Teens are among the most demanding of stylists. Their capacity to understand what’s hot and what’s not on a by the minute basis and react with undiluted disdain to anything that’s not within the “hot” category is well known to all. With this in mind, it can be tricky when giving a teen’s childhood bedroom a young adult overhaul that suits their burgeoning sense of taste. You want it to look like the room of a mature, intelligent young person and give them space to sleep, study, work, pray and play… But you don’t want it to look too much like a kid’s room and you certainly don’t want it to look like an office. Teens are notoriously discerning in their tastes and the last thing you want to do is make them spend every night in a room they’re less than happy with so getting it right is essential.
While all teens have different preferences and tastes, these guiding principles will ensure that they get years of enjoyment out of a room they love while you are rightly regarded as one of the coolest parents ever to grace God’s green Earth…
Less is more
Let’s say, for the sake of argument that you have a teenage boy that loves Batman. You may be tempted to go the whole hog and buy Batman bedding, a Batman rug and Batman lampshades. But it’s best to let your kids decide on embellishments like these. Overdo it and you’ll come across as impinging on their territory. Try and keep things as neutral as possible while still subtly hinting at their personality. Remember that as teens mature their tastes will change.
Opt for furniture with a small footprint
Teens need their space… Literally. Giving them a room with lots of space will allow teens to learn how to make the most of the space they have. Open spaces have a calming, soothing effect that can easily be undone when that space becomes too cluttered. Thus, you should choose furniture that occupies as little space as possible so that they can ready, watch TV, study or play video games without feeling the stress or distraction that come with clutter. For example, this 6 ft bean bag makes a great alternative to a sofa, offering all of the comfort and relaxation while using a fraction of the space.
Don’t be afraid to use bold color combos
As important as it is to err on the side of minimalism, don’t be afraid to be bold when it comes to deciding color combinations. Juxtaposing a grayscale color scheme with hints of a primary color like red, for example, is a great way of creating a look that is age appropriate yet sophisticated.
Use pieces that pop to make a statement
That teenage boy we talked about before who loves Batman? Well, instead of plastering his room with Bat-memorabilia, a cool way to celebrate his fandom and maturity might be to adorn a feature wall with a huge framed print of his favorite Batman movie or comic book cover. It’s a more sophisticated way to make a statement and if he should decide that he’s kind of over Batman in a few years he can always take it down.
Statement pieces are a great way to add self expression and personalization to a room without detracting from its sense of maturity and character.