Decorating for Teens and Pre-teens Rooms

Hello and welcome! As promised, this month we are going to explore the mysteries of decorating for the pre-teen to teen crowd. They are a varied and interesting lot. Yes, I am referring to the room decor as well as the kids! ~grin~

If you are parenting an average child who appreciates most of what you do for them, you have it fairly easy. Let him or her help you choose a theme and wall colors and take it from there. The younger the child, the easier it is to present several color choices that at least blend with the rest of your home! Let them choose.

As our example room, we will use a rich warm golden tan on the walls, and two more accent colors. This is where the fun begins. Let's say we are working with a child who is really into sports. The basic background lends itself well for all the color combos that you can add in the way of posters , photos, sports gear, and the like. Throw rugs with the "team" insignia , bed throws, and accent lamps to match are readily available for the major teams.

By a certain age, most kids are beyond the sheets with the "whatever" on them, so I suggest sticking to basic color linens. But a comforter in the "team" colors would be fun! For example, I happen to be a Jacksonville Jaguars fan. If I had a son,
you can bet he would be a fan, also. So his room might look like this: rich golden tan walls, with black and teal accents. A patchwork look comforter with tan, black, and teal, Jaguar lamps, a black throw rug, and posters of the team on the walls. Simple shelving of wood, with all the "stuff" he has collected, and his prized Jaguar jacket hanging on a wooden peg on the wall. Wood dresser and computer desk, with Jaguar memorabilia all over.

Now try this for a "Florida Gators" fan. Same wall color, but with orange and blue. It still works.

The point here, is that if you start with a fairly neutral color, you can work in your child's favorite theme and its colors and have a wonderful, happy room! A retreat for your child, that doesn't make YOU want to retreat!

How about a young lady who loves lavender, and is a budding artist? Lavender walls, with lots of white accents, and let her art be the decor! I can see white lattice on the walls, with silk greenery and flowers vining around the edges. A French country look for our young Monet. She is surrounded by her favorite color, plus her artwork to inspire her.

What about the youngster who seems to not care what his/her room looks like? Don't believe it!
Go shopping with the child for a new bedding set and offer wall color choices and watch the "uncaring" come alive. I think you will find that he/she cares more than you thought!

My personal feeling is that in this uncertain world, we ALL need a sanctuary!
A place we can unwind and feel comfortable. Make a sanctuary for your youngster!

I think we, as parents, in an effort to give our kids the best we can, sometimes overlook the child's preferences. I strongly believe that a kid's room should reflect the kid, not just be a reflection of how we see our child. I also believe that you can achieve a wonderful look that your growing youngster will love, if you sit down and work out the colors and theme together.
If your son wants navy blue walls, work with him! It can be the start of a dynamite room!

What about the fiercely independent child who wants a really bizarre color scheme and refuses to compromise? What is the worst that can happen if you give in? Let him or her have the colors they want and quietly close the bedroom door when they are at school or out. This is a developing personality thing happening and one of two things will occur. Your independent one will eventually have a change of heart concerning the colors they now have to live with, or he/she will go off to college or move out and you can return the room to your tastes. No harm done. This independence is what we as parents try to foster in our kids, even if it blows up in our faces sometimes!

Pick your battles! The same kid who defies your sensibilities, may be secretly grateful that he/she "won" one! My defiant one became more cooperative when I allowed a simple solution (hers) to a problem that had us at odds. It drove me crazy but it made her happier and we had some peace! And again, no harm done! Another daughter loves a certain color that leaves me flat. It does nothing for me. In fact, the effect is a negative one. Her bedroom was slightly visible from the two story greatroom below. At least the upper walls were.

But I bit the bullet and while she was gone for a couple weeks visiting friends I re-did her room. It was lovely, the only problem was my feeling about the main color! I hung white Roman shades at the opening to the Greatroom below, but she insisted they be open. I suspect that was for piling pillows up high and watching TV from high above, long after her bedtime!

The point here is that she still fondly remembers that room, and still has the linens! I survived the glimpses of "that" color and it all turned out.

Bottom line: key into what pleases your offspring and go with it. If you have a cooperative child, stick to basics and get more dramatic in the less expensive things. Some things that can readily be replaced are throw rugs, paint on walls, comforters, wallpaper border , pillows, and wall decor. As in the very young child's room, let the room grow with him/her.

If your child wants "unconventional", consider the pros and cons.
You can close the door to the bedroom, and stick to your guns on the important issues!

Want ideas on Decorating rooms by Themes? Click here!

Remember...if you need some one on one, personalized help with this, click here!
Want something very different? Ever thought of "these"?
If your child wants an "animal" theme for their room, here's some wonderful things!