When Do Brothers & Sisters Need Separate Bedrooms

Today we thought we should talk about something that crops up in a lot of families – when should children stop sharing a bedroom, especially if they’re brother and sister? 

It’s one of those questions that doesn’t have a simple yes-or-no answer. It’s very individual to each family and everyone’s situation is a little different. But there are a few things that might be worth thinking about if you're currently juggling bunk beds and bedtime squabbles. 

What’s the general rule? 

There’s no strict laws in the UK that dictate siblings have to have separate rooms and by a set timeframe. However, it is important to note that when it comes to siblings of the opposite sex, things start to get a bit more sensitive once they’re around the age of 10 years old. 

Many people choose to use this age as a guide. The idea is that it’s probably a good time to start providing the much-needed privacy and comfort that children of that age are beginning to require. It’s not about suggesting anything unusual might occur – it’s just about allowing kids to have a bit more personal space as they start growing up and becoming more aware of their bodies. 

But what if you haven’t got the space? 

We totally understand, not everyone out there has got a spare room lying around. Many of us live in smaller houses or flats to make things more affordable. As a result, separate bedrooms might just not be possible right away. 

The key thing is making the shared space feel as fair and respectful as possible, to mimic the sense of each child having their own room. Things like: 

• Allocating different sides of the room so each can feel free to do as they please with their space, within reason of course. 
• Using curtains, dividers or different bedding can be a really handy trick to provide that additional bit of privacy and individuality  
• Implementing boundaries around getting dressed, or each child having some alone time could be a helpful idea 
• Kids can absolutely make sharing a room work, in fact many actually enjoy it – but they’ll likely need a bit of help from you to do it smoothly. 

Signs it might be time to separate 

If you’re wondering what signs that your son and daughter are starting to need their own personal space to watch out for, here are some of the main ones: 

• Either (or both) children seeming uncomfortable at bedtime or with changing clothes around each other 
• Arguments getting gradually worse or more frequent, as well as potentially one child feeling left out 
• Hormones start kicking in and personal space becoming a significantly bigger deal 

It’s important to keep an eye out for these kinds of signs as your children might not feel they want to outright request their own room. They could still be unsure themselves, in fact. But, as a general rule, noticing subtle changes such as those listed above may indicate that it’s time to start thinking about switching up rooms or sectioning one room off as best you can. Even if you can’t physically move them into separate rooms straight away, you can start planning and brainstorming. 

Design ideas for a shared children’s room 

At Bensons, we have a great range of kid’s furniture that could be utilised for a variety of ages, genders and sleeping arrangements. We’ll highlight some key pieces that could be really well utilised for visually defining each child’s zone within a shared room. Keep an eye out for our future blog post highlighting even more of our fantastic kid’s bedroom products. 

Sharing a room and feeling like each person has their own space can be tough. That’s where our mid and high sleeper style beds come in. Pieces like the Rory Highsleeper Desk Bed Frame or the Lucille High Sleeper Desk Bed Frame can really offer so much for a shared bedroom that has limited floor space. Built-in desk units and storage space can provide a place for each child to express themselves and engage in the activities they choose whether it be drawing, gaming or jigsaw puzzles.  

If storage is more of a priority and something you find yourself struggling with, then one of our wonderful mid sleeper beds might be just the thing you’re after. The Emelia Midsleeper Bed Frame is a lovely option with neutral colours to suit any space and style. While something like our Saturn Wooden Midsleeper Set can offer plenty of storage and a slightly more refined and grown up appearance if that’s what your little one is going for.  

Each child has their own individual personality and passions and we offer several really unique pieces that might just make their heart soar. Choices like the Imagination Campervan Bed Frame or the Wild Bunk Bed offer the ability for you to choose something that your child will feel like is really their own, even in a shared bedroom. 

When do brothers and sisters need separate bedrooms: final thoughts 

At the end of the day, you know your kids better than anyone. Some siblings really enjoy sharing a room, while others are begging for their own space. It can be a difficult situation to navigate but we hope our blog today has helped you a little, whether it be with design inspiration or just realising you’re not a bad parent if your children still share a room. If you’re stuck between practicality and privacy, don’t beat yourself up. Keep the conversation going, listen to your kids, and do what works for your family. That’s what's important.