Do you feel like you need more space to accommodate your growing family? It’s natural to dream of having extra rooms to spread out over, especially if your children are quickly taking over your current home. But the cost of moving is rising due to higher house prices and tax bills, and there could be other benefits to staying put too – like your offspring’s development.
Research from the fitted wardrobe specialists Hammonds revealed that 46% of all adults who shared rooms with their siblings believe it was a positive experience, with 45% viewing it as neutral, and only 9% having negative feelings.
We’ve shared the various perks respondents reported below, as well as considering the potential negatives of an overcrowded home, and offering tips on how to help kids share rooms harmoniously.
Benefits of sharing a bedroom as a child
You might be worried your kids will go to war if they’re stuck sharing a room, especially as they grow older. But the Hammonds survey found that sharing helps young people:
- Learn to respect boundaries
- Navigate shared spaces as an adult – such as university halls and offices
- Build stronger relationships with family members
- Develop emotional intelligence
- Improve their ability to share belongings
- Develop confidence
- Avoid or resolve conflicts
And of course, you’ll retain extra space in your home!
When does a house become too small?
There are potential downsides to sharing, however, and while the majority of us recall positive experiences, some also report lacking privacy, losing sleep and feeling anxious.
Sharing a bedroom with one sibling is different to growing up in an overcrowded house too. The charity Shelter advises that a home should have separate bedrooms for children over 10 years old of different genders, with no more than two children designated to single bedrooms.
Their experts also recommend that children don’t have to share with parents, warning that living in an overcrowded house can have negative impacts on a child’s relationships, education and mental wellbeing.
So how can you find a healthy balance and avoid upsizing unnecessarily?
Things to consider when kids share bedrooms
Firstly, if you have more than two children of different ages, genders and personality types, it makes sense to pair the two who are most closely aligned. This is especially important if one child isn’t yet sleeping through the night, for example, or if an older child is beginning to experience puberty and needs privacy.
Another tip is to create personal spaces within the room to allow some sense of privacy and individualism. Bunk beds naturally allow a visual separation, as does a large bookcase or storage box in the middle of the room.
Finally, actively encourage conflict resolution and be patient. You should expect a bumpy transition period, but your kids could soon grow to like sharing with a companion.
Could sharing a bedroom help you put off moving home?
