Teen Time: Expert Tips for Designing a Teenager's Bedroom
Is your not-so-little one yearning for a more grown-up space? Three experts reveal how to create a teen-friendly bedroom
Ashling Kwok
17 February 2019
Houzz Australia Contributor, Content Writer, Editor & Author based in Sydney - www.ashlingkwok.com
Houzz Australia Contributor, Content Writer, Editor & Author based in Sydney - ... More
Designing a teenager’s bedroom is no simple task – it needs to be a multi-functional space where your child can sleep, study and have friends over… and incorporate the inevitable ‘cool’ factor. Three design experts share some practical tips for creating a bedroom that meets all these criteria and gets everyone’s tick of approval.
Create a design
The first step to creating the perfect teenage bedroom is to involve your child in the planning process.
“Most teens treat their room like a small home,” says Bree Leech, an interior designer and stylist. “They will sleep, eat, study and entertain in that limited space, so it is important to remember this when creating your design.”
If you let your teen have a say from the beginning of the design process, chances are you’ll end up with both a tastefully designed bedroom and a happy child.
The first step to creating the perfect teenage bedroom is to involve your child in the planning process.
“Most teens treat their room like a small home,” says Bree Leech, an interior designer and stylist. “They will sleep, eat, study and entertain in that limited space, so it is important to remember this when creating your design.”
If you let your teen have a say from the beginning of the design process, chances are you’ll end up with both a tastefully designed bedroom and a happy child.
Pick a colour
Once you and your teenager have settled on a design, it’s time to select the colour palette.
Cat Gerke, marketing and PR manager at interiors firm The Designory, recommends sticking to neutrals such as white and grey for walls and windows. “This will allow you to introduce colourful art, bedding and rugs into the space, and update as required,” she says.
“The biggest trends in teen bedroom walls for 2019 are navy, charcoal and grey,” says Justine Wilson, director and principal stylist at Vault Interiors. “Neutrals are also extremely popular. Think boho style – cream, white and monochromatic palettes.”
According to Leech, the colours you choose do not need to be gender specific. “The colours that will work well are the colours your teen loves,” she says. Just remember that warmer colours will make a space feel cosier, while cooler ones will give the illusion of a bigger space.”
Once you and your teenager have settled on a design, it’s time to select the colour palette.
Cat Gerke, marketing and PR manager at interiors firm The Designory, recommends sticking to neutrals such as white and grey for walls and windows. “This will allow you to introduce colourful art, bedding and rugs into the space, and update as required,” she says.
“The biggest trends in teen bedroom walls for 2019 are navy, charcoal and grey,” says Justine Wilson, director and principal stylist at Vault Interiors. “Neutrals are also extremely popular. Think boho style – cream, white and monochromatic palettes.”
According to Leech, the colours you choose do not need to be gender specific. “The colours that will work well are the colours your teen loves,” she says. Just remember that warmer colours will make a space feel cosier, while cooler ones will give the illusion of a bigger space.”
Add storage
Storage is key when it comes to designing your teenager’s bedroom. Wilson believes it is better to have a combination of open and concealed storage, such as a bookshelf with cupboards or drawers at the bottom and some open shelves at the top.
“Teenagers like to display trophies, photos and mementos, but they also have books and sports clothes that you will want to hide away,” says Wilson. “Floating shelves or a desk with drawers is a great way to display precious items and conceal mess.”
If your teenager’s bedroom is on the smaller side, Gerke recommends incorporating customised joinery into your design so you can take advantage of every nook and cranny, and personalise the space to suit your teenager’s needs.
“Utilising under-bed storage is also a good idea,” says Gerke. “Rather than buying an ensemble base and mattress, consider a base with integrated drawers or one on legs so you can hide shoes, books and other bits and bobs underneath it.”
Storage is key when it comes to designing your teenager’s bedroom. Wilson believes it is better to have a combination of open and concealed storage, such as a bookshelf with cupboards or drawers at the bottom and some open shelves at the top.
“Teenagers like to display trophies, photos and mementos, but they also have books and sports clothes that you will want to hide away,” says Wilson. “Floating shelves or a desk with drawers is a great way to display precious items and conceal mess.”
If your teenager’s bedroom is on the smaller side, Gerke recommends incorporating customised joinery into your design so you can take advantage of every nook and cranny, and personalise the space to suit your teenager’s needs.
“Utilising under-bed storage is also a good idea,” says Gerke. “Rather than buying an ensemble base and mattress, consider a base with integrated drawers or one on legs so you can hide shoes, books and other bits and bobs underneath it.”
Include teen essentials
Although your teenager will want to create a space that embodies his or her own individual style and tastes, there are certain elements that every teenager’s bedroom should include.
“A large, comfortable bed is essential, as teenagers grow quickly and often have friends over to stay,” says Leech. “A sturdy desk that can fit a laptop and a comfortable chair are also important, as these are the years when study ramps up.”
“Great lighting and a quality desk lamp are vital for long nights studying,” says Gerke. “Access to natural light is also a must as it fosters a positive mood and attitude.”
Concentration Stations: 8 Exam-Ready Teen Study Nooks
Although your teenager will want to create a space that embodies his or her own individual style and tastes, there are certain elements that every teenager’s bedroom should include.
“A large, comfortable bed is essential, as teenagers grow quickly and often have friends over to stay,” says Leech. “A sturdy desk that can fit a laptop and a comfortable chair are also important, as these are the years when study ramps up.”
“Great lighting and a quality desk lamp are vital for long nights studying,” says Gerke. “Access to natural light is also a must as it fosters a positive mood and attitude.”
Concentration Stations: 8 Exam-Ready Teen Study Nooks
Create display space
Gerke suggests adding a quality pinboard to the design as it will reduce wall damage and give your teenager somewhere to pin photos and reminders.
“A pinboard is a great inclusion as it allows teens to personalise their space and showcase what is important to them,” says Leech. “The board also acts as an ever-changing artwork as their tastes change.”
Gerke suggests adding a quality pinboard to the design as it will reduce wall damage and give your teenager somewhere to pin photos and reminders.
“A pinboard is a great inclusion as it allows teens to personalise their space and showcase what is important to them,” says Leech. “The board also acts as an ever-changing artwork as their tastes change.”
Include personal touches
Once you have sorted out the essentials, it’s time to add in some personal touches.
Allowing your teenager to personalise their space by selecting cushions, artwork, and accessories will encourage them to take pride in their room. “They still won’t tidy up and vacuum as often as you would like, but chances are they will do it more often,” says Leech.
“Photos are particularly important to the Instagram generation,” says Wilson. “Stringing Polaroid pictures with fairy lights like a garland can look wonderful; photos blown up on a canvas or printed in small frames and mounted on the wall will also look fantastic.”
Once you have sorted out the essentials, it’s time to add in some personal touches.
Allowing your teenager to personalise their space by selecting cushions, artwork, and accessories will encourage them to take pride in their room. “They still won’t tidy up and vacuum as often as you would like, but chances are they will do it more often,” says Leech.
“Photos are particularly important to the Instagram generation,” says Wilson. “Stringing Polaroid pictures with fairy lights like a garland can look wonderful; photos blown up on a canvas or printed in small frames and mounted on the wall will also look fantastic.”
Invest wisely
One of the key features of any teenager’s bedroom is the bed. Gerke suggests buying the largest bed that will fit the room, without compromising study and storage space.
A sturdy trundle bed is also essential, as your teenager is likely to have plenty of sleepovers. “However, a quality blow-up mattress will do the same job, it’s cheaper, and can be stored away,” says Gerke.
It is also wise to invest in quality bedding as teenagers like to lie around on their bed with friends, says Leech. “Make sure the bedding is comfortable and durable, and add some extra cushions they can lean on,” she says.
One of the key features of any teenager’s bedroom is the bed. Gerke suggests buying the largest bed that will fit the room, without compromising study and storage space.
A sturdy trundle bed is also essential, as your teenager is likely to have plenty of sleepovers. “However, a quality blow-up mattress will do the same job, it’s cheaper, and can be stored away,” says Gerke.
It is also wise to invest in quality bedding as teenagers like to lie around on their bed with friends, says Leech. “Make sure the bedding is comfortable and durable, and add some extra cushions they can lean on,” she says.
Be tech savvy
Once the aesthetics are taken care of, it’s time to think about the functionality of the space. Teens use the internet for school work and to maintain their social lives online, so incorporating data points is essential.
“Make sure your teenager has enough power points to plug in computers and charge devices,” says Leech. “Try to integrate them into the study area to keep it contained and neat.”
Gerke agrees that having access to the internet is important to teenagers. “Having an ethernet cable installed or adding a WiFi booster will help teens stay connected,” she says.
JSYK: Your Guide to Deciphering Teen Text Speak
Once the aesthetics are taken care of, it’s time to think about the functionality of the space. Teens use the internet for school work and to maintain their social lives online, so incorporating data points is essential.
“Make sure your teenager has enough power points to plug in computers and charge devices,” says Leech. “Try to integrate them into the study area to keep it contained and neat.”
Gerke agrees that having access to the internet is important to teenagers. “Having an ethernet cable installed or adding a WiFi booster will help teens stay connected,” she says.
JSYK: Your Guide to Deciphering Teen Text Speak
Make it cosy
To complete your teenager’s bedroom makeover, be sure to include some soft touches. Wilson suggests adding thick curtains, plush rugs, throws and scatter cushions in their favourite colours. “This will make the space feel cosy and inviting,” she says.
To complete your teenager’s bedroom makeover, be sure to include some soft touches. Wilson suggests adding thick curtains, plush rugs, throws and scatter cushions in their favourite colours. “This will make the space feel cosy and inviting,” she says.
Tell us
How did you design your teenager’s bedroom? Tell us how you went about it in the Comments below, like this story, save it for future reference and join the conversation.
More
Need a little help coming up with a room design your teenager will love? Find a local interior designer or decorator here
How did you design your teenager’s bedroom? Tell us how you went about it in the Comments below, like this story, save it for future reference and join the conversation.
More
Need a little help coming up with a room design your teenager will love? Find a local interior designer or decorator here
Related Stories
Most Popular
Key Measurements for a Dream Bedroom
By HouzzAU
Learn the dimensions that will help your bed, side tables and other bedroom furniture fit neatly in your space
Full Story
Most Popular
3 Designers Reveal Where to Spend and Save in a Bedroom Redesign
By Cheryl F
We asked three UK interior designers which elements they think are worth investing in for a good night’s sleep
Full Story
Most Popular
12 Decorating Tips to Make Any Bedroom Look Better
By Anne Ellard
Want to know how to make your bedroom look better? Here are 12 great tricks
Full Story
Renovation Guides
Room by Room: Experts on Ways to Avoid Common Renovation Blunders
From the kitchen to the garden, and all areas in between, experts identify common mistakes and share priceless insights
Full Story
Most Popular
How to Control the Cost of Your Renovation, Room by Room
Where to save, where to spend (and all the tricks in between) for keeping the cost of your renovation on track
Full Story
Wardrobes
An Insider's Guide to Walk-In Wardrobe Measurements
Take a look at essential wardrobe measurements, along with some considerations to guarantee your 'robe is well designed
Full Story
Most Popular
How to Get a Good Night's Sleep (According to Science)
Sleep scientist Dr Carmel Harrington reveals exactly how to get enough rest for optimum health and productivity
Full Story
Decorating
How to Create a Colourful, Yet Calm, Bedroom
By Kate Burt
Let the experts show you how to pep up the palette in your sleeping space like a pro
Full Story
Small Spaces
Pro Panel: 4 Experts' Secrets to Making the Most of Tiny Bedrooms
A compact bedroom can still be a dream space with a bit of thoughtful planning, as these professionals explain
Full Story
Seasonal
Your Summer Bedroom: How to Keep Your Cool on Steamy Nights
By Janet Dunn
Don't let tossing, turning and tangled sheets spoil your sleep this summer
Full Story
I think only the last room would appeal to a boy. What about some strong masculine colours for a boys room?
Internet access in a bedroom is not always necessary or advisable for sleep and mental health reason. At a minimum, you want to be able to cut it off at bedtime