When it comes to decorating a teenager’s room, it can either be effortless or one of the hardest things you do as a parent. However, if you know where to start and how to go about it, it doesn’t have to be difficult at all. Teenagers are relatively easy to decorate for if you know what they like and if you follow a few of these very useful tips.
Ask Them What They Like
The first thing you can do is to ask them what they like. Do they want colour, timber drawers, something simple, or something a bit more eclectic? The last thing you want to do is to decide what they like for them. Asking will also potentially save you a lot of time, money, and effort, as you won’t have to waste any of it on something they may not like.
Don’t Over-Theme
Next, avoid falling into the trap of over-theming a bedroom. A 13-year-old may love fishing or Formula 1, but there is very little chance of them liking a fishing-themed bedroom when they are seventeen or eighteen. Instead, use decorations like paintings, lamps, and materials to convey the theme. This means the theme can be changed overnight without having to repaint or make any drastic changes.
A great example of this is all the kid’s bedrooms you saw on Extreme Makeover: Home Edition; a ten-year-old views a superhero-themed bedroom very differently compared to a sixteen-year-old. Avoid this trap at all costs, as the room will be “cool” for a year or two at most.
Keep it Simple
Another thing you should do is to try and keep the room relatively simple. Teenagers have their own tastes, likes, and dislikes, and there is a good chance they will want to express themselves in their room, using the neutral walls as a canvas. A more basic room is also much easier to change and improve, as you can simply add to it and take away things as time goes on.
Ensure You Include Their Favourite Things
When designing the room, don’t overlook what your child likes. This is different to a theme, as including a bean bag chair or a desk for drawing isn’t a theme. Once again, no need to go overboard; this is more about letting them feel like the room is their own.
Avoid Fads
Another mistake that you should avoid is to design the room around a fad or include a decorative idea that is a fad. The biggest problem with fads is that they end, and you are left with a room that now feels and looks dated.
Make it Comfortable
Most teenagers tend to spend a lot of time in their bedrooms, whether it be for studying, reading, talking to friends, or just being on their own. Because of this, it is important to ensure the room is comfortable. While there is no need to turn the room into a luxury suite, having a couch, bean bag chair, reading nook, or something similar that adds a level of cosiness to the room will go a very long way.
Add a Study Area
Another must-have in any teenager’s room is a dedicated study area. This can be a desk or a study nook; either way, it needs to be an area that is for studying, homework, or hobbies such as writing, painting, or drawing.
Plants
Something that is often overlooked is the addition of plants in a room. As mentioned, a teenager spends a ton of time in their room, and a plant is one of the best ways to keep the room feeling fresh and to keep the air clean. There are many indoor plants that are low-maintenance but still provide several benefits throughout the year, no matter the weather.
Tech Considerations
When it comes to tech, this should be a discussion between you and your child. If you include a PC, gaming console, or TV, your teenager will spend far more time in their room than usual. On the other hand, if you don’t have a dedicated room for them to game or watch movies with friends, there will be clashes about who can use the TV or PC and when they can use it.
Let Them Decorate Too
As mentioned, teenagers have their own tastes and likes; therefore, they should be part of the design process as well. If they like a particular piece of furniture, paint colour, or carpet, find a way to include it in the room. This also allows them to personalise it in a way that they already approve, meaning the end product will definitely be something they like.
Design Around a Hobby
Finally, if your child has a hobby that requires a dedicated space, try and incorporate it into the room. For instance, if they play an instrument, adding some soundproofing to the walls will go a long way. This applies to painting, too, as well as yoga. Setting aside a corner of the room with an easel or a yoga mat allows your child to have the space and freedom to enjoy their chosen hobby or passion.
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