Room to grow: Children’s bedroom ideas that can be easily adapted and updated

May 10, 2020

The smartest children’s bedroom ideas incorporate multitasking designs and clever colour schemes that can be easily adapted and updated. Interiors editor Nicole Gray shows you how.

Make the room multifunctional

Colour Paint is a quick and cost-effective way to define different areas in a room. Try tranquil shades such as pale blue and grey for sleep areas and brighter shades for spaces to play in.
Flooring Chalkboard floorboards and artificial-turf carpets are a fun way to break up a room, as are patterned rugs in different shapes and sizes, which can be changed around easily.
Corners Nooks in children’s bedrooms tend to get overlooked as awkward shapes, but they can make cosy reading areas when decorated with cushions or beanbags.
Lighting High-contrast, adjustable reading lamps indicate working areas whereas a string of fairy lights suggest sleep. Animal-shaped lights or neon slogans are perfect for play areas.

Put the fun in functional

Cupboard, £299, mustardmade.co.uk

Canvas print, £61, iamfy.co

Ice-cream wall shelf, £55, amara.com

Giraffe height chart, £89.99, wayfair.co.uk

Teepee, £115, bobbyrabbit.co.uk

Cushion, £25.95, birdkids.co.uk

Play tower bed, £1,185, cuckooland.co.uk

Play with colours and details

Consider the palette. Strong shades such as bright pink and yellows may be what they are after now, but that could change within the space of a week. Choose colours that can evolve with your child, such as pale shades and neutrals, and bring in bolder colours through cushions or artwork.
Storage can be fun as well as practical. The latest trend for children’s rooms is custom-built bed designs that lift the sleeping area off the floor, giving space for essentials beneath. Gltc.co.uk sells a selection of playhouse-style beds.
Make the most of textiles. Piles of cushions create lounging areas and are great for building forts and dens. Layering rugs looks stylish and also helps protect floors from spills.
Don’t overthink your design or worry about it looking perfect – it’s primarily a space for having fun. Consider a chalkboard wall for them to draw on, and opt for matt washable paints that can be wiped clean easily.

Stylish ways to zone

Climbing ladder £249, ajproducts.co.uk

Shelf, £65, johnlewis.com

Hanging planter, £9, sassandbelle.co.uk

Table, £106, en.smallable.com

Storage basket, £95, cuckooland.co.uk

Bookcase, £92.99, wayfair.co.uk

Kids chair, £124, en.smallable.com

Storage basket, £12.99, hm.com

4 ways to future-proof your child’s room

Buy a good-quality bed frame. It will be a staple for years, so consider designs that can be repainted and customised to suit changing tastes. A bed incorporating storage will help cut down on clutter.
Decorate with pegboards and chalkboards rather than spending money on artwork. Children’s tastes change rapidly so paintings or drawings can be swapped around with minimal effort.
Invest in a well-made chest of drawers. Outfits can be changed up to five times a day, so you will need a durable set of drawers that can withstand years of wear and tear. Loaf.com offers a great selection.
Use accessories to ring the changes. A new cushion cover, pattern bedlinen and throws are an easy way to update a room and can instantly transform a space without costing too much.