How to Do the Interior Design of a Teen's Room

Keep a teen's interest in mind when decorating her room.

Strike a balance between what your teen needs and wants in room design. Use basic design principles while encouraging the fluid tastes and interests of your teenager. Keep the furniture simple and classic, then use accessories and paint to reflect your teen's personality.

Instructions

Develop your teen and the room

1. 

   What furnishings do you already have? Make a list.

   Sketch the bedroom. Add all door, closet and window measurements to the drawing. Determine the size of bed and any other furniture or fixture that will not be changing. Use the measurements to determine placement of the fixed assets in the room.

2. 

   Factor in appropriate window coverings so your teen can get a good night's sleep.

   Define how your teen will use the room. Sleeping, studying and storage are the basic uses for bedrooms. Look at full-size or twin extra-long beds to accommodate your growing teen. Provide lighting over the bed for late study sessions.

3. 

   In the closet or on the floor? You decide.

   Add storage by installing a plate rail 1 foot down from the ceiling all the way around the room. Cube storage or open shelving along one wall is a solution for teens who don't always put things away or are unable to find things later. Add desk space, a bookcase and a comfortable chair to encourage your teen to study in the room. Create a dressing table on the desk space by adding a mirror on the wall behind.

4. 

   Give them room to grow.

   Leave as much floor space in the room as possible for dancing, a sleepover party, martial arts training, a train set or whatever activity interests them.

5. 

   Add lighting for all the important spaces.

   Add lighting near the bed, in the closet, on the dresser and at the desk. Consider overhead fan and light combinations for air circulation and light. Buy or sew room-darkening shades or curtains for late sleepers.

6. 

   Developing a style takes time.

   Make their room a space to develop interests. Long-lasting hobbies, interests and pursuits will take time to learn. Explore a teen's personal interests by introducing specific themes into the overall design. Determine wall paint selection by using sports team colors or a poster from a favorite movie.

7. 

   "But I like red and purple together."

   Accessorize the room using your teenager's taste. Buy bedding, curtains, throw rugs and paint for walls that can all be changed without a lot of cost. Add posters, a basketball hoop, a sports collection or music accessories to complete a look for little cost. Abandon the idea that this room must match or conform to the rest of the décor in the house. Close the door and let it be.

Tips & Warnings

• Go through magazines to develop a series of photos that you and your teen like.

• Remember that the room must function first---then it gets to be fun.

References

• "Use What You Have Decorating"; Lauri Ward; 1998