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Kids' bedroom ideas and organisation tips
Designing a child's bedroom should be fun. It's a great place to use colour and pattern, but also requires some savvy storage solutions to keep the toys in check, as well as creating a space that can grow with your child.
From beds and futureproof furniture to storage and decor, here are some creative ideas to inspire the perfect kids' bedroom.
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Kids' beds
Kids' bed ideas - in pictures
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A large collection of images displayed on this page are available at https://www.which.co.uk/reviews/storage-and-organisation/article/kids-bedroom-ideas-aSlCO6M3OpFq
Novelty beds
For a touch of whimsy, consider novelty beds shaped like cars, princess carriages or even treehouses. These fun designs can transform bedtime into a magical adventure.
Bear in mind that your child will grow out of these beds quite quickly, so it’s worth looking into second-hand options for a more sustainable choice.
Once they've outgrown the bed, you could consider converting it into a desk or storage bin. You could also remove the trim to mount on the wall as part of the decor. Alternatively, you could donate or sell the bed on a second-hand marketplace.
The suitable age for novelty beds is generally around 2-5 years old.
Cabin beds
Cabin beds are an excellent choice for small spaces. The bed itself sits on a raised platform, usually with built-in cupboards or drawers underneath.
Some cabin beds have open space underneath, in which case you could turn the space into a den or reading nook, adding curtains to create a secret play area.
Kids won't grow out of these as quickly as they would a novelty bed. Plus, if you have a box room with a visible staircase bulkhead, a built-in cabin bed is a great way to disguise it.
The suitable age for a cabin bed is generally around 6-12 years old.
Bunk beds
Bunk beds are perfect for children sharing a smaller bedroom, as they maximise floor space.
Like all other raised beds, the child using the top bunk will need to be older than six to ensure they can safely climb the ladder.
Once you no longer need a bunk bed, you could potentially repurpose it into a high sleeper (see below), with space underneath for a desk or play area. If you're competent at DIY, you'll find suggestions for how to do this online. If not, use Which? Trusted Traders to find a reliable carpenter.
The suitable age for a bunk bed is generally around 6-14 years old.
Support your growing family: Our expert advice can help you make the right choices, from improving your home to planning your finances
High sleepers
High sleepers, also known as loft beds, are similar to cabin beds but elevated higher. This means they have space for larger, built-in furniture, such as a wardrobe or desk.
They're a great option if you have teenagers or you want to invest in your children's furniture, as it gives your children space to study in their bedroom.
The suitable age for a high sleeper bed is generally around 8+.
Read more about beds for children in how to buy the best bed
Paint ideas for kids' bedrooms
Colours
If you’re considering renovating your child’s bedroom, start by choosing a colour scheme.
Neutral tones are more calming, and you can easily inject some colour into the space with soft furnishings and posters (which are much easier to change as your child grows and their tastes change).
On the other hand, bold colours will allow your child to make a statement and reflect their personality.
Some interior decorators go by the 70-20-10 rule: choose a neutral colour for 70% of the room and two accent colours for the remaining 20% and 10%.
Paint
Paint gives you the freedom to be more experimental with your decor. You could even create zones by painting the area behind the desk as the study area, around the beds as the sleep area, and the play corner or reading nook in yet another colour.
Consider the type of paint, too. Washable paints are a great way to keep a child's room clean from even the grubbiest of little fingers. If your child is more boisterous, it might be worth looking into scuff-resistant options.
We always recommend patch-testing your paint before a renovation to ensure you're happy with the colour and finish.
We tested brands including Dulux and Farrow & Ball to find the best washable paints
Wallpaper
Wallpaper is another option for adding texture and visual interest to a child's bedroom. Kids' wallpapers featuring animals, astronauts, balloons, ballerinas, dinosaurs and rainbows are now widely available. You can also choose wallpaper from your child's favourite TV shows or books if you want to create a themed room.
Another option is a wall mural, which allows you to transform an entire wall into an exciting zoo, jungle, circus, fairy garden or even a scene from outer space.
Just bear in mind that your child is likely to change their mind about what they like as they grow, so be prepared to redecorate every few years. If you’d rather not, consider wallpapering just one wall as a feature wall, or try a peel-and-stick wallpaper, which is much easier to change.
How to age-proof kids' bedroom decor
'Kids grow up fast, so here's how to create a space that will really stand the test of time,' says Amanda Foster of Foster Decor Consulting. 'Use removable wallpaper or decals for easy updates as tastes change, because let's face it, today's superhero fan might not always be. And incorporate easily changeable elements like bedding, artwork and accessories.
'Use adjustable furniture such as extendable beds or height-adjustable desks – it's like furniture that grows with your kids. Choose timeless pieces that can transition from kids' to teen rooms – today's play area can be tomorrow's study nook.'
If you want to ensure your child's bedroom will age well, then consider how it will stand up to a little mess. Opt for washable paints and carpets where possible, or consider adding a washable rug.
We've surveyed thousands of shoppers to discover the best furniture, homeware and DIY shops, as well as the best baby shops
Creating nooks and reading dens
Design cosy reading nooks with cushions, blankets and shelves filled with books to create an inviting space for children to foster a love of reading. Fairy lights will add cosiness, and torches a sense of adventure, but make sure the lighting is bright enough to read by.
You can create a nook under the stairs, or using any raised furniture (such as a cabin or high sleeper bed). Alternatively, drape light fabrics from a ceiling hook.
You could also get yourself a play tent, such as Ikea's HÖVLIG (£35) or Costway's kids play tent with washable mat (£50).
Creating desk space
It can be helpful to create a dedicated desk area for homework, art projects or creative play. Start by choosing a desk and chair that are the right size for your child. This is another piece of furniture they might grow out of, so consider shopping second-hand to save money.
Alternatively, opt for a desk with adjustable legs, such as the Ikea Pahl (£45). You could even convert what you have by buying the adjustable legs separately, which are available from retailers such as Amazon.
If you’re worried about how to display or store all of your little artist’s masterpieces, the internet is awash with kids’ art frames. These swing open so you can easily swap in the latest creation and store the older pictures behind it.
Discover some popular desk options in our home office desk-buying guide
Ideas for smaller kids' bedrooms
Making the most of smaller spaces often comes down to making smart choices about furniture and storage, but also think about zoning the room to make the most of the space.
Under-bed storage
Utilise space under the bed for storing toys, clothes or extra bedding, but consider how accessible the storage is before tucking away things you need regularly. If it’s a harder spot to access, consider using the space to store seasonal items. Drawers with wheels on will help keep things within easy reach.
Cabin beds, bunk beds and high sleepers, as outlined above, are all a great way to create more space in a small bedroom.
Fold-out furniture
If you want your child to have their own desk but don’t have space, then consider a fold-out option.
A fold-down desk won’t take up much floor space when not in use, and many options also have storage inside so you can simply close away any mess. A folding chair will also help to keep the floor space clear.
To create more floor space for play, you could also consider a fold-out bed (also known as a Murphy bed or wall bed), but bear in mind that these are generally expensive.
Optimise storage
In any small space, it’s important to find smart storage solutions. As well as keeping drawers tidy with various storage cubes, think about optimising vertical storage with hooks and shelves at lower levels for kids to reach, with taller storage units securely fastened to the wall for tucking away items that you use less frequently.
Consider hooks to hang dressing gowns or fancy-dress costumes, hanging show racks that hang over doors or wardrobe rails, and wall-mounted boxes, baskets and hammocks to keep soft toys off the floor.
Open shelving is ideal for things you use regularly, or to display favourite toys, while messy toys can be tidied away into boxes in cube units. Struggling with tricky toys such as Lego? The Ikea Trofast (£64.50) is a popular choice for parents sick of finding tiny bricks embedded in the soles of their feet – the different sizes and colours of the compartments make it easier to organise Lego by colour and type.
Ikea's Flisat wall storage (£15) is a great option for keeping books and teddies off the floor but in easy reach – just mount them at a height that suits your child. Dunelm's Pippa wall bookshelf is similar, and the same price, but comes in a variety of colours.
For more ways to keep the clutter at bay, including toy storage ideas, read our guide to clever storage ideas for your growing family
Budget bedroom ideas for kids
Wall stickers and decals
Wall stickers are cheaper and easier to install than paint or wallpaper, making them a great budget option.
Sticking them on the wall is a fun project to work on with your child, and you have the freedom to stick them wherever you like to create a customised feature.
Decals are similar to stickers, but are actually transfers, giving you the flexibility of transferring intricate designs to walls without the solid backing of a sticker.
Wall stickers and decals are often removeable, so you can update the designs easily as your child grows. Stubborn stickers may need some gentle heat to soften the adhesive, for example with a hairdryer, but be mindful that any adhesive has the potential to peel off paint if not removed carefully.
Use online marketplaces or trade with friends
Second-hand shopping is a great way to pick up a bargain and make a more sustainable choice. You might be able to get a better-quality item of furniture than you could buy new for the same price.
It's also ideal if you have your heart set on something quite age-specific that you know your child will soon grow out of. You can resell it when you no longer need it, too.
If your friends have older children, they may also be looking to part with some of their older furniture – just keep your eyes and ears peeled for a bargain.
Read our expert advice for shopping on second-hand and vintage sites such as Amazon, Depop, eBay and Gumtree
Ikea kids' bedroom ideas
Ikea offers a wide range of reasonably priced and functional furniture and storage solutions for children's bedrooms, as well as toys.
We asked Ikea for the most popular children's room purchases in the UK in 2023, and the results include a number of adjustable beds and customisable storage solutions that allow you to make changes as your kids grow:
- Småstad loft bed with four drawers (£487)
- Släkt bed frame with storage (£279)
- Kura reversible bed (£159)
- Trofast storage combination with boxes (£64)
- Lätt children's table with two chairs (£25)
- Godishus wardrobe (£99)
- Sniglar cot (£59)
- Busunge extendable bed (£189)
Looking for Ikea hacks?
Online influencers and content creators are a great source of Ikea hacks and DIY storage solutions, many using Kallax units, Billy bookcases and Trofast storage units.
Using Ikea Kallax units as the base for a cabin bed is a popular online hack, but only confident DIY enthusiasts should attempt this to make sure it's safe and sturdy. If in doubt, find a reliable carpenter using Which? Trusted Traders.
Other popular Ikea hacks include adding legs to the Kallax unit along with doors, trims and handles for a more bespoke look; utilising a 1x4 Kallax unit as a storage bench; and simple hacks such as using the Ikea Vivalla tablet stand to display books.
Planning a trip to Ikea?
Before you buy, find out how the brand scored in Which? surveys and reviews:
- Best furniture and homeware shops
- Best sofa shops
- Best cot bed brands
- Ikea fitted wardrobes review
- Popular Ikea mattresses
- Ikea kitchens review
- Ikea bathrooms review
For ways to turn a drab rented room into a stylish space without upsetting the landlord, see 9 bedroom ideas for rented homes