Jaanika, living in Tallinn, has three wonderful children – Mirtel (11), Mirko (5), and little Mirell (3). Mirtel and Mirko have been roommates for a while, but now their little sister ready to join the fun. The question is, how will her bed and favorite toys find their place in a space already full of her siblings’ treasures? Our interior designer Sälli Preitof knows the answer and turns the shared room into a cozy haven for three.
Before – great for two, but what about three?
The current solution is fine for two children, but we´ll make it work for three! When furnishing a room shared by children of different ages, the main challenge is to consider the different needs of all age groups. "Since the children are of different ages and genders, our main task here will be to find a solution that would consider everyone's preferences. The younger children need a place to store and play with toys, while the older sister needs a private study area," Sälli says.
After – one room for three little ones
Sälli´s ideas have led to a quiet, cozy room designed for peaceful activities such as studying, reading, drawing, and rest. The palette features soft, neutral tones – a timeless choice for a space where both girls and boys grow up together. A bunk bed and single bed leave more free floor space, which allowed adding a play table for the younger siblings. Smart multifunctional furniture solutions, such as bed with storage drawers underneath, provide both sleeping and storage space.
Set up a similar space
A great place to grow together
The interior designer extended the wall between the walk-in closet and the beds, creating cozy nooks where the headboards now hide behind. Slim wooden ribs add warmth and make the space feel lighter and more open. Mirtel´s desk sits beneath the window to catch every bit of daylight in this naturally rather dim room. Adjustable ceiling lamps brighten the corners, while each child has their own bedside light – perfect for reading or drawing in their own little nest.
Blue is the color of play
The blue-walled side of the room belongs to the youngest ones in the family. Here, an extendable bed waits next to a playful toy box on wheels. On the wall, a little dollhouse filled with tiny furniture invites new stories, while just next to it, a game table is ready for fun. All you need to do is take a seat on the stool with the zebra-patterned cover – and let the play begin!
A walk-in closet for everybody´s clothes
One of the most practical parts of the room is the walk-in closet, where all the siblings’ clothes are kept. Furniture and storage designed for the children’s height make it easy for them to reach their things and tidy up on their own – helping independence grow from an early age. With drawers labeled by pictures, sorting and putting things away turns into a game, making tidying up just another part of play. Things not needed every day are stored in plastic boxes on the higher shelves.
A comfy study corner
“I moved the older sister’s desk under the window,” says Sälli. “Since the room is rather dark, this way she gets more daylight while studying. A smart solution was combining a BESTÅ shelf with a LAGKAPTEN tabletop – it adds extra storage and saves floor space. The higher shelves are perfect for keeping small treasures out of her younger siblings’ reach. And a desk with a drawer is always a good idea – it helps keep toys and clutter neatly out of sight.”
Designer tips
- In a small space, place as many toys as possible in a closet or in a box under the bed.
- Make use of the space under the bed by adding boxes or crates with wheels to store toys, books, art supplies, etc.
- If several children share a room, create a corner for each that is just theirs.
What was done before?
In previous seasons, IKEA interior designers shared their tips on how to furnish odd spaces, adapt homes to changing life situations, and organise all belongings. We have organised kitchens, children’s rooms, and bedrooms, set up a home office in the living room, furnished a tiny one-room apartment, upgraded premises for family business, and so much more.Previous makeovers
You could use some help?
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