Designing a child’s bedroom

‘It becomes a safe container for imagination, independence, self-expression’

Author of the article:

Linda White  •  Postmedia Content Works

Published May 15, 2026  •  4 minute read

Start with function first when designing your child’s bedroom, says designer Jo Alcorn.  SUPPLIED

Whether you’re transforming a nursery into a big kid room or looking to update a tween’s outdated space, it’s important to remember that your child’s bedroom is much more than just a place to sleep.

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“It’s the first environment they get to call their own. It becomes a safe container for imagination, independence and self-expression,” says Cynthia Soda, founder and principal designer of Soda Pop Design Inc. in Stouffville.

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“When thoughtfully designed, it supports emotional regulation, creativity and a sense of identity. In a world that can feel busy and overstimulating, having a space that feels theirs gives children a sense of control and calm. It’s where they learn how environment impacts how they feel, which will stay with them well into adulthood.”

Keep the big elements like the bed and dresser timeless and adaptable, designer Jo Alcorn advises.  SUPPLIED

Start with function

So, where should you begin? “Start with function first, personality second,” says Jo Alcorn, founder and principal designer of Alcorn Home Design | Build. “Think about how the space needs to work day-to-day – sleeping, playing, reading, storage – then layer in your child’s interests through elements that are easy to update. A strong foundation – good layout, quality furniture, neutral base – makes everything else more flexible over time.”

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Soda suggests you consider how the child lives, not just how the room looks. “Do they love to read, draw or move? Do they need quiet or thrive with stimulation? What’s not working/could work better? From there, prioritize function,” she says. “A well-designed kid’s room quietly works very hard behind the scenes.”

At minimum, she believes a child’s bedroom should support:

• Rest, with comfortable, calm sleeping zones
• Play, with open or flexible floor space
• Creativity/learning, with desks or surfaces for activities’
• Appropriate storage that’s easily accessible and intuitive

When creating her son’s bedroom, designer Cynthia Soda installed a rock-climbing wall that he later used to display medals.  MIKE CHAJECKI

Maximize space

A child’s bedroom typically plays numerous roles so maximizing space is crucial. “The key is multi-functional design,” says Alcorn. “Look for pieces that serve more than one purpose: beds with built-in storage, desks that double as craft stations or seating that can tuck away. Use vertical space such as shelving and wall hooks to keep the floor open and create defined zones within the room so it feels organized rather than crowded.”

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Hope to ensure the room isn’t outdated within just a couple of years? Soda ran into that challenge when designing her daughter’s bedroom for her tenth birthday. “She chose bold wallcoverings that brought her joy and suited her at the time. As she got older, she yearned for something softer,” she says.

“I don’t think there’s ever a way to fully avoid your child wanting to put their own stamp on their space as they enter their teen years but changing the walls is not a big ask. If we think of the room in layers, consider foundational pieces – bed, larger furniture – to be the more timeless and neutral items. Flexible elements like art, textiles and accessories – or in my daughter’s room example, the bold wallcovering – can evolve with their interests”

Acorn agrees. “Keep the big elements timeless and adaptable: bed, dresser, lighting and wall colour,” she says. “Then let your child’s personality come through in things that are easy to swap out, like bedding, artwork and accessories. Think of the room as evolving in layers rather than being fully redesigned every few years.”

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Designer Jo Alcorn recommends maximizing space with pieces that serve more than one purpose.  SUPPLIED

Give your child a say

How can you child play a part in making the room their own? “Children can take on more than we expect,” Soda says. “With a bit of guidance, they can help choose colours, fabrics or artwork within a thoughtfully curated selection; organize their belongings and consider items to keep, donate or let go before transitioning back into the new space.

They can also create DIY elements or style small areas like their bedside tables/shelves. It teaches decision making, confidence and pride in their space. Most importantly, it reinforces that their voice matters.”

Alcorn agrees kids should play a part in making their room their own. “There are lots of ways to involve them in meaningful, hands-on ways: choosing a colour palette or theme, helping hang art or create a gallery wall, organizing their own storage systems and simple DIY projects like painting small furniture or decorating shelves,” she says. “It gives them ownership of the space and builds confidence in decision making and creativity.”

Designer Cynthia Soda recommends designing for longevity and letting a kid’s personality come through in ways that are easy to update.  MIKE CHAJECKI

The most successful kids’ rooms aren’t the most expensive or the most styled, Soda notes. “They’re the most attuned. When a space reflects how a child feels, thinks and supports them as they grow, it becomes a quiet source of support in their everyday life. A place they feel safe in.

While it may look like just a bedroom, it’s often where confidence is built, imagination is sparked and a sense of self begins to take shape.”

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