When your child is young, you have a lot of say and inspiration on what their room looks like. As your child gets older, the ideas come more and more from them. By the time your child is a teen, they have developed their own tastes and styles. If it is time to update their childhood bedroom into something they can really be proud of, we have some ideas for you.
Comfy & Cozy
When you think about your teen, do you think immediately of lounging? Is your child often sprawled on the couch? Is their favorite pastime video games, reading a book, or watching TV? If your teen values lounging above all else, then their room needs to represent that.
First, determine how much space is available in your teen’s room. Chaise lounge chairs are very stylish and could be an excellent place for your teen to hang out. A pair of them would be a fabulous social hangout spot for your teen and their friends. If room doesn’t allow for that, consider a bean bag chair or similar. Make sure to avoid the space looking childish by choosing your colors carefully. Pair the chairs with a very neutral wall with some classy art. Avoid bright or primary colors.
Minimalism
Minimalism isn’t just for the middle-aged. Less clutter opens and frees the mind. Since your teen is likely going to be doing some amount of school work in their room at any given time, a clean and clear space is a great advantage. For teens with a mature style, design their bedroom in muted colors over anything too bold. Shelves that provide them space to store their items, but not too full, are a must for any minimalist room. Finding an eclectic mix of unique furniture is the final step.
Farmhouse
Farmhouse is one of the most popular styles out there, and probably will be for some time to come. The classic wood and metal mix may appeal to your teen too. Start with neutral walls. Cream and gray are natural backdrops. Think nature when it comes to the accents. Blue and green are the most natural colors out there. Wood furniture, old or new, will fill the space. Candles, ceramics, plants, and homey art will fill the nooks and crannies. Get your teen involved for some DIY projects to coordinate.
Give Your Teen A Blank Canvas
If your child has a developed interest in art and style, the best possible room you can give them is a space to fill themselves. You don’t have to fill the room all at once. Start with neutral walls and bring them along for the design process. Let them express themselves with art for the walls. See what happens. You may both learn a little something about yourselves.
Bold Colors
Bold colors can be hard to incorporate. It can quickly go too far into a childish direction. When using bold colors, it is important to be careful and not overdo it. Stick with one bold color, maybe two, and use it wisely. Your color is the star, so you don’t need to add too many patterns. If you want to add patterns, they should be a small part of it, more of an accent. This could be things like blankets, rugs, or small decor pieces.
Hang a Mini Art Gallery
Is your teen super creative? If so, you may want to provide them with an opportunity to express it! Your first thought when it comes to an art gallery is probably paintings hung neatly on a wall for all to see. You don’t, however, need to feel limited to paintings, nor to neatly hung! Instead, a gallery wall is a collection of pieces hung together. This could be skateboards, clocks, or even just photographs. Let their creativity shine.
Elegance and Oppulance
What do you first think of when you think victorian mansions and bedrooms? Is it the flowy curtains that hang from a four-poster bed? Whether you decide to spring for a new bed, or fake it, a billowy, curtained bed may be just the thing your teenager wants. To fake this look, simply hang curtains from the ceiling. Sheer curtains work great to keep the area open and breathable while giving your teen a cozy nook to escape to. Pair this with a palette of soft colors and greenery for a truly decadent area. When selecting greenery, keep your teen in mind. For teens that may not have the greenest thumb, succulents, or even artificial plants may be the way to go.
Work From Home
Middle school and high school students have a lot more work than young children. A lot of teenagers also have hobbies that require a desk or workspace. When redesigning a busy teenager’s room, definitely keep this in mind. Think of what they need. Desktops, as well as storage space, should be considered. It shouldn’t be all utility either, incorporate your child’s style. Desks come in wood, metal, and glass. You can find them easily in main colors like black and white, but don’t discount other options. Browse your local consignment stores for truly unique styles and bold pieces. Shelves, cupboards, and cabinets can be sourced all over, but talk to your child before you begin to discover their exact needs.
Ocean Style
Oceans and coasts consist of a classic color palette that never goes out of style. You don’t have to be obvious with this design direction, either. Shells and sand aren’t required. Think of the colors you see at the seashore like blues, greens, and plenty of neutrals like beige.
Unique, Like You
Your teenager is exploring their interests and styles. They are taking risks and experimenting. Let their room be the same. Explore using eclectic furniture pieces. What’s the point in buying a super matching set when you can get the perfect collection of pieces that match your child. There are so many options out there. Source from different places and see what the local color is to choose from. In Kentucky, for example, you can find beautiful pieces inspired by the nature around us, handmade pieces from local artisans, and of course, unlimited amounts of horse art.
Bohemian to You, Bougie to Your Teen
You might not be cool enough to pull off the latest lingo to your teenager, but you can still bring style to their room that they will love. Bohemian style is familiar to us. Natural materials like yarn and wood are vital components. The color palettes of Bohemian are muted pastels. These things are not far off from Bougie style of today. Use lots of natural materials. Over large yarn knitted blankets. Wood planters filled with succulents. These styles may not be exactly the same, but there is a lot of parallels to draw. Introduce some Bohemian ideas too, like lounge furniture and hanging chairs.
Monochromatic Color Palettes
While many teens will value bold colors, just as many will value muted tones. A fun way to use color – or lack thereof – is to create a monochromatic space of your teenager’s dreams. Use the color in multiple ways by incorporating patterns (the opposite of what you should do with bolder colors). Paint one wall solid and then the next one with a geometric design. Pair solid pillowcases with a patterned duvet cover. Use plenty of lighting, especially if you are choosing a darker color to use for this design. You don’t want to create a dungeon for your teen, quite the opposite. Keep it light and open.
Minimalism Shelving
Minimalism is a great thing for teenagers. A great way to incorporate minimalism and a teenager’s belongings is open shelving. If your teen has a great book collection – or any collection for that matter – they can carefully select the best books to display and fill their shelves however they want. The open shelves allow the teen to match their style to their interests and make their items the design in of itself.
Lift Off
For your teen with limited space, lofts are a fabulous solution. You can count on your teen to spend more time in their rooms than younger children. They need space to study or incorporate an entertainment system.
There Are Always Sets
Just because you can choose from so many options, doesn’t mean you have to. Prematched bedroom sets are an excellent option for anyone who likes the look of one. Selecting something that is already predetermined to look nice can save stress and headaches. Plus, you or your teenager may just not be that great at piecing together an eclectic set of furniture. Sets save you a lot of time. If you need a bed, set of drawers, nightstand and wardrobe, finding them all in one place is very convenient. Its ok to not have the time or energy to select them individually as you find things that fit. Further, it saves you from making the hard choices of choosing between 2 matching items and a 3rd outlier that only matches one of those pieces.
In The End
Your teenager is looking to find their identity. Suggesting a design change of their room – or working with them to do that – can be a great bonding experience and a way to show your child how much you care. When its time to get started, stop by Another Man’s Treasure in Lexington, KY, for a wide eclectic range of furniture to choose from.