How to Make a Cool Teen Room
No matter the style or hobbies of a teen, having a hip space to hang out in provides privacy from parents and siblings so teens can enjoy their individual time. A cool teen room incorporates favorite colors, interests and gadgets as décor, while also creating a functional place for storing possessions, studying, dressing and socializing with friends. Teens and parents can collaborate on a room scheme, furniture arrangement and budget. Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- Trash bag
- Paint
- Stencils or wall decals
- Framed posters
- Framed pictures of friends
- Desk and chair
- Computer
- Wall shelving
- Magazine rack or decorative bin
- Cork board
- Desk lamp
- Colorful desk supplies containers
- Comforter set and sheets
- Accent pillows
- Accent rug
- Bean bags
- Oversized pillows
- Futon (optional)
- Flat screen television (optional)
- DVD player (optional)
- Wall hooks
- Vanity and mirror
- Full-length mirror
- Hanging paper lanterns
- Hanging disco balls
- Ceiling hooks
- Light strands
- Lava lamps
- Black lights
- Flameless candles
- Glow balls
- Beaded curtain strands
Instructions
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Ask for your teen’s input on color scheme, a theme and how she wants to set up and utilize the room. Request that she place old possessions, clothing or decor that is no longer wanted in a trash bag to donate to a sibling or charity, and to help de-clutter the space. Draw a blueprint of the desired furniture arrangement, and shop for accent pieces and decor with the teen.
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Paint the bedroom walls of the teen’s room in his chosen color. Stencil and paint designs on an accent wall or add wall pictures or word decals that represent his interests, such as favorite sports, the number on a team jersey, musical notes or genres, instruments or turntables, peace signs or nature themes, like trees and flowers. Word stencils or decals can represent goals or philosophies, such as "Respect the Ocean," "Skate or Die" or "Be the Change You Wish to See in the World." Add wall décor that correlates with the teen's interests, including framed sporting, band, movie or celebrity posters that feature the teen's idols or favorite stars. Hang framed pictures throughout the room that show the teen having fun with friends.
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Create a study area with a desk, chair and computer. Add wall shelving above the desk for teens to store books, decorative items and framed pictures of friends. Wall shelving also saves floor space, eliminating the need for a book shelf. Place a magazine rack or decorative bin next to the desk for your teen to store favorite magazines.
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Mount a cork board on the wall in front of or to the side of the desk. Allow the teen to create a personalized collage of pictures, magazine clippings and memorabilia, such as concert or sporting event ticket stubs. Place a desk lamp with a colorful or patterned shade, like polka dots or stripes, that picks up the wall color on the desk. For example, a white shade with pink polka dots enhances a pink wall, while a camouflage lamp shade brings out a green or brown wall. Add colorful containers for holding writing utensils, art supplies and chargers for electronic devices.
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Choose a comforter set and matching sheets for the bed that match the paint color on the wall. Teens might prefer large floral, polka dot, striped or camouflage patterns. Add solid color and patterned accent pillows against the headboard. Teens can rest against accent pillows when studying or reading, and can allow friends to use them for sleepovers.
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Place an accent rug in front of or to the side of the bed to provide comfortable floor seating for friends. Add bean bags and oversized pillows for kids to sit on when hanging out.
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Put a futon in the room if the bedroom floor plan allows. A futon is multifunctional, providing seating and bedding for guests. Mount a flat screen television and DVD player on the wall opposite the futon so teens can watch movies with friends.
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Hang hooks on a wall near the closet or inside the closet for teen’s to hang accessories such as hats, belts, purses and scarves. Add a vanity with a mirror and bench for teens who prefer to style hair or put on makeup in their rooms. Hang a full length mirror on the closet or back of the bedroom door so teens can view outfits before going to school or to the movies.
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Suspend circular paper lanterns or disco balls of different sizes from ceiling hooks above the teen’s bed for added color and depth. Affix glow-in-the-dark stars to the ceiling. String lights around shelving or window fixtures. Place lava lamps, blacklights or flameless candles on night stands, shelves and dressers. Arrange glow balls in nooks around the room. Hang beaded curtain strands in front of windows, the bedroom door and along the wall on both sides of the bed.
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References
- Photo Credit Comstock/Comstock/Getty Images
