By the Kipli team, specialists in natural sleep since 2018.
Two stuffed animals on two pillows. Whispers that go on and on after the lights are out. A “Are you asleep?” whispered in the dark. Sharing a room with a brother or sister is sometimes a necessity, often an adventure, and for many children, memories that last a lifetime. But everyone still needs to find their place—and, above all, get a good night’s sleep. Here are our tips for setting up a bedroom for two children where each has their own sleeping area, their own sense of space, and their own peaceful nights.
A shared room: great prospects, a few challenges
Sleeping together in the same room has real benefits. Children learn to get along with each other, to respect each other’s space, and to build a bond through play, shared secrets, and shared memories. As Pourquoi Docteur points out, having a brother or sister in the room can even help some children fall asleep more easily.
But sharing a room also comes with its own little challenges: different bedtimes, chatter that keeps you from falling asleep, and arguments over personal belongings. The good news is that most of these issues can be resolved with some thoughtful planning and a few simple routines.
Defining Two Separate Areas in a Shared Room
The first thing a child who shares a room needs is a space of their own—a space they recognize, can make their own, and personalize. That’s why *Pourquoi Docteur* recommends clearly defining each child’s space with a curtain or a piece of furniture.
- A piece of furniture as a soft divider: a low shelf, a bookcase, or a toy chest placed between the two beds creates a separation without closing off the room.
- A curtain, a sheer, or a folding screen: whether hung from the ceiling or placed on the floor, it gives everyone their own private space to retreat to, and can be folded away as desired. There’s no need to put up a partition: a lightweight divider is often enough to create two separate areas.
- One color per child: a wall, a rug, or bedding in a different shade is enough to mark each child’s space while maintaining overall harmony.
- A designated storage spot for each child —a basket, a drawer, a wall shelf, or a section of a closet set aside just for them—can prevent a lot of arguments over toys.
- One small bedside lamp per child: that way, everyone can read or fall asleep at their own pace, without lighting up the whole room.
How should you arrange the beds in a bedroom for two children?
The arrangement of the beds depends on the size of the room and the children's ages. In a small room for two children, the main challenge is to save floor space. Three configurations are common:
Two beds side by side, or in an L-shape
This is the simplest solution when the room allows it. Each child has their own bed, at the right height, and you can slip a nightstand or a small piece of furniture between them to mark the separation. The L-shaped layout, with a bed along each wall, frees up more space in the center for playing.
Bunk beds: a space-saving solution
In a small bedroom, a bunk bed frees up valuable floor space. However, it does require some precautions: the top bunk is generally not recommended for children under 6 years old. A trundle bed—with a second bed that slides under the first—or a loft bed, which frees up the space underneath for a desk where children can do their homework, are other options for optimizing space.
The treehouse bed: Create a true sanctuary
With its little-house silhouette, the cabin bed naturally creates a separate space—almost a “home away from home”—within the bedroom. It’s a wonderful way to give every child the feeling of having a space all their own. Our JAVA convertible cabin bed, made of PEFC-certified solid beech and Bois de France wood, is manufactured in Normandy. It converts into a box spring as the child grows: simply remove the roof and flip the base over.
A real bed for everyone
In a shared bedroom, every child deserves their own comfortable bed that’s the right size for them. Sharing a bed often leads to restless nights. One bed per child means a more peaceful night’s sleep for everyone.
Our MALO solid wood children's bed, made of PEFC-certified solid beech with a natural, water-based, VOC-free varnish finish, is handcrafted in Normandy. Available in 90x190, it will serve your child well well beyond early childhood.
When it comes to bedding, a high-quality mattress for everyone is essential. And to help each child recognize their own bed, there’s nothing better than bedding they’ve chosen themselves. Our children’s bedding set, made from organic cotton percale certified to the OEKO-TEX® STANDARD 100, is machine washable up to 40 °C.
Customize without taking everything apart
A shared bedroom is still a shared space: the idea isn’t to split it in half, but to create a harmonious decor where each child recognizes their own space. Keep the base neutral and soft, and let each child personalize their side of the room: their bedding, pillows, a poster above their headboard, and their books. The result: a pleasant space to live in, where everyone feels at home. On the floor, a shared rug in the center brings the two spaces together.
Rituals That Help Everyone Get a Good Night's Sleep
A beautiful room isn't always enough: it's often in the evening that everything comes down to. A few simple habits can help make bedtime more peaceful.
- A short, predictable bedtime routine: Santé.fr, in partnership with the Morphée Network, reminds us thata bedtime routine should be short and that its purpose is to reassure the child as they transition from wakefulness to sleep. A story, a hug, and then the lights go out.
- Time to chat: Instead of forbidding conversations, give them a limited amount of time to talk before bed. That way, they’ll know that silence will follow.
- Adjust bedtime schedules as needed: when there’s a significant age gap, the younger child can go to bed first, and the older child can join them a little later, quietly.
- A dark bedroom with no screens: Santé.fr recommends keeping the room dark and reminds readers that screens have no place in the bedroom. A nightlight, if necessary, should be as dim as possible.
When There's a Significant Age Gap
Getting a baby to sleep with an older sibling takes a little patience. *Pourquoi Docteur* recommends waiting until the baby sleeps through the night before moving him or her into the same room as his or her older brother or sister, to ensure everyone gets a good night’s sleep. In the meantime, take the time to explain to the older child what’s going to change, and involve him or her in the rearrangement: this is his or her room, too, and it’s changing.
To learn more about the sleep environment, check out our golden rules for setting up a child's bedroom.
Key Takeaways
- A shared bedroom works when each child has their own space: a bed, storage, and a color.
- Low furniture, curtains, or loft beds can be used to define spaces without closing off the room.
- A real bed and real bedding for everyone are still the foundation of a restful night's sleep.
- A short bedtime routine, a limited amount of time for chatting, and a dark room without screens help everyone fall asleep.
- With a baby, it's best to wait until the baby sleeps through the night before sharing a room.
Two beds, two stuffed animals, and a bond that grows stronger every night. It doesn't take much to be happy.
Kipli, of course.
Written by the Kipli team, specialists in natural sleep since 2018. Sleep advice is based on information from Santé.fr (Réseau Morphée) and Pourquoi Docteur; product features are taken from our product descriptions.