How to design a transitional bedroom for your kids 🤍

One of the biggest challenges we see with families is – how do you design a timeless bedroom when kids grow so quickly?

What’s loved by our little ones one day is out of the picture the next – from dress sense to toys, their friends and how they spend their time.

I have five nieces and two nephews all under ten, so I see this first hand when it comes to choosing birthday and Christmas presents!

Their bedrooms are no different. It can be super challenging getting this space right – by the time you buy the furniture and finish the room with the colours, toys and decorative items they love, they’ve moved on to something new. Sound familiar?!

I’ve devised some of my top tips on creating a space for your little ones that will not only be loved as they get older, but will look as stylish as the rest of your home 🖤 (because, challenge #2 – how to design their bedroom to look coherent with the rest of the home and not stick out like a sore thumb?)

Tip 1: Opt for muted colours

While pink, blue and green are popular colours, let’s face it – bright candy pink and royal blue probably have an expiry date.

There are so many lovely, muted versions of these colours that are a tad more grown up, but still give have child-friendly appeal:

Muted pinks:

Farrow & Ball Calamine:

This hue may look a lot more brown than pink, but the colour is a lovely, rich dusty pink that’s a bit grown up but still feminine. Paint on one wall and pair with warm wood and white and copper accessories.

Muted blues:

Farrow & Ball – Stiffkey Blue

This is a darker and more dramatic shade probably more suited to older children. Stiffkey blue looks fabulous on all walls if the bedroom is quite bright. Pair with white and pale grey furnishings and add pops of orange or red to lift the space..

Muted greens:

Farrow & Ball – Green Blue

Much more green than Oval Room Blue but with blue undertones, this delicate colour would look lovely on all walls. Keep furniture white and pair with navy and tan accessories.

Tip 2: Storage is key

Optimum storage anywhere in the home is a must, but it’s particularly handy in children’s bedrooms to store anything they grow out of (before you might pass them on to the charity shops or other children!) Even in a small bedroom, there are clever ways to incorporate hidden storage:

Choose wardrobes that extend up to the ceiling. Not only is this a great design trick to make any space feel bigger and ceilings higher, it means every inch of vertical space can be used for storage. For added function, incorporate a desk into your cabinetry.

The best way to get the most out of wardrobe space is to go bespoke – a joiner will be able to create a wardrobe that fits your exact needs and space available.

Tip 3: Get personal

Instead of covering all walls in a statement wallpaper that will dominate the space, apply wallpaper in unconventional places.

Here we’ve used a soft glitter wallpaper over the light switches in our Children’s bedroom project. You could also line the inside of wardrobe doors or drawers – adding lovely detail in the colours and styles they love, but in a subtle way.

Personalised details really do elevate a space and make it that bit more special.

Create clusters of family photos and group them together in matching frames, or frames that compliment the colour palette of the room. The photos can be updated, or added to, as they get older.

I hope these tips have been helpful! Let me know in the comments below. If you’d like some further help creating a much-loved space for your little one, pop your details in the form on my contact page and I’ll be in touch x