Finding a way to get kids to successfully share a bedroom can be a herculean task to begin with. But, when those siblings are opposite genders, it may seem impossible to find a way to make it work for everyone. If this is the case with your family, here are 4 pro tips for creating a great place for both kids.

Try a Gender Neutral Color Scheme. Having a gender neutral color palette doesn't mean sticking with boring shades of beige or gray. You can find many kid-friendly color schemes that can please everyone. Consider paint colors like red, turquoise, Kelly or lime green, salmon, orange, or even accents of yellow. If your kids can agree on a base color or shared palette, you can use accent colors and highlights to differentiate the spaces belonging to each gender if necessary.

Create Three Zones. In a shared bedroom, your best bet for keeping the peace is probably to design three separate spaces within the four walls: one space for each child and one shared space. You can decorate each kid's half of the sleeping area in a way that pleases them. Then, delineate a shared play or work space in a neutral style in another section of the room. This type of "zoning" can include separate colors for each sleeping area and a neutral tone for shared ones. 

Add Storage. Shared bedrooms often lack space—especially storage space. This can result in difficulties between the kids and too much stuff in the room itself. You can help alleviate these problems by adding storage wherever you can. You may be able to install under-bed storage or add a tall bookshelf or two. Consider adding built-in shelves between the studs in a wall and using a closet organizing system to add space to a shared closet.

Divide and Conquer. Keeping children's space separate is an important way to avoid unnecessary arguments, so find ways to create these safe, personal areas as you design. You could use a tall bookshelf (or two, back to back) to create a physical divider between two sides. Curtain panels are another way to create the feeling of privacy around each bed (or around a set of bunk beds). Or use two sets of bunk beds and remove the bottom bunks to give each child a play area of their own. Be sure to include two separate desks for older kids to have their own.

Embracing the shared nature of your kids' bedroom can help you find creative ways to help them enjoy it both on their own and as a pair. And that can only make a parent's heart -- and the home -- happy.