How to Decorate a Kids' Unisex Bedroom | Sleep Hub
Gemma HenryPerhaps you’ve got two siblings of differing genders sharing a room or maybe you’re trying to steer clear of gender stereotypes altogether. You might even be preparing a spare room for your blended family, where different children will spend time.
Whatever your reason for avoiding the typical baby blues and pinks that have become all too common for little boys and girls, there are plenty of colours and themes for you to choose from which are gender neutral.
In this article we explore some unisex décor ideas for gender neutral kids’ rooms. Read on for some inspiration on creating the coolest space for your children to hang out in.
Children’s unisex bedroom ideas and themes
If you’re struggling to think of some themes for your child’s bedroom, we’re here to help. With all of these suggestions, it’s important to make sure that your kids feel that they’re included in the design process – after all, they’re the ones who have to sleep there!
Here are some of our top children’s bedroom ideas to get you started:
Zoo animal bedroom themes
Zoo animals, or any animals for that fact, work perfectly for both girls and boys keen to channel their inner David Attenborough. They’re fun and are also visually interesting, with scope for lots of bright colours. You can also use zoo animals in education for younger children, teaching them more about the natural world.
Add in animal prints, animal themed accessories and the odd plant or two to really help the space come to life.
Tropical prints have been a big trend in interiors for the last couple of years and to achieve this look, choose jungle-themed or safari animals. Because this trend is so popular, it should be easy to find the accessories and wallpaper you need to turn your child’s bedroom into a den fit for an intrepid explorer!
If tropical isn’t for your child and they prefer a cooler style then why not try a mountain landscape instead with animals such as foxes, bears and owls.
Travel-inspired bedroom themes
Another great theme for your little explorer! If you have an adventurer in training, then a travel-themed bedroom is a great option. Earthy colours, plenty of wood, baskets and ropes give bedrooms a real backpacker vibe.
If you love travelling yourself, you could use inspiration from some of the countries that you’ve visited and loved. You could even decorate the walls with maps of places that are special to you and your family.
A couple of second-hand suitcases will make great, authentic decoration. You should be able to pick some vintage luggage at your local charity shop or try Facebook Marketplace. Use souvenirs or postcards that you’ve picked up from around the world to accessorise the space.
Neutral tone bedroom themes
Neutral tones are so in right now – just ask Pinterest! If you love your beiges, greys and whites then why not continue this theme into your kids’ rooms? You can’t really go wrong with these types of colours, and it will give a tasteful, sophisticated look to any child’s room.
Neutral tones will also last well as the years go by – they work well from nurseries all the way up to teenage bedrooms.
Vintage style bedrooms
If you have children of different ages sharing a room, it can be difficult to decide on a style that suits all of them. You don’t want to go too babyish with the décor while at the same time, some options may seem too grown up for the younger sibling.
A vintage style will help to unite the two different ages while keeping the space ageless and gender neutral.
Try Scandi-style with white wooden floorboards and a repeat floral wallpaper which is stylish but not “girly”. You could also use panelling for a more sophisticated look that is still suitable for any age.
Or if you prefer a bold, retro look, choose teak-coloured furniture mixed with bright colours for a great 1950s vibe. Focus on the furniture and keep the rest of the room simple.
Boho-chic style bedrooms
Boho is a huge trend right now, influencing everything from interiors to fashion. It has a laidback feel while also coming across as modern and fresh. The best thing about boho is it’s so eclectic so you can choose pieces that you like without needing to make sure everything matches.
The key is to use elements of pattern, rich textures and pops of colour, all while keeping the background modern and minimal.
Bright bedroom colours
The typical shades for children’s rooms are blues and pinks. But we are probably agreed that that’s very old hat now, so don’t feel like you need to stick to those shades for your child’s bedroom. Why not try some bright colours instead?
Orange is a great choice and can really lift and liven up a room. It’s great for energetic little ones. Whereas pastel mint, by contrast, will bring a sense of calm to a space. Both colours work well for a first child’s bedroom while lasting a few years and they’ll even work if a little brother or sister comes to join them!
If you’re more of a maximalist, try using a mix of rainbow colours in one room. Paint the walls and add bold blankets and cushions to accessorise. Dark colours can also work well, giving an edgier feel to the room.
If you want to add some colourful character to the room, why not add a wall decal such as a rainbow picture, animal drawings or the alphabet, which might help children with their learning as well as looking great! The best thing about wall decals is that you can just peel them off once your child outgrows them or gets bored of them.
How to start: creating a unisex bedroom
Now that you’re closer to deciding on a theme for your child’s unisex bedroom, here are some top tips to bear in mind alongside the colours and décor.
1. Plan for the long term
Mi Zone Mid Sleeper Bed Frame
If you’re decorating a bedroom for your little one, you’re going to be looking for a new bed. Whether this is their first “big” bed, or their next step, choose a bed which can adapt as they grow so that you don’t need to replace it in a couple of years as they grow.
Go for a multipurpose sleeper bed frame which has room for storage, a desk or even a second bed below. A second bed is perfect if your children share a room or they love to have their friends round for sleepovers.
A sleeper bed will make the most of the available floor space and you’ll be grateful for the practical extras further down the line. There’s even space underneath to play or study.
To be sure that your furniture will stand the test of time, opt for well-made, high-quality pieces. Solid wood or sturdy metal styles are sensible choices that can withstand whatever life (and your little ones) throws at them.
2. Make the space work for everyone
If you’re decorating a unisex bedroom that will eventually be shared by little ones, or one that already is, you might be able to keep everyone happy by splitting the room into different areas for each child. Pop the beds on opposite sides of the room and make sure they’ve both got their own floor space for playing too.
You can even decorate the two areas differently using wall stickers and accessories. Why not use some pictures or drawings created by your own artists-in-the-making?
Using something like a bookcase to divide the room in half could work well and give you additional storage.
If you have two (or even more!) siblings sharing the same room then bunk beds could be an alternative to splitting the space. Bunk beds save on floor space and they’re a bit of a novelty which makes bedtime more fun.
Just make sure you decide who’s getting the top bunk well ahead of their arrival, to avoid any arguments!
3. Invest in children’s bedroom storage
Storage is super important in a child’s bedroom as their clothes, toys and books all need somewhere to live. For a gender neutral room, bedroom furniture is actually one of the easiest things to get right.
Bedroom furniture comes in a range of materials and finishes from glossy white for a modern look to more rustic wooden pieces, wardrobes, chests of drawers and bedside tables aren’t gender specific. You can’t really go wrong!
If floorspace is at a premium in your child’s room, then you might want to choose a bed which has additional storage underneath. This multi-purpose piece of furniture means that you can hide away toys and clothes and keep their bedrooms tidy – well, tidy-ish anyway!
A divan bed offers subtle storage with drawers inside the bed base to store things. Alternatively, ottoman beds have a base which lifts up to give you storage underneath the mattress. The storage space covers the entire area within the bed base and so there’s enough room for everything that needs to be tidied away.
For additional storage, try adding open shelving, toy bins and storage hooks.
4. Go minimal
One of the kid’s bedroom ideas which works well is minimalism. Children’s tastes change regularly. Having a minimal amount of colour and accessories will mean less chance of your children going off them!
Minimalism works really well in a gender-neutral kid’s room, especially if two children are sharing a room. Emphasise the clean lines of the furniture and natural textures like wood. Add an oversized plant and a rug to really make a statement without compromising on the simplistic nature of the room.
Another bonus: keeping decoration and accessories to a minimum can help to make the room seem larger and it will also help to reduce clutter.
READ MORE: If you’re inspired to get planning your child’s new bedroom, take a look at our ‘top ten questions to consider when buying a child’s bed’ article for more information about getting the perfect bed for your little one.
Unisex bedroom FAQs
What are some key considerations when decorating a unisex bedroom for kids?
When designing a unisex bedroom, neutral colour palettes are super important. But don't forget about using versatile furniture and choosing an inclusive theme. Whatever aspect of a unisex bedroom you're thinking about, prioritise functionality, storage, and creating a space that showcases both personalities in shared spaces.
What colours are best for a unisex bedroom?
When creating a unisex bedroom, neutral colours such as white, beige, grey, or pastel shades of more lively colours tend to be a great choice. And if you want to turn up the fun factor, why not add some bold accent colours using unisex colours like yellow, green, or teal? That way you'll be able to come up with a fun design that doesn't lean towards any gender-specific tones.
How can I create a cohesive look for a shared unisex bedroom?
A cohesive bedroom is all about bringing different elements of design together in a way that makes sense. So try to choose a theme or colour scheme that both of the kids enjoy. Matching bedding sets, coordinated décor, and personal touches can create a balanced and harmonious bedroom that should appeal to all parties.
What themes work best for a unisex bedroom?
Bedroom themes to consider in a unisex space include nature, animals, and space. Each of these design themes are generally adored by all children and give you access to a wide range of options that can be tailored to suit different interests.
How do I manage storage in a shared unisex bedroom?
With multifunctional furniture pieces such as storage bed frames with drawers underneath, shelves, and storage boxes to help you separates their belongings, you'll be able to come up with a storage system that works for your children. Remember to label storage boxes to avoid confusion and keep each of your children’s things organised and easy to access.
How can I get both kids' personalities in the bedroom décor?
Why getting two personalities into one room may seem a tricky task, there are some easy ways to achieve your goal! Allow each of the kids to choose their own bedding, wall art, or posters. You could also give them each a specific corner of the bedroom to personalise as their very own if you prefer. But whatever you do, get them involved in the process as this should help to give them a sense of ownership and individuality within the shared space.
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Gemma Henry - Content Lead
Gemma finds sleep fascinating and describes the discovery aspect of her role as eye-opening. Her keen eye for detail and dedication to thorough research ensures that Bensons customers get the informative sleep-based advice they're looking for.