The kids’ room is where your child spends most of their time — playing, learning, and dreaming. But what if space is limited? Small kids’ rooms can be a real challenge. Don’t worry: whether you’re setting up a shared room for siblings or furnishing a single kids’ room, we’ve put together some practical decorating ideas to make the space both functional and cozy. Because furnishing a small kids’ room is more manageable than you might think.
Furniture with storage space
Let’s start with the furniture. In small kids’ rooms, it’s important to make the best use of the available space. Opt for multifunctional pieces of furniture, such as loft beds with built-in storage or pull-out desks. For example, you can even build your own bed with plenty of storage using IKEA shelves like Kallax. Smart solutions like these free up more floor space for your child to play and run around.
Make the most of the room’s height by mounting shelves and cabinets on the wall. Closed cabinets create a sense of visual calm. Open shelves not only provide space for books and toys, but also serve as a decorative element. Use baskets or boxes to keep clutter at bay.
If there isn’t enough room for a regular desk, you could, for example, attach a board to the window that stretches from one side to the other and use it as a desk. This not only helps save space but can also make a long, narrow room appear shorter.
Smart Organization
Efficient organization is the key to maximizing space. Use storage boxes under the bed or in closets and on shelves to store small items.
Another handy tip is to use storage boxes with built-in casters. If you want to keep an eye on your child, you can simply roll the toy boxes into the living room or home office, and then roll them back to the kids’ room. Soon, your child will be able to roll the boxes back on their own—because rolling is much easier than carrying. By the way: You can easily buy furniture casters at a hardware store and attach them yourself to boxes you already have.
If your child can already read, you can simply label the boxes so they can find what they’re looking for more easily.
There are some really nice storage boxes and benches available online (Advertisement – Clicking on the respective image will take you to Amazon*):
Tips for a Shared Kids’ Room
Often, there’s only enough space in a shared kids’ room for a bunk bed. In this case, it’s important to give the children the opportunity to personalize their own space. A curtain in front of the bed or a canopy can offer each child a certain amount of privacy while also creating a cozy atmosphere.
Before you buy a bunk bed, measure the room carefully to make sure the bed fits well. There are different types of bunk beds, including ones where the bottom bed is almost on the floor. These are especially practical for small children, since the top bed isn’t too high. Even more versatile, however, are beds with built-in storage, such as drawers under the bed or side steps that make it easier to climb into the top bunk. There are even bunk beds with built-in side cabinets that offer additional storage space.
Storage beds are available in a variety of styles. I’ve put together a selection for you here (Advertisement – Clicking on the image will take you to Amazon*):
Colors for Small Kids’ Rooms
And now for the colors. Light colors and pastel shades make small rooms appear larger and more airy. They reflect natural light and create a welcoming atmosphere.
That’s why some articles recommend always using light-colored wall paint. We think this advice is too general. It always depends on what you and your child like. Older children and teens, in particular, sometimes want a dark room that feels a bit like a cave.
You can also use different wall colors to visually divide the room into separate areas, such as a sleeping area and a play area. In a shared room, you can also use different wall colors to visually divide the space into personal areas.
Be creative!
Let your creativity run wild. You don’t necessarily have to buy expensive furniture to design a room that reflects your child’s personal tastes. Sometimes all it takes is some blue paint and a few glow-in-the-dark adhesive stars to invite your child to dream of outer space.
Star Pillow and Moon Curtain (Advertisement – Clicking on the respective image will take you to Amazon*):
Playhouse Beds (Advertisement – Clicking on the image will take you to Amazon*):
![[en.casa] Kinderbett Netstal Hausbett Bodenbett aus Kiefernholz für Kinderzimmer mit Lattenrost ohne Matratze 90 x 200 cm Holzfarben Natur](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41GeCIS0LTL._SL500_.jpg)
Another option is to create simple wall art, such as a picture of a tree. The pictures don’t have to be perfect, but they add atmosphere to the room without actually taking up any physical space.
Furniture can also be easily transformed. For example, you don’t have to buy a playhouse bed: With a few extra wooden slats, you can turn a regular bed into a little house yourself. Or use a few sticks and some fabric to create a teepee. If you’re ready to get creative, it’s not that hard to transform your child’s room into a space for dreams and adventures!
Furnishing Small Kids’ Rooms
Whether you’re setting up a shared room or a single room, it’s important that the space reflects your children’s personalities while also being cozy and inviting. And always remember that flexibility is key, since your children’s needs and tastes will change over time.
We hope you have fun setting it up!
Looking for more tips on furnishing small kids’ rooms? Browse our Small Kids’ Room category for more inspiration!
Disclaimer: The images in this article were created using graphic design software such as Midjourney and Photoshop. This means that the products shown are not available for purchase exactly as pictured. Feel free to use this as inspiration for a DIY project by purchasing an existing product and customizing or adding to it yourself. Alternatively, a carpenter can design and build a product like the one in the photos for you.
