It can be both an exciting and challenging task to design a bedroom for your teenager. They’re at an age where their style has begun to emerge, and their needs are rapidly evolving. Therefore, their room needs to be the perfect blend of style and functionality; catering towards their growing demands from studying to relaxing and entertaining friends.
Understanding Your Teen’s Style
The first step in designing a teenager’s room is understanding their style. Unlike younger children, teens often have a more defined sense of personal taste. You’ll want to sit down with your teenager and discuss their preferences. Are they into modern minimalist designs or do they prefer something more eclectic and colourful? Do they have a favourite colour scheme or a specific theme in mind?
By involving them in the decision-making process, you ensure that the final design reflects their personality. Making them feel more invested in their space.
Functional Layout
A teenager’s room needs to serve multiple purposes; from studying and sleeping to socialising and relaxing. Creating a functional layout is crucial to making the most of the space available.
Zoning: Divide the room into distinct ones for different activities. For example, choose an area for studying with a desk and comfort chair, a cosy corner for relaxing with a bean bag or a small sofa and a space for socialising with friends.
Maximising Storage: Teenagers tend to have a lot of stuff. Whether it’s shoes and clothes or books and gadgets. Meaning it’s important to incorporate plenty of storage solutions to keep the room tidy. Consider built-in wardrobes, under-bed storage, shelves and multi-functional furniture like ottomans or benches with hidden storage.
Flexible Furniture: Choose pieces that can adapt to your teenager’s everchanging needs. For example, a loft bed can free up floor space for a desk or a seating area underneath. A modular shelving unit can also be reconfigured as their storage needs evolve.
Functional Flooring
You should also think about your flooring options. This is essential in creating a stylish and functional teen room.
Solid wood flooring is a timeless classic that can suit a variety of design styles from modern to rustic. It’s durable and capable of withstanding an active room, making it a great long-term investment. However, it can be expensive and may require periodic upkeep like refinishing.
Laminate flooring as well as luxury vinyl tiles can mimic the look of natural materials such as wood and stone. They’re budget-friendly options that are easy to clean and quite durable. While LVT may be the most durable of the two, they’re both prone to wear over time and can be damaged by water, laminate more so.
Carpet is perhaps the most common material for bedroom floors. It provides a soft surface for walking and sitting, which can be particularly appealing for teenagers. However, carpet is easily stained and requires regular vacuuming.
Personal Touches
Adding personal touches is essential to making the room feel like a true reflection of your teenager’s personality. You can do this by letting your teenager choose artwork, posters or photos they love. Creating a gallery wall to display them, which can easily be updated as their tastes change too.
Encourage your teen to get involved in some DIY projects for their room. This could be anything from painting a feature wall to creating custom throw pillows or a bulletin board. If your teen has a hobby or a particular interest, incorporate it into the room’s design. For instance, if they love music, you could dedicate a corner for a guitar stand and sheet music storage. If they’re into sports, display their equipment or memorabilia.
Colour and Lighting
You need to choose a colour scheme that resonates with your teenager. While bright and bold colours can be fun, they might not be the best choice for study areas. Consider using a neutral base with pops of colour through accessories like cushions, rugs and curtains. This approach allows for easy updates as your teenager’s tastes change.
Good lighting is essential for a teenager’s room too. Ensure there are several types of lighting for different tasks. A combination of ambient lighting (overhead lights), task lighting (desk lamps) and accent lighting (fairy lights or LED stripes) can create a versatile and comfortable environment. Make sure the study area is well-lit to avoid eye strain!
Comfort and Practicality
Comfort and practicality should be at the forefront of your design decisions.
You’ll want to invest in a good quality mattress and bedding to ensure a comfortable night’s sleep. Teenagers need plenty of rest and a cosy bed can make all the difference! Provide a variety of seating options for different activities too. Think about a desk chair for studying, a comfortable armchair or a bean bag for reading and perhaps a few floor cushions for when friends come over.
Don’t forget to choose durable materials and furniture that can withstand the wear and tear of teenage life. Look for sturdy furniture, easy to clean fabrics and robust storage solutions.
Study Space
A dedicated study space is crucial for a teenager’s room.
Ensure the desk and chair are ergonomically designed, providing good posture and comfort during long study sessions. It’s important to keep the area organised with drawers, shelves and desk organisers. A clutter-free workspace can enhance concentration and productivity. You’ll also want to ensure that the study area is tech-friendly. Ensuring there are plenty of power outlets for charging devices and good Wi-Fi connectivity.
