Tips for two

Determine how the room will function. “Consider the children’s ages, how long they will be using the room, and if the bedroom needs to serve as a playroom too,’’ says Roselle McConnell, owner of Newport, R.I.-based Infant Interiors. “If a lot of floor space is going to be needed as a play area, built-ins are good storage options.’’

Keep thematic decor to a minimum. “Kids change their minds so quickly,’’ says McConnell. “While your child might want a unicorn or hockey-inspired haven now, that won’t last. Focus on favorite colors over a permanent theme.’’ Rather than painting murals on the wall or buying a complete themed set of linens, use more temporary decor that can be easily and inexpensively swapped out including pillows, wall decals, and even drawer-pulls.

When designing a room shared by a boy and a girl, choose bright colors that are gender-neutral. “Green, yellow, and orange are great choices,’’ says Brielle Majeau of Brookline-based Bambini Design. “It’s a good idea to use three colors, one that works for both children, then a different color for each of them.’’

Personalize the space. “You want each child to feel that the room is unique,’’ says Majeau. “So it’s important each one has his or her own designated and distinct space in the room.’’ She recommends finding similar style but different color chairs for each child, putting her name on the wall above her bed, and hanging their artwork. Other creative ideas include personalized growth charts and customized wall art available at www.oopsydaisy.com.

If space doesn’t allow for two of everything, make sure furniture is big enough to share. “If children are school age, it’s best to have two desks,’’ says Majeau. “But if that’s not possible, use a big table space that both kids can sit at simultaneously. You can put a rolling file with drawers underneath. Often, when they’re both sitting at the same table, they end up helping each other.’’

Help kids keep themselves organized. “A toy box or bookshelf with labels helps kids learn about cleaning up after they’re done playing,’’ says McConnell. For younger children, Majeau recommends using dressers with different color drawers. “The color coding helps them remember what’s in each drawer; they tend to learn pretty quickly that T-shirts go in the red and socks are in the pink.’’