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⏰Redefine Teen Rooms Now: Avoid Design Battles

Are you preparing for battle as you tackle teen rooms decorating projects? It doesn't have to be that way. Follow my tips and call it a truce.

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Your teen has decided it's time to give their room a whole new vibe. And you're probably bracing yourself for a major battle. Are we talking pitch-black walls? Disco balls from the ceiling? And what kind of art are we going to be dealing with here?

Your teen is probably thinking the same thing about you. Is it going to be the boring neutral you have in the rest of the house (their thoughts not mine!). Are they going to stop me from adding my favorite art? Will I be allowed to choose the paint color?

Do you have a story to share? Click here to share your experiences of decorating a teenagers room with visitors to this page! 

Avoid design battles with these Teen Rooms basic tips

Decorating a teen's room can sometimes feel like a tug-of-war between what you want and what they think is cool. But hey, it doesn’t have to be this way! Let's flip the script and make this project FUN!

Their bedroom is their sanctuary, a place that shows off who they are—just like your home reflects your personality and style. Why not let their space do the same? Here are some fun, friendly tips to make this room refresh a bonding experience rather than a battle.

Tip: Remember to read our pages on Basic Rules of decorating. They will hold good for the teen rooms as well.

1. Keep an open mind

Before you break out the paint samples, sit down and chat. Really listen to what your teen wants for their room.

Yes, even if it's wild.

Let them share their vision, and you can offer some friendly advice (emphasis on friendly). It's their room, after all, but your wisdom is always welcome!

2. Plan the room - Create Zones

Help your teen think about what they'll actually do in their space. Space planning becomes key here as teen rooms have to cater to multiple needs of kids on the brink of adulthood.

Do they need a study nook? A spot for gaming? A cozy reading corner? List out the activities and figure out how to create little "zones" for each. Then, pick furniture and lighting that supports those different needs.

(Tip: Don't forget about the path from the bed to the closet and bathroom—let's avoid any early-morning stumbles!)

Create activity zones in teen roomsCreate activity zones in teen rooms

3. List out Individual Responsibilities

Everyone involved in the teen rooms décor must be clear about his or her individual responsibilities. 

It’s a great time for your teen to learn about budgeting and being accountable for their own space. Giving them a say in the process boosts confidence—and keeps you from being the sole decision-maker (and thus, the one to blame when something goes wrong!).

4. Challenge Their Creativity

Their childhood furniture does not have to end up in the next garage sale. Challenge your teenager to re-use the old furniture in the new room. With a little paint and some new hardware, that old dresser can feel brand new.

Tip: Produce an interesting twist by using his old toys or knick-knacks to create customized knobs for dresser or desk and even custom door knobs.

They’ll end up with something truly one-of-a-kind!

We are compiling a list of popular Teen Themes. Is there any particular theme you would like us to showcase? We also have interesting Inspiration Boards to get your creative juices flowing.

Add vertical storage to save on floor space in bedroomAdd vertical storage to save on floor space in bedroom

5.  Tackle the Clutter (and Make It Fun)

Teen rooms can get messy. But instead of nagging them to clean up, give them cool ways to organize! Think fun storage containers, shelving, and hooks. Here’s a sneaky tip: removing the closet door can keep them from throwing everything inside when it's time to “clean.” With the closet in plain sight, they'll be more motivated to keep it neat.

Add shelves to showcase their prized possessions. If they are proud of their room, they will work to keep it organized and clean.

Parenting Tip: Let them call their friends over! Whenever my daughter had friends coming over, she would rush to clean and vacuum her room. LOL.

6. "I want Black Walls!"

Uh-oh. Your teen wants to paint their walls black, and suddenly, you're seeing red. Before you panic, take a deep breath. Suggest compromising by incorporating their bold color into accessories like pillows, rugs, or curtains. Or, offer to let them paint one wall black as an accent wall. A win-win!

Tip: If he still insists on a color you know he will soon outgrow, inform him that he will have to paint (and re-paint, if need be) the walls himself. That should be an immediate deterrent.

How to Use Black in Teenage Bedroom Design

A Foolproof Guide to Bedrooms in Black

Black can be a very elegant addition to your teen's space. Check out all the tips, tricks and ideas along with visual inspiration on how you can successfully introduce black in teen bedroom designs. 

It is so important that we always support and communicate clearly with our children. Allowing them to grow on their terms and make mistakes to learn from, is an essential parenting skill. But that's a different topic for a different blog post.

7. Sharing Room with Sibling

If your teenager is sharing a room with a sibling, provide privacy by either hanging curtains, providing a canopy bed or simply using shelving between the beds to visually separate the two beds.

8. Light Sets the Mood

Lighting is an important element in any bedroom. An unusual overhead light can create a focal point for his room. Don’t hesitate to browse the local second-hand stores and garage sales. Like a piece but the color doesn’t fit the theme? Pick it up and brush on the matching color.

Tip: If your theme includes large circles, look for theme oriented glass bangles or other circular shapes you could attach to the chandelier, wall sconce or lampshade to achieve that unique style.

9. Protect the Walls

Your teenager’s fads and fantasies will be changing at a frantic pace. Guard the walls against sticky glue, tape and pins. Provide him with ample space to showcase his current whims. Put up frames to display posters and other teen art. A large corkboard on one wall can hold important notes, phone numbers and more.

Add decorative ceiling tiles to create dramaDecorative ceiling tiles upscale the room

10. A Painted Floor or Decorative Ceiling

Teen rooms with wall-to-wall carpeting are clean-up disaster areas (especially when they are entertaining!). An interesting idea would be to paint the floor and throw in an easy-maintenance area rug.

Can you imagine these ceiling tiles adorning your teen bedrooms? It will completely transform the look of the room.

11. Be Kind to Earth

Eco-friendly is the current way to be. Being environment friendly can also be very cost-effective. Encourage your teenager to recycle his stuff to create cool and trendy new things. An old pair of jeans makes a fun statement when used as pillow and bolster covers in the new teen rooms.

Your teenager is in the process of discovering himself. His likes and dislikes, fads and fantasies, attitude and lifestyle will be in a constant state of transformation. Your teenager’s bedroom is his testing ground. Allow him the freedom to express himself (in aesthetically contained ways).

Involve him in the decorating process. It will give him a sense of pride when he achieves the final look of his room. Encourage him to explore his individuality and discover his true identity. Together you can create a room that does not blindly follow the trend; instead it makes a statement...the right statement.

Shall we call it a truce?

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Hi, I am Richa and am super excited to see you here. I enjoy interior designing so much I went back to study it. Now armed with knowledge, passion and a vision to make 'happy homes', I hope this site will give you all the tools you need to make your kid's room happy too.   Read More...