4 ways to reimagine your kids' bedroom

In a screen-addicted world, creating a children’s room that fires the imagination is a design goal that pays dividends.

As The Block teams prepare to reveal their kid-friendly room designs, we asked leading interior architects and designers about how to create a haven for your two-month-old, tween or teen.

Tunnels and hidden rooms

Maybe it’s the Alice in Wonderland vibe, but little kids and not-so-little kids-at-heart can’t wait to venture into the playroom tunnel created by Marker Architecture.

“It’s really for children up to about seven, but we do get some small adults in there too!” director Ben Nemeny says.

“The key feature is that the tunnel connects to an enclosed courtyard so children can go out and come back in without having to ask permission, because it’s safe.”

It might not quite be a case of down the rabbit hole, but it’s definitely a bit of design magic.

Opt for easy swaps: wallpaper and rugs

“Mural wallpaper in a children’s bedroom creates a whimsical environment that encourages imagination and conversation,” says architect Rob Mills, who selected a fun print from Paris for his daughter’s bedroom makeover.

Shona McElroy, principal of Smac Studio Interior Architecture says, “With little accidents, a patterned rug can be fun and practical. But I would avoid anything that is overtly childish – Barbie rugs or similar – and perhaps go toward a fun leopard print, sky print or floral print.”

Go big on built-ins

From study nooks and reading zones, to storage solutions and bunk beds set ups, custom joinery is a game-changer in any room because it can maximise space and allow for greater functionality.

For a family with seven grandchildren and counting, Nemeny created custom-built bunk beds that are equal parts clever and cosy.

“Central stairs lead up to two, single top bunks; there are two doubles below and then, below that, two double pull-out trundles. Each of the beds also had a hidden pull-up storage area and a light for reading.”

Cue sleepovers with ghost stories or tall tales that the kids are still going to talk about for years.

Try different tones for teens

Designing teen rooms does tend to be challenging as they often have firmly held opinions and are unlikely to heed advice, McElroy says, adding, “We have gotten over the line with a plain bed shape, jazzed up with bedding, cushion, fun armchairs and rugs.”

If you want to add colour and texture in a neutral space, you can also achieve this with bed linen, says Mills, who favours high-quality fabrics – even for children – if the budget stretches that far. “It’s important to feel cocooned and calm in a bedroom, no matter what your age.”

Keep any sort of window treatment in the more grown-up realm – “a block colour perhaps, in a tonal or contrast theme to the walls”, McElroy says.

To create a gender-neutral bedroom, stay away from overt pinks and blues dominating the space. “Yellows have gorgeous, warm, sophisticated tones, greens have olives and sages that are beautiful, and you can lean into beiges.’

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