Simple Ideas for Decorating a Teen’s Room

As your child approaches their teenage years, they will want a change in the way their bedroom is decorated.  Teenagers don't want a theme that looks childish; boys often enjoy sports themes or something a bit on the masculine side, while girls love exotic animal-print themes or a look that is a bit more feminine. 

By changing the look of your teens’ room you not only have fun, you can spend quality time with your child by letting them choose much of the decor, and making the decorating a joint effort.  Teenagers have their own opinions, and want to express themselves through the bedroom decor.  This can be a fun project for both of you!

Always share ideas when redecorating your teen’s room; teenagers have very specific ideas, so the two of you can come to a compromise on how the room should be decorated.  By including your teen in choosing the theme for the room, accessories and other decor, they will be happy with the results.  Ask questions regarding study space, furniture, wall decor and other accents.  Storage is often a problem during the teenage years, as they have so many things they have collected over the years.  Consider placing budget-friendly storage containers under the bed to keep the room clean and uncluttered.

If you don't have a budget that allows for all new furniture, you can make dramatic changes yourself.  Remove old paint or stain if you have wood furnishings, then re-paint and sand edges for a worn look.  If your teen would rather have something a bit more modern looking, you can paint the furniture in bold colors and even stencil modern or abstract patterns on the furnishings.  Consider the intended colors for the walls, window treatments and other accessories before completing the furniture.

For the walls, anything goes!  From dramatic, bold shades of red and orange to neutral tones like sand, black and beige.  Talk to your teen about their preferences.  Colors evoke feelings and affect mood; orange and bright green are energetic, while shades of soft blue and lavender are relaxing.  Consider your teen’s personality, and whether they are a quiet type who enjoys a subtle atmosphere or a more outgoing type who prefers bold and dynamic surroundings.  You and your teen will enjoy painting the room together; if they choose a color of paint that you feel is too overwhelming for the entire room, compromise by painting a single wall in the color and adding the shade to other more subtly colored walls through a rag-rolling or sponging technique.

You and your teen can be satisfied with the results of your efforts.  While your teen may want the entire room from floor to ceiling done in a leopard or soccer theme which can be too much, you can still compromise.  Carry the theme through the room with bedding, accent rugs and throw pillows that are designed with prints, and keep window treatments and walls a bit more on the subtle side.  Or, go all out with the walls, lamps, and wall accessories, and keep bedding and accent rugs in solid colors.  A good mix will make the teen happy - and you won't be crazy every time you enter the room by a look that is overwhelming!

Think more about bonding and spending quality time with your teen than you do about the theme they have chosen.  As with many other things in life, this too shall pass; you won't have to spend the rest of your life looking at cheetah prints and soccer balls.