See them through until they fly the nest
In search of decorating ideas for your teenager's bedroom? Our design tips will help you create an awesome space for your teens to sleep, study and hang out in. Hopefully they'll keep it tidy too...
Add a loft bed
Loft beds are the next stage up from mid-sleepers and are a trendier option for your teenage kids. Finish the look with industrial-style storage and a comfy stone-gray chair. Hooks mounted on the walls will keep floor space tidy, so there's plenty of room to hang out.
Be a superhero
Thanks to a recent bout of comic book movies, 'The Avengers' are a popular theme for teenage bedrooms. Captain America is a particular favourite given his graphic red, white and blue shield. Create a striking wall mural, then pick out the colors with prints and bold soft furnishings.
Do the dorm thing
The less clutter there is, the tidier a room will stay. Choose a dormitory-style metal bed for a smart, streamlined look and complement this with a simple shelf to keep belongings looking neat. Finish up with a naked-bulb pendant light.
Hang about
A bespoke swing bed will make your teenager the envy of their friends. Continue the laid-back theme with calming coral and pastel colors, and nautical prints. The finished look will be fresh and fun. Be sure to seek the advice of a professional tradesperson before building a bed like this.
Get arty
Go graphic with bold block colors and thoughtfully designed furniture. A low, slim bed is contemporary, and ideal for compact spaces, while a popping orange Eames-style chair will pick out the bright bed linen. The chair can double as a funky bedside table too.
Add a place to chill
A teenage bedroom is not complete with out a beanbag to lounge on, and a vivid color will make a statement. Choose an extra-sturdy design that will withstand wear and tear.
Urban things up
A day bed will inject a relaxed feel, and it can double as a sofa for movie nights and video game marathons. Exposed brick walls or brick-effect wallpaper will add a youthful 'clubhouse' character too.
Sugar coat it with color
The mix of pretty muted colors and patterns in this teenage bedroom makes it cozy and bright without looking too childish. Little extras such as modern jewelry drawers, framed postcards and decorative pillows will give it a grown-up yet fun feel.
Get into the swing of things
Another top teen bedroom addition is a fashionable swing chair – a rattan, fringed style gives off a boho vibe. Include a bit of luxe with a metallic rug and matching cushions to connect it all.
Sprinkle a little twinkle
Safe, battery-operated LED fairy lights weaved around a curtain rail or bed frame will add ambiance to your teen's bedroom. Mature white flower designs are dainty and elegant, and go perfectly with most schemes. They won't add much to the electricity bill if they're left on either...
Encourage home working
Study is a vital part of teen life, so it's important to get the workspace right. A full-length desk under a bed allows plenty of room for books, lighting and technology. Then the bed above makes for a comfortable retreat once their homework is completed. A light scheme and artwork complete with inspirational quotes will encourage a working spirit.
Get graphic
A graphic wardrobe is perfect for those who want to release their inner artist. This one has a wipe-clean surface and comes with whiteboard pens that store on the front. A crisp white finish makes it compatible with all schemes and it looks especially hip against block-color walls.
Add inviting texture
Get a feminine vibe with plenty of layers, and warm up a petal-pink backdrop with soft throws and sumptuous mohair cushions. A huge skull print will finish off the dreamy space with a funky twist.
Sharing is caring
When you're a teenager, sharing a bedroom with a sibling can be a tricky business – but there are ways to make any room feel bigger. A smart yet toned-down backdrop enhances the sense of space, while matching bright-pink beds inject an eye-popping burst of color. Choose divan styles with under-bed storage or hide boring boxes behind a pretty valance.
Get set for sleepovers
Trundle beds are a great option for impromptu sleepovers, and they double as a storage solution since you can instantly roll mess out of sight. A cool gray version with matching furniture is smart and timeless. Mount maps on the wall to encourage budding young explorers too.
Stripe it lucky
Monochrome stripes can be a bold choice, but just a few carefully-chosen furnishings, such as a rug or pillow, can make a big impact. A lime-green accent looks great too. If you only pick a few statement pieces, you're covered should your teen wish to freshen things up in the future.
Fit in a four-poster
If you've got the room, a four-poster bed can turn a typical teenage bedroom into an elegant adolescent abode. The minimalist pine here is modern and fresh, and blends perfectly with the muted colors of this calming scheme.
Work in a theme
Teenagers usually have a 'thing' that they're into, and working it into their bedroom scheme is a surefire way to gain their approval. Whether it's sports, art or travel they've a passion for, there are plenty of ways to create a themed look. This pale-blue bedroom has become a surfer's paradise with an illustrative headboard, decorative plaques and surf-themed bed linen.
Use pro paint effects
Pack a punch with brave painted designs around the room. This room is transformed with a flash of mustard, painted diagonally on the wall, then cleverly continued across the floor. It not only looks impressive, but it zones off a seating area at the same time.
Remember details matter
Wall stickers are a fabulous way of letting teenagers express themselves without the cost and hassle of changing wallpaper. Give rooms a true makeover with little gold lips that are seriously chic.
Paint a blackboard wall
A blackboard wall makes an exciting alternative to a run-of-the-mill memo board and is a fantastic large-scale study aid for revision notes. Use it as the key to a scheme by choosing black and white accessories for the rest of room. If giving up a whole wall scares you a little, try painting only a section or even the back of the door.
Don't hide things away
Teenagers love trinkets and treasures so display an eclectic mix of fun, bright accessories with stylish storage. Tie all the mementoes together with a refreshing botanical scheme.
Dress the walls
Make the walls the main event with a display of colorful art and more. A map of the world is always a crowd-pleaser and it works as a great starting point for other framed favorites, such as meaningful quotes, lyrics, postcards or even concert tickets saved as souvenirs.
Make use of small spaces
You don't need a huge room – or a huge budget – to get creative. Simple furniture and bright touches can create a cool look. This compact teenage bedroom has been given a twist with the clever use of color and materials. Raw mounted plywood and MDF wood create a space-saving shelving unit and clean white furniture stands out against the blue bed linen and red accessories.
Mirrors are a 'must have'
If your teenager is obsessed with being selfie-ready, a mirror should be a vital part of their bedroom. You can create features with various shapes – hand-mirrors mounted on the wall will add a touch of glamor.
Style the slumber
The National Sleep Foundation reports that most teens do not get enough sleep. To help them to get their heads down, create a sanctuary for them to sleep in. An inviting double bed with cool, cotton bedding will encourage your teens to get an early night. Just make sure they don't stay there the whole next day too...
Design a games den
Video gaming is often a teenager's favorite pastime, so create a chill-out room that's made for the action. Metal trunks will keep games tidy and an industrial lamp will light up the screen.
Make fashion a feature
Future stylists need a place to work, and mannequins and mirrored furniture will keep fashionistas happy. A scheme of pretty pink and monochrome looks effortlessly à la mode.
