DESIGN HANDBOOK
All my fellow parents have surely heard the saying “small kids, small problems; big kids big problems”–and while it may be true for some aspects of parenting, it actually doesn’t have to be when it comes to design and decor for your teen’s bedroom!
As kids get older, it’s only natural that they want to have more control over their the look and feel of their space, not to mention the fact that their furniture needs are changing as they grow as well. If you’re struggling with the decor and interior design choices as your child transitions their bedroom from kid’s space to a teenager’s space, we’ve got you covered with some easy tips to help make the process actually fun for everyone involved!
Read on for four chic and easy way to help upgrade your teen’s bedroom decor (in a way that you’ll love as much as they do), and do’t forget to check out Kathy Kuo Home’s curated collection of teen furniture!
Designer Furniture, Lighting & Decor From Kathy Kuo Home
Your teenager may have grand ideas of fully overhauling their room and making it feel like a completely new space–of course, this isn’t always practical. The good news is, simple changes in color and texture throughout the room can actually go a long way in setting a whole new tone.
Sit down with your teen and suggest painting the walls. As long as they’re up for helping with the project, they get to choose whatever color they want. If a full-room paint job seems too daunting, settle on one wall as an accent wall. And when you’re finished, encourage your son or daughter to pick out wall art that pops on their new wall color and represents their passions and interests. Movie and music posters, geometric patterns with inspirational sayings, and prints of art and photography all work well and are easy to frame and hang.
When it comes to setting a new vibe with texture, look into picking out new bedding, stocking up on textured pillows and blankets, and investing it some fluffy throw rugs and poufs or beanbag chairs. New textures add coziness and a sense of luxury, and teens are sure to enjoy the novelty.
As you work with your teenager to update their space, encourage them to let their personality shine through. This is their space and it should feel like an expression of the person they’re becoming. If you can be encouraging of their personal aesthetic choices from the get-go, it will be easier to steer them away from mismatched furniture and pieces that are completely out of left field or out of your budget (as a parent, it is your duty to veto the suggestion of a water bed).
The best way to let their personality come through is in decor pieces like wall art, bedding, lighting, and shelf decor. Suggest compromises; for example: they need to settle on a practical bed and desk, but they can choose a statement-making light fixture and area rug. They need a sturdy and spacious bookcase, but they can pick out some new books and funky sculptures to fill it with.
At the end of the day, let them know that you are on their side and want them to love the look and feel of the room–the practical constraints and the budget concerns are things you have to work through together so that they can get to the fun stuff of picking out decor that they love!
One true fact about every teenager–they have a way of acquiring a lot of stuff. One day you’re tidying up their playroom and just trying to keep all the toys in the correct bin–and the next day somehow they have seemingly several tons worth of lacrosse equipment, AP text books, hair clips, novelty phone cases, scrap booking supplies, and video game consoles. The solution? Storage–but make it stylish.
Investing in teen-friendly storage furniture is a must because it not only literally provides a place for all that stuff to go, but it helps keep your teen responsible for keeping their room clean and organized. It’s a lot easier to hold them to a standard of cleanliness if you first take them shopping for a super cool bookcase, dresser, desk, or set of storage baskets that reflect their evolving decor tastes.
You’ll definitely want a high-quality and spacious dresser and bookcase, and if space allows, consider a set of teen-friendly nightstands, wall shelves, and baskets or bins that can live in the closet or under the bed if needed.
Finally, make sure that your teen’s room has a designated space for studying and school work. Once your child is in high school, their school workload is sure to ramp up and a comfortable and well-organized desk is essential for academic success.
Make sure that you upgrade from a child-size desk and desk chair to one appropriate to your teen’s size. The desk should have ample drawer space for their school supplies, computer chargers, and notebooks, and the chair should be comfortable enough to sit in for long periods of time. Once you square away a desk and seating, ask your teen to pick out desk accoutrements that they love–think task lamps, a clock, bookends, a calendar or cork board for the wall, and cute desk organizers.
Again, these smaller pieces go a long way in setting the tone for the space and tend to be on the lower end of the price spectrum–your teen will love shopping for these pieces and using them as touch-points to express their personality.
Need design help? In addition to being a source for beautiful high quality furnishings and decor, Kathy Kuo Home has a team of professional interior designers that are ready to assist with all of your interior design needs. Our services provide multiple layout and design options that fit your style and budget for any room. You will work with a team of designers and project managers to help you truly love where you live.
Call (888) 908-3486 or email designs@kathykuohome.com today to get started!
Need design help? In addition to being a source for beautiful high quality furnishings and decor, Kathy Kuo Home has a team of professional interior designers that are ready to assist with all of your interior design needs. Our services provide multiple layout and design options that fit your style and budget for any room. You will work with a team of designers and project managers to help you truly love where you live.
Call (888) 908-3486 or email designs@kathykuohome.com today to get started!
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