Doubling Up: Twin Bedrooms That Shine
Rooms with 2 beds offer many possibilities. See how designers use symmetry and contrast for guest and kids’ spaces
Twin rooms demand a practical layout as well as bedside lighting and storage that works for both occupants. After that, it’s up to you. Keep who’ll be using the room in mind and decide whether to dress the beds the same, mix and match, go for a particular style or bring in a theme.
Add a Unifying Feature
Plain is nice for cool simplicity, but sometimes a room needs a bit of oomph. Creating a feature wall behind the beds can add pizzaz and help unify the space.
This map mural is large enough to make a statement, but because of its toning blue shades, it doesn’t overwhelm the design.
If you don’t fancy a map, go for a feature wallpaper instead. A favorite design may be more affordable for a single wall in a small bedroom than it would be elsewhere in the house.
Shop for map murals
Plain is nice for cool simplicity, but sometimes a room needs a bit of oomph. Creating a feature wall behind the beds can add pizzaz and help unify the space.
This map mural is large enough to make a statement, but because of its toning blue shades, it doesn’t overwhelm the design.
If you don’t fancy a map, go for a feature wallpaper instead. A favorite design may be more affordable for a single wall in a small bedroom than it would be elsewhere in the house.
Shop for map murals
Suggest a Theme
There’s something about a guest room that takes particularly well to a hint of the maritime. The dark varnished floorboards and furniture here suggest cabins and life on the ocean thanks to the yacht on the windowsill.
Teamed with crisp white bedding and whitewashed walls, the result is charmingly nostalgic. Dark wood isn’t for everyone, though, so why not try a Hamptons version in breezy blue and white for a lighter alternative? After all, a guest room is the perfect place to try something a bit different.
See 12 variations on Hamptons style from around the globe
There’s something about a guest room that takes particularly well to a hint of the maritime. The dark varnished floorboards and furniture here suggest cabins and life on the ocean thanks to the yacht on the windowsill.
Teamed with crisp white bedding and whitewashed walls, the result is charmingly nostalgic. Dark wood isn’t for everyone, though, so why not try a Hamptons version in breezy blue and white for a lighter alternative? After all, a guest room is the perfect place to try something a bit different.
See 12 variations on Hamptons style from around the globe
Round a Corner
When a room is small or awkwardly shaped, you may have to go head to toe with the beds. Just remember to stay focused on the feel you want to achieve, rather than on managing a room’s limitations, and you’re likely to create an inviting space.
This cozy room has a side table and lamp in the corner at the ends of the beds, which have been dressed to match in pretty duck-egg blue, for a relaxing ambiance.
If you don’t have space for two tables, positioning the beds head to head allows both occupants to share the same lighting and bedside storage.
When a room is small or awkwardly shaped, you may have to go head to toe with the beds. Just remember to stay focused on the feel you want to achieve, rather than on managing a room’s limitations, and you’re likely to create an inviting space.
This cozy room has a side table and lamp in the corner at the ends of the beds, which have been dressed to match in pretty duck-egg blue, for a relaxing ambiance.
If you don’t have space for two tables, positioning the beds head to head allows both occupants to share the same lighting and bedside storage.
Build in Space for Play
Children’s twin rooms can be tricky because, unlike in guest rooms, you may want to incorporate play space as well as sleeping space.
The designer of this room included a mini mezzanine for reading and instruments. It’s a brilliant solution for adding function without losing floor space. The cabinets under the mezzanine provide headboards, built-in storage, housing for lighting and cubbyholes that function as bedside cabinets.
Many of us don’t have the room height for a solution like this, but an excellent alternative is a couple of raised beds that free up the floor underneath for play space, a desk or a sofa.
Find an interior designer on Houzz who can optimize your square footage
Children’s twin rooms can be tricky because, unlike in guest rooms, you may want to incorporate play space as well as sleeping space.
The designer of this room included a mini mezzanine for reading and instruments. It’s a brilliant solution for adding function without losing floor space. The cabinets under the mezzanine provide headboards, built-in storage, housing for lighting and cubbyholes that function as bedside cabinets.
Many of us don’t have the room height for a solution like this, but an excellent alternative is a couple of raised beds that free up the floor underneath for play space, a desk or a sofa.
Find an interior designer on Houzz who can optimize your square footage
Include a Little Difference
There is a third way between mix- and-match and staunchly symmetrical. In this twin room, the look is almost — but not quite — matching, which creates a fun and less formal vibe.
The beds have some pillows that match and some that don’t, and throws of the same design but in different colors. The bedside lights match, but one is a floor lamp and the other is designed for a desk. Artworks above the beds offer geometric designs but in different shapes.
The key is to avoid two very distinct looks that will clash horribly and instead merely tweak the same elements for each bed.
There is a third way between mix- and-match and staunchly symmetrical. In this twin room, the look is almost — but not quite — matching, which creates a fun and less formal vibe.
The beds have some pillows that match and some that don’t, and throws of the same design but in different colors. The bedside lights match, but one is a floor lamp and the other is designed for a desk. Artworks above the beds offer geometric designs but in different shapes.
The key is to avoid two very distinct looks that will clash horribly and instead merely tweak the same elements for each bed.
Play With Scale
Add a bit of flair by accentuating headboards and lighting. These tall upholstered panels define the sleeping space. A signature French-style mirrored chest of drawers provides glamour center stage and is topped by a pair of large table lamps.
Introducing oversize pieces into a twin room in this way is a workable alternative to bringing in bold pattern or bright color, which aren’t always conducive to smaller spaces.
Add a bit of flair by accentuating headboards and lighting. These tall upholstered panels define the sleeping space. A signature French-style mirrored chest of drawers provides glamour center stage and is topped by a pair of large table lamps.
Introducing oversize pieces into a twin room in this way is a workable alternative to bringing in bold pattern or bright color, which aren’t always conducive to smaller spaces.
Personalize for Individuality
Keeping furniture and bedding consistent in a twin room can allow children to bring in their own accessories and decorative pieces. This is a great compromise between giving kids a chance to personalize their spaces and having a room that you can stand to look at.
These white painted beds are dressed with monogrammed linen and personal toys. Ask each child to choose a favorite color and then accessorize accordingly from existing playthings.
Keeping furniture and bedding consistent in a twin room can allow children to bring in their own accessories and decorative pieces. This is a great compromise between giving kids a chance to personalize their spaces and having a room that you can stand to look at.
These white painted beds are dressed with monogrammed linen and personal toys. Ask each child to choose a favorite color and then accessorize accordingly from existing playthings.
Try a Different Between-the-Beds Solution
Bedside tables — whether a single shared one or two separate surfaces — have the advantage of combining tabletop space, storage and a perch for lighting in one single piece of furniture. But if you have space for a chest of drawers elsewhere in the room, why not consider something a little different between the beds?
This mini stepladder is pressed into service to provide open shelving that keeps the space looking light and bright. Reading lamps are clipped into position on both sides for a neat solution that requires neither dedicating tabletop space nor disturbing the wall finish.
Find clip-on reading lamps
Bedside tables — whether a single shared one or two separate surfaces — have the advantage of combining tabletop space, storage and a perch for lighting in one single piece of furniture. But if you have space for a chest of drawers elsewhere in the room, why not consider something a little different between the beds?
This mini stepladder is pressed into service to provide open shelving that keeps the space looking light and bright. Reading lamps are clipped into position on both sides for a neat solution that requires neither dedicating tabletop space nor disturbing the wall finish.
Find clip-on reading lamps
Share a Multifunctional Headboard
Consider a unit that can provide lighting and storage but that also can function as a bedside table and headboard.
In a compact room like this one, it can even be shared. This head-to-head arrangement is a practical solution that provides privacy while allowing for individuality too.
In a long, narrow room with end-to-end beds, you could position a shared headboard between them. Customize to suit your own style, perhaps with open shelving, rather than niches, and padded headboards attached at the base.
More
Read other stories about bedrooms
Browse bedroom photos and save favorites to your ideabook
Find what you need to outfit your bedroom
Consider a unit that can provide lighting and storage but that also can function as a bedside table and headboard.
In a compact room like this one, it can even be shared. This head-to-head arrangement is a practical solution that provides privacy while allowing for individuality too.
In a long, narrow room with end-to-end beds, you could position a shared headboard between them. Customize to suit your own style, perhaps with open shelving, rather than niches, and padded headboards attached at the base.
More
Read other stories about bedrooms
Browse bedroom photos and save favorites to your ideabook
Find what you need to outfit your bedroom
Dressing two beds to match creates a calm, relaxing feel particularly suitable for small rooms.
Stay pale with the decor and use white bedding as the base, so you can build up color and pattern with throws and pillows. Don’t overdo the pillows, though — you don’t want to drive your guests to distraction as they’re left finding somewhere to stash them every night when they go to bed.
Use the same accent colors on window treatments and accessories to highlight the symmetry.
Browse white bedding on Houzz