Kids bedroom ideas that grow with them
Quick answer
The best kids' bedrooms grow with the child: choose a good bed and storage first, add personality with paint (a mural, a painted arch or a half-painted wall) that is easy to change, use warm, dimmable lighting for bedtime, and keep safety first with cordless blinds or cord cleats, secured furniture and no trailing cables [1][2].
A child's room has to be a bedroom, a playroom, a study and a gallery, and it has to change every few years. The trick is to spend on the things that last (bed, storage, light) and have fun with the things that are easy to change (paint, bedding, art).
Safety first
RoSPA warns that looped blind cords are a strangulation risk to young children; choose cordless blinds or fit cord cleats well out of reach [1]. Fix tall furniture to the wall, keep cables tidy, and position wall lights and sockets with safety in mind. Electrical work should be done to the Wiring Regulations by a registered electrician [3].
Lighting for sleep and play
- A warm, dimmable main light for bedtime.
- A reading light on the wall by the bed; see nursery wall lights.
- A soft night light: dim, warm light is less disruptive to sleep than bright or blue-rich light [2].
- Good task light on a desk for older children [5].
Paint ideas that are easy to change
| Idea | How |
|---|---|
| Half-painted wall | Colour below a line at child height, white above. |
| Painted arch | Frames the bed or a reading corner. |
| Hill or wave mural | Simple shapes with masking tape; no artistic skill needed. |
| Coloured ceiling | Sky blue or a soft pink over a white room. |
Storage that keeps up
- Low cubes and baskets for toddlers.
- Under-bed drawers.
- A wardrobe with adjustable rails.
- Wall shelves for books facing outwards.
Ideas by age
| Age | Focus | Ideas |
|---|---|---|
| 0-3 | Calm, safe, soft | Muted colours, cordless blinds, dim night light |
| 4-8 | Play and imagination | Murals, cabin bed, reading nook, art wall |
| 9-12 | Hobbies and homework | Desk, pinboard, more storage |
| Teens | Privacy and identity | Darker colours, a double bed, wall lights, their own choices |
Natural colours and materials are linked to calmer environments, which is worth remembering in rooms where children need to settle [4].
Three designers, one kids room, three very different results [6].
Video: Architectural Digest, “3 Interior Designers Transform The Same Kid's Bedroom | Space Savers”, via YouTube.
Good to know
Common questions
How do I design a kids bedroom that grows with them?
Invest in a good bed, storage and lighting, and use paint, bedding and art for personality that can change.
Are blind cords dangerous?
Yes, looped cords are a strangulation risk to young children. Use cordless blinds or secure cords out of reach.
What lighting is best in a child's bedroom?
A warm, dimmable main light, a wall reading light and a soft night light.
What colour is best for a kids bedroom?
Soft, natural colours are calming; brighter accents can be added with art and bedding.
Sources
References and further reading
Harvard style. Web pages were checked on the access date shown.
- RoSPA (n.d.) How do I prevent strangulation? Available at: www.rospa.com/resources/hubs/keeping-kids-safe/strangulation (Accessed: 14 November 2026).
- Sleep Foundation (n.d.) Light and sleep. Available at: www.sleepfoundation.org/bedroom-environment/light-and-sleep (Accessed: 14 November 2026).
- Institution of Engineering and Technology (2022) BS 7671:2018+A2:2022 Requirements for electrical installations (IET Wiring Regulations). 18th edn. London: IET.
- Kellert, S.R. (2018) Nature by design: the practice of biophilic design. New Haven: Yale University Press.
- Society of Light and Lighting (2018) SLL Lighting Handbook. London: CIBSE.
- Architectural Digest (n.d.) 3 interior designers transform the same kid's bedroom | Space Savers [Video]. YouTube. Available at: www.youtube.com/watch?v=f2HVUN0d4Jo (Accessed: 14 November 2026).
How to cite this article
van Locke, J. (2026) ‘Kids bedroom ideas that grow with them’, The Flare Journal. Flare Studio UK. Available at: https://flarestudio.uk/blogs/journal/kids-bedroom-ideas (Accessed: 15 November 2026).
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