Bedroom Decorating for a Teenager

Get the Teen Involved

A teenager usually feels that their room is the one private place they have in the house. They may, or may not, be interested in redecorating. If they are interested, get them involved early on in the selection of the colors, theme, furniture, layout and all other aspects of the project. Resist the temptation to give them jobs like sorting or closet cleaning. Instead, have them make major contributions like painting walls, selecting color schemes and fabrics or selecting wall art.

Be sure to resist the urge to surprise them with a new room when they come back from a week at Aunt Edna's. It might not be the happy occasion that you would have hoped for!

Their Room is Their Universe

A teen's room does not have to be an extension of your decorating style. Bedroom decorating for a teenager can use different colors and styles. In fact, you might get more cooperation from your teen if you let them set their own design direction, reflecting the environment in which they want to live.

Mirror Their Preferences

Select a theme that is consistent with what the teen is interested in and already owns. Sports, music, outdoors, photography, dance, technology are all popular themes for teen rooms.

You can personalize the room by using incorporating their interests into the new room design:

• Electronic components can be displayed in wall boxes.
• Favorite photographs can be enlarged and photo mounted as wall décor.
• Sports items, CDs and DVDs can be displayed on open shelving.

The best way to find a color pallet for the new décor is ask the teen for color preferences. A good place for the two of you to start is to look in the teen's closet. If your teen only wears black, he or she is probably not going to be interested in a soft pastel décor.

Design with a Purpose

Maximize Floor Space

Typically a teen's room is short on floor space. A bed, desk and a desk chair can eat up the available space. A room can become quickly cramped when you add storage for clothes and all of the teen's other "necessities."

The more you can minimize furniture in the room, the more floor space you will have. Consider using:

• A closet organizer with drawers and shelves in lieu of chests or bookcases. (Assembling an organizer is a great project for a teen!)
• Bedside shelves instead of tables or chests
• Open shelves and hanging boxes for books, CDs, DVDs and other collectibles

Flexibility and Low Cost

One thing you can be certain of when decorating a teenagers room is that they will want to change the look again sooner than you will. Incorporate flexibility into your design. The key is to not spend a lot of money on a décor element that may be changing before it has a chance to wear out!

• Paint – Don't be afraid to use dark colors or to mix multiple colors in one room. Dark walls with a lighter ceiling can provide the cozy den-like feel that many teenage boys are looking for. An accent wall behind a bed can set off the bed as the focal point in a teenager's room. And when the teenager gets tired of army green walls, paint is relatively inexpensive to change.
• Bedding – Avoid the temptation to spend hundreds of dollars in coordinated sheets, comforters and pillows. It might seem like a logical way to quickly build a theme in the room – but it is also expensive, particularly if the teen changes their mind and wants to drastically change the color scheme. Look for low-cost, solid-colored bedding at discount stores or on clearance racks. Then, add your theme enhancements to the beds with pillows. Pillow covers are very easy to make, and a wide variety of fun prints are available at your local fabric store or online fabric stores such as Joann Fabrics and Hancock Fabrics.
• Slipcovers – You can update a chair, futon or small couch with a slipcover. There are a wide variety of styles and patterns available online from Sure Fit. They can turn Uncle Harry's old stained loveseat into stylish seating when friends come over to hang out. And, when the pizza lands upside down on the cushion, you can just pop the slipcover in the washer.
• Window Treatments – You don't have to spend large parts of your decorating budget on curtains to match the new décor. Instead, spend your window budget on solid color blinds or shades in a neutral tone for privacy. To enhance the décor or theme you can always hang inexpensive curtain panels that you purchase or make from bed sheets. When it's time for a décor change, the blinds or shades will still be in place and you can substitute in a new pair of curtain panels in the new décor.

Anti-Clutter

Shelves, wall boxes, closet storage units all provide space to store and display the many things that teenagers have in their rooms. The two keys to minimizing clutter are:

1. Put the clutter in something that closes (like a box or basket with a lid)
2. Make it easy to put the clutter away

Use bulletin boards to display pictures, notes, cards and small mementos. An old piece of cork covered in a piece of décor-coordinated fabric can quickly and inexpensively turn a space over their desk into a keepsake area.

Enjoyment with Friends

Teens love to hangout with their friends – particularly in their bedroom. Lounging and sleeping space for friends doesn't have to be a big investment -- it can be stacked pillows on the floor, a futon or an inflatable bed. If the room has minimal floor space, consider a trundle bed.

Winning at Bedroom Decorating for a Teenager

Decorating a teen's room can be a challenge, but it can also be a great opportunity for you and your teen to work together. Your teen will end up with a room that they are proud of and you will have a fresh new space in your home.