When it comes to the teen years, a bedroom is so much more than just a place to sleep. It is a safe space where they can escape the everyday pressures to unwind and relax. Of course, teens are also well-known for their desire to keep up with the latest trends, which means their bedrooms are a constant, ever-changing work in progress; a never-ending rotation of out with the old and in with the new. It's a juggle between costs, functionality, aesthetics and creating a safe, secure space that will grow with your teen through these pressure-filled years. Here are 5 steps to help you pull together a timeless design to meet their changing needs.
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1. Start with the essentials
The first thing you want to tackle is the essentials your teen needs. A good-quality bed with a comfortable mattress for teens is a must for a good night's sleep. Then, turn to other furniture. A desk is a great idea to give them a quiet space to study. Consider a wardrobe with plenty of storage space for the plethora of clothes and shoes.
When it comes to shopping for these items, keep it simple. Don't go on the hunt for the latest, trendiest designs. Instead, opt for a classic look that will last through the years. There will be plenty of opportunity for your teen to decorate the rest of their room, so leave the essentials basic. These are the big-ticket items that will set you back a pretty penny, so you want to ensure they last.
2. Focus on the quilt cover
When it comes to injecting a little personality, the quilt cover is the perfect place to turn to first. Use it to create a color scheme for the room that will flow through the rest of the decor; let them show off their favourite hobbies with a color scheme to match;or you can always choose a plain color with a basic pattern that will complement the rest of their design choices. This will allow them to chop and change other elements of their room down the track, without the need for a new quilt cover at each turn.
3. Create a feature wall
The teen years are all about expression and finding themselves, and a feature wall is the perfect way to encourage this journey. Go bold! Forget the wallpaper that will need to be updated regularly, and instead opt for a bold, painted wall that can be home to wall art, posters, drawings, photos - or anything else your teen desires.
A feature wall can act as their area of expression. Let your teen go crazy, hanging up anything they choose and updating it as regularly as they like. From favourite singers to sports stars, it's a chance for your teen to show off their interests while being easy on the budget. You can even add a chalkboard to the wall, where your teen can keep track of their schedule, homework, add inspirational quotes and more. Creating a space they can update daily with self-expression is the perfect outlet (and will save you from needing to update the room every other week!).
4. Think about relaxation
Let's face it, between school, extra-curriculars, a social life and study, teens also need a chance to simply 'chill out' and enjoy some downtime. Their room is the space for them to escape on their own and do just that.
Encourage this with a hanging chair, lounge, hammock, or some other piece of comfortable furniture that your teen can settle back in with a good book, or some good music. It will instantly transform their room into a retreat and provides more opportunity for personality with some pillows, or a throw blanket that can be updated over time in line with their tastes.
5. Storage, storage, storage
Finally, think about storage. All the storage. Teens come with stuff - and lots of it. The last thing you want is this stuff scattered all over their bedroom floor, making it impossible to walk from one end to the other.
Storage comes in all shapes and forms, from a desk with plenty of drawers, to wardrobe shelves, or even under-the-bed storage. The more options you have, the more likely your teen will actually use them.
At the end of the day, it's your teen's room, so make sure you get their input at every step of the process. While their room needs to be practical and functional, it also needs to reflect their personality and be a place of expression. Show your teen the ways in which they can inject a personal touch, which can be updated as they age to mimic their changing tastes. With a timeless base to the design, your teen will find themselves empowered with free reign when it comes to the ever-changing decor.
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