Self-expression, evolving tastes and a need for privacy are all characteristics of most teenagers and important to keep in mind when tackling a teen room makeover. A teen’s room is a special sanctuary and should reflect his or her individual style. Creating a teen’s dream room is truly a collaborative process – try brainstorming different styles and ideas together and work closely with your teen to create a bedroom that works for everyone in the family.
Following are a few considerations:
- A fresh coat. Remember, paint is not permanent, so have some fun selecting the wall color. Make the most of deep colors with the right accent colors and lighting. Or you can compromise with one accent wall of bold color.
- Color is key. Whether you have a teen boy with a penchant for purple or a daughter who loves bright fuchsia, purchase fun bedding in vibrant patterns and colors and accentuate with a bold, bright area rug.
Color is key. This vibrant quilt is from Designers Guild.
- Flexible but fun. A teen room often serves many purposes – from a space to study to a spot for hanging out with friends. Try to carve out a special study nook with a desk and lamp. If the room is spacious, create a hang-out area with a small sofa or plush cushions for seating.
- Follow a theme. If your teen is game, help him or her come up with a theme – e.g. sports, retro, rock n’ roll, etc. – that aptly reflects his or her hobbies and personality.
- Headboard fun. A headboard is an easy way to make a statement in a room. Create a distinctive one with paint or fun fabric or install a contemporary headboard with built-in storage space.
- Mix it up. To appeal to a teen’s yearning to be on the edge, try a juxtaposition of old with new, for example a Rococo headboard with modern fabric.
- Mitigate the mess. This is not an easy feat when dealing with the average teen. To help minimize mayhem, provide lots and lots of visible, easy-to-use storage, such as sturdy built-in bookshelves, loft or bunk beds with extra storage, under bed bins and plenty of hooks and wall shelves.
- Keep it simple. Your teen is growing and changing. Keep the room fairly simple so you can easily update as your child grows – or even reinvent it when an older teen moves out. Carefully consider how you’ll use the room once he or she is independent.
- Lighting options. For cost efficiency and flexibility, the use of LED lighting is optimum. Add a few strips underneath a bed platform to give a glow. Or consider theatrical track lights so your teen can adjust lighting and coloration according to mood.
- Sound systems. Music is imperative to many teens, most of whom are on top of evolving technology. For the ultimate in sound, try either a Bose or a JMEL sound system with two to four 40-watt speakers and subwoofer. Integrate the sound system with the lighting.
Purchase fun bedding in vibrant patterns and colors, like this pattern from Thibaut.
When working with your teen on room décor, consider his or her age, as tastes and styles will evolve dramatically between the ages of 13 and 18.
Above all, respect your teen’s unique needs and wants. And please keep me posted on the outcome by posting your “teen scene” on our Facebook page.