shared space.
Source: Coos & Ahhs [33]
Mariah Carey's Twins' Nursery
Before her twins' birth, Mariah Carey [34] gave an exclusive interview and tour of the duo's Bel Air and NYC rooms to Life & Style [35], revealing that the nurseries for her son and daughter match but aren't identical so they can "celebrate the twins as separate entities." Forgoing pink and blue color schemes, the classically decorated nursery is primarily outfitted in green, with pink accents (and butterflies, of course) scattered throughout. Click here [36] to see more photos.
Source: Lisa Rose for Life & Style [37]
Vintage-Mod Bedroom and Playroom For Two
California-based wedding photographer Raya Carlisle [38] has a house that's big on style but supersmall (about 1,300 square feet) on space. But with a little creative decorating, including turning a seldom-used formal dining room into a playroom and keeping the two kids' room gender-neutral with distinctive, individual spaces, Carlisle has created a home that feels eclectic and warm, kid-friendly but grown-up, cozy, and not cramped. And that's no small task. Click here [39] for all the beautiful details.
Source: Raya Carlisle [40]
An Antique-y Nursery For Two (With a Fireplace Just For Kids)
Kirsten Marchand, a retail designer for New Balance and design blogger [41], dreamed about what her nursery would look like long before she was even pregnant. "I wanted to create a nursery that could grow with the kids," says the mom of boy and girl twin toddlers. "I had kept a folder filled with inspiration for years before we started our family, so the nursery truly was a labor of love. One of the best surprises was how functional the nursery ended up being for two very tired parents — plenty of places for storage and play."
With its sophisticated, historic vibe, special art and toy finds, and muted color palette, the nursery isn't a departure from the style of the rest of the farmhouse, which was originally built in the 1700s and is located on Boston's North Shore. But with two cribs (Ikea finds made to look antique with Old Fashioned Milk Paint [42]) and two toddling residents, this room is all about creating a cozy, kid-friendly family space. Keep clicking [43] to see all the details.
Source: Kirsten Marchand [44] and Malcolm Brown [45]
A Crisp, Cool Shared Sibling Space
This shared brother-sister space shows that gender-neutral doesn't have to mean dull! Bold, wide aqua and white stripes give the room a fresh feel, and pops of color are everywhere from the nightstand to the lantern and tissue paper mobile.
From A to Z
Trios of wall art initials establish each sister's very own sleep space in this cozy, vintagey bedroom.
The Most Modern, Versatile Bunk Beds Ever
Take a good, long look at this impressive custom bunk bed setup — you won't believe all of the incredible built-in storage, sleep, and play space. It adds a superfuturistic look to this cool kids room.
All in a Row
If you have a long, horizontal space and lots of kids to accommodate (or frequent sleepover guests), here's proof that you can fit everyone in — in style. Matching beds and bedding establishes continuity, while an eclectic assortment of art adds plenty of personality.
Meet Me in the Middle
There's no doubt that these sisters don't mind sharing a bedroom. A dining set that's just their size makes for lots of fun tea parties and girl talk.
Pretty in Pink
Bunk beds don't have to look overly "kiddie" or modern. This Pottery Barn Kids room setup makes for a traditional shared sleep space that incorporates plenty of pretty, feminine details.
An Elegant Sister Space
This shared girls room by Serena & Lily is so dreamy, we'd take it for ourselves! The nailhead-embellished headboards will easily grow with the girls, and the linen-covered walls add a clean, beachy feel.
Gender-Neutral and So Much Fun!
Choosing a modern look can help you appease all of your little tenants. Hanging bunk beds are an added bonus!
Side by Side
Push their beds together! Being closer to a big brother or big sister can be comforting for younger siblings — and it will give you a little more room to work with.
A Sleek Bunk Bed System
Two children plus one bedroom equals storage problem! Bunking up gives your tots more room to store all of their belongings.
The Sweetest Dreams
The idea of sharing a bedroom with a younger sibling might not be so appealing for some kiddos. Create a whimsical space (with your children's input) that incorporates all of their favorite things.
Room For Four
You may have enough room for three or more twin beds, but splurging on a custom bunk bed can pay off big. Your tots will have more room to run around, and you'll avoid clutter-induced headaches!