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Clever Tricks for Maximising Space in Kids' Rooms
Even the smallest kid's room can deliver big style for its junior resident. It just takes a little imagination...
Jennifer Louise Ebert
16 May 2014
Houzz contributor and UK-based freelance journalist with more than 5 years experience of writing for interiors and lifestyle publications.
Houzz contributor and UK-based freelance journalist with more than 5 years experience... More
The smallest members of the family are often given the smallest rooms in the house, but while your child may be little in stature, he or she is probably big on stuff! Children typically have heaps of kit to stash away and need their room to perform a host of tasks, too, from a place to play or do homework in, to a location for sleepovers! In addition, as kids’ rooms are the only place in the house which our tots can call their own, it is important that their personality is reflected in the scheme. There’s no question: kids’ rooms need to work hard, and small rooms must work hardest of all. But it can be done. These 10 ideas will get you started…
Max-up the storage
Never underestimate how much storage children need, now and in the future. Even if the room is small, it’s important to build in as much storage as possible and think ahead, too. Children tend to accumulate stuff as they get older, so pick pieces that are roomier than your child might currently require.
Browse smart storage solutions for your kids' rooms
Never underestimate how much storage children need, now and in the future. Even if the room is small, it’s important to build in as much storage as possible and think ahead, too. Children tend to accumulate stuff as they get older, so pick pieces that are roomier than your child might currently require.
Browse smart storage solutions for your kids' rooms
Exploit nooks in an attic
Make the most of the space beneath the eaves in an attic bedroom. A tiny nook may still be big enough for a desk, while a long, low section of eave space can be transformed into a cosy sleeping cabin. This nook has been painted in a different colour to the rest of the room and curtained off, so homework can be hidden when it’s time for sleep.
Make the most of the space beneath the eaves in an attic bedroom. A tiny nook may still be big enough for a desk, while a long, low section of eave space can be transformed into a cosy sleeping cabin. This nook has been painted in a different colour to the rest of the room and curtained off, so homework can be hidden when it’s time for sleep.
Build in furniture
It’s not always the least expensive option, but built-in furniture is a smart idea in a small-space room. It will make use of the most awkward corner or under-used nook and has a reassuring sturdiness that is perfect for a child’s room, which can be the venue for rough and tumble! You can also involve you child in the design of the furniture or the materials used, so that they feel extra proud of the results.
It’s not always the least expensive option, but built-in furniture is a smart idea in a small-space room. It will make use of the most awkward corner or under-used nook and has a reassuring sturdiness that is perfect for a child’s room, which can be the venue for rough and tumble! You can also involve you child in the design of the furniture or the materials used, so that they feel extra proud of the results.
Build a platform
In a small room, building a sleeping platform is a great idea. It zones the (limited) space and the raised section can incorporate lots of storage, too. Design a mix of pull-out drawers of all shapes and sizes and perhaps build in a nifty desk, too.
In a small room, building a sleeping platform is a great idea. It zones the (limited) space and the raised section can incorporate lots of storage, too. Design a mix of pull-out drawers of all shapes and sizes and perhaps build in a nifty desk, too.
Use space under a window
When space is tight, you may have no choice but to position a bed under a window, but this doesn’t have to be a problem. Just make sure the window is locked for safety, and fit blackout blinds to prevent early morning sun disturbing your sleeping tot.
When space is tight, you may have no choice but to position a bed under a window, but this doesn’t have to be a problem. Just make sure the window is locked for safety, and fit blackout blinds to prevent early morning sun disturbing your sleeping tot.
Incorporate a mezzanine
When much of the floor space is taken up by beds in a shared bedroom, consider building a mezzanine area above the beds to provide a cosy hang-out area, tucked away from prying parents. Obviously, your ceilings have to be high enough to accomodate this kind of structure, but if they are, a simple ladder is all that’s needed to reach the play platform.
Be inspired by marvellous mezzanines
When much of the floor space is taken up by beds in a shared bedroom, consider building a mezzanine area above the beds to provide a cosy hang-out area, tucked away from prying parents. Obviously, your ceilings have to be high enough to accomodate this kind of structure, but if they are, a simple ladder is all that’s needed to reach the play platform.
Be inspired by marvellous mezzanines
Remember to de-clutter
Make small spaces look bigger by keeping them clutter free. Here, built-in cupboards, shelves and a desk area make great use of space, providing plenty of storage so that the floor is kept clear and the feel is light and open.
Make small spaces look bigger by keeping them clutter free. Here, built-in cupboards, shelves and a desk area make great use of space, providing plenty of storage so that the floor is kept clear and the feel is light and open.
Make decoration work
Hanging lots of pictures can make a wall look cluttered and the room feel smaller, so choose simple wall decorations for diminutive rooms. Here, horizontal lines increase the feeling of depth in this room, while laser-cut wooden panel in front of a light makes a multi-tasking feature: both night light and wall art.
Hanging lots of pictures can make a wall look cluttered and the room feel smaller, so choose simple wall decorations for diminutive rooms. Here, horizontal lines increase the feeling of depth in this room, while laser-cut wooden panel in front of a light makes a multi-tasking feature: both night light and wall art.
Bag a bunk
Bunk beds are a great way to free up space in a small kids’ bedroom, and many modern versions come with storage built-in below, further boosting their usefulness.
Bunk beds are a great way to free up space in a small kids’ bedroom, and many modern versions come with storage built-in below, further boosting their usefulness.
Scale down
Choose child-size furniture for a short-on-space kid’s room. A small desk and chairs provide a place for drawing or making, and will tuck neatly into a corner. These mini versions of Arne Jacobsen’s Series 7 chair are design classics, or go for something vintage and search retro stores for old school desks and chairs.
Do you have a child at home? How do you maximise the space in their room? Share your tips in the Comments below.
Choose child-size furniture for a short-on-space kid’s room. A small desk and chairs provide a place for drawing or making, and will tuck neatly into a corner. These mini versions of Arne Jacobsen’s Series 7 chair are design classics, or go for something vintage and search retro stores for old school desks and chairs.
Do you have a child at home? How do you maximise the space in their room? Share your tips in the Comments below.
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