How to Decorate a Preteen Boy's Bedroom

A preteen boy needs a space to call his own.

A preteen boy is growing in both body and mind. Although sports and friends are still at the forefront, his need for independence and privacy is developing. Help him transition into his teen years by including him in the decorating of his bedroom domain. Focus on sports, hobbies or special interests that he will most likely continue into his early teens to set your theme and begin your transformation.

Things You'll Need

• Cleaning supplies
• Framed posters
• Peel and stick mural
• Wall paint
• Paint rollers
• Bedroom furniture
• Nail
• Hammer
• Bed linens
• Area rug
• Laundry hamper
• Bookshelves
• Corkboard

Instructions

1. 

   Wash windows, carpets and walls to give your preteen a fresh start.

   Clean the room thoroughly. Starting with a clean and empty room means less frustration while painting, and a greater ability to imagine a new look.

2. 

   Focus on your son's favorite hobby to determine a theme for his room.

   Talk to your preteen boy to determine a theme he can live with for at least a year. Discuss his favorite sports, hobbies or heroes, and choose one to set your theme.

3. 

   A plain black frame can dress up any piece of artwork.

   Select artwork to hang on the wall. Choosing artwork allows you to coordinate wall paint and accessories. Consider framed posters, peel and stick graphics or murals for one wall.

4. 

   A paint roller makes quick work of repainting a room.

   Apply some paint. Paint one wall to add a fresh look, or paint all four to refresh the entire room. Select your paint color based on the artwork. For example, if your preteen loves fishing and you select a riverbank mural, paint your wall in muted greens or blues to match.

5. 

   Refresh old furniture with paint and new hardware.

   Place a bed, desk and chest of drawers in the room. If the furnishings are mismatched, paint with furniture paint in black, white or a color to match your artwork.

6. 

   Use a thumb tack or hammer and small nail to hang a poster frame over the bed.

   Hang artwork over the bed. One large piece of artwork is better than many small pictures, so place a large poster or mural carefully.

7. 

   Dark linens make a space look warm and masculine.

   Dress the bed with darker colors that coordinate with the art. A dark-colored comforter hides food stains and pet hair, and makes the room feel warm and inviting.

8. 

   Sheets come with many decorative designs.

   Select novelty sheets to match the theme of the room. For example, purchase sheets and pillowcases with fish on them for your fisherman’s room.

9. 

   Place an area rug over wall-to-wall carpeting to change the look of the room.

   Place a colorful area rug lengthwise next to the bed to carry your color theme to the floor of the room. This also provides a soft place for growing feet.

10. 

    Place a laundry hamper with a lid in the room to keep it neat.

    Make the room easy for a young boy to keep neat. Provide a hamper for dirty laundry and bookshelves to keep the room organized. Hang a corkboard over a desk to display photos of friends, activity schedules and reminders.

Tips & Warnings

• Create an entertainment area if the room is large enough. Toss some beanbag chairs in the corner next to a flatscreen television and gaming system, so your preteen can play with friends in his space.

• Although a computer is almost necessary for today’s youth to do homework on, a computer in the room can make your child vulnerable to online predators. Keep computers in common areas of the home, or network the system and download monitoring and safety software on his system.

References

• Decorating Kid's Rooms
• HGTV: Dramatic Boys' Bedrooms

Resources

• Bedroom Decorating Ideas: Boys Bedroom Ideas