Children’s bedrooms: How to make the best use of a small space

Small room? No problem! It’s amazing how much you can pack into a limited space with some clever planning and the right furniture and storage solutions…

Children’s bedrooms are busy places. As well as being somewhere to sleep, they’re also somewhere to play, learn and imagine. Whether it’s a secret den, a space station or a princess’s castle, there really are no limits! The one thing a child’s bedroom is often short on, though, is space. There never seems to be quite room enough for all those toys, books, clothes and teddies, and in a small bedroom this can pose even more of a challenge…

So here are four steps to make the most of the room you have, to create a fun, inspirational – and restful – space for your children.

1) Map out the space

Firstly, it’s important to think about the shape and layout of the room, so you can decide which pieces of furniture will best fit where. Remember to take into account the position of the doors, windows and radiators, as well as ensuring that there’s safe and easy access for any bed ladders.

It’s a good idea to physically measure the space and draw up a room plan, so you can really make sure every inch counts!

If the room is an odd shape, you can try making use of alcoves or awkward spaces by adding in some shelves for books, or a toy storage basket or two.

For a room that’s short on floor space but has high ceilings, this can offer some valuable extra capacity for wall shelves or toy nets.

2) Go for simple decor, and accessorize!

Keeping the decor nice and simple and choosing matching children’s furniture can help to make a smaller room feel less busy and more harmonious. Using a lighter colour scheme will create a feeling of space and airiness.

You can create a fun focal point by painting or wallpapering a single wall, and then using accents of the same colour in the light shades, cushions, rugs and curtains.

Adding accessories such as chalkboards and wallstickers on the walls can offer a useful extra place for learning or fun – without taking up precious floor space!

Meanwhile, for rooms with higher ceilings, using a set of string lights or some colourful bunting will help to draw the eye upwards, giving an impression of spaciousness.

Where space is at a premium, a teepee or play tent can provide a useful designated place for playing, reading or having fun with friends, and it’s easy to put up and take down at the end of the day – giving you that extra flexibility.

From message boards, to bean bags and bedside lighting, the clever use of accessories can help make your children’s room a happy and peaceful space, whatever its size.

You can view our range of fun and funky children’s bedroom accessories here.

3) Opt for smart storage solutions

If you want to make the most of a small space, having the right storage is essential. There’s nothing that makes a diminutive room feel even smaller than overfull cupboards, and clutter all over the floor!

It’s important to think about what you most need from your storage, so you can create a calm and organised space that works for everyone.

If you’re looking for somewhere toys can be easily accessed, and just as easily stashed away at the end of the day, a toy chest or storage basket can provide that all-important extra space, while also adding a touch of fun and a splash of colour.

Underbed storage drawers can also be a great way of utilising that extra bit of unused space in an organised and accessible way (while having the added benefit of making the monsters under the bed homeless). Our storage drawers come in a choice of two sizes, and are on wheels for easy access.

If your little ones seem to have a better shoe collection than you ever did, a shoe rack could be the answer – our Willow shoe rack comes in a choice of five different handle colours, and you can complete the look with a range of matching Willow bedroom furniture. (It also comes complete with an anti-tipping kit, for when the climbing mood takes them. It happens.)

From bright and funky, to stylish and functional, you can see our full range of children’s storage units here.

4) Choose the right bed

Choosing the right bed can make all the difference in a smaller room. These days, children’s beds can offer a variety of other useful features, such as additional storage space for housing toys, books or clothes, or a spare bed for sleepovers, while some also double up as a cool play den or a useful study area.

To make best use of the available space, you need a multi-functional bed that’s designed with your children’s needs in mind.

Cabin beds and captain’s beds

Cabin beds are a great space-saving option for small bedrooms, offering a sturdy single bed with extra built-in storage options, without the need for a ladder. Our Butterworth bed even has a handy storage headboard for those important treasures!

If you need to find an extra space for sleepovers, our captain’s beds have built-in storage drawers – with the added bonus of a pull-out trundle bed for those overnight guests, which simply tucks away again when you don’t need it.

You can see some more sleepover solutions here.

Mid and high sleepers

For children aged 4 and over, mid sleeper beds are higher than a cabin bed or a captain’s bed and have an open space underneath, which offers you plenty of options including extra shelves or cupboards, a pull-out desk for doing homework – or just a great area to play or chill out with friends.

Meanwhile, for children aged 6 and over, a high sleeper bed offers you maximum flexibility. High sleepers have a large open space underneath, where you can put a desk, a futon, a chest of drawers or even a wardrobe – freeing up valuable space elsewhere. Check out the Neutron high sleeper, which also comes with storage stairs!

For more info on the different types of children’s beds, see our guide What is the difference between a cabin bed, a mid sleeper and a high sleeper?
Small bedrooms can be a challenge when it comes to space, but with a bit of planning, some clever accessorising, and the right storage solutions, you’ll find that small really is beautiful.

At The Children’s Furniture Company, we believe in gorgeous furniture that’s practical, built to last and fun to live with. From the space-saving Vanilla wardrobe with its hanging area, shelves and drawers, to the Jonah desk complete with study hutch, we make sure there’s plenty of room for the essentials and the fun stuff.