Help Your Teen Take Their Room From Childish to Contemporary

Is your teen ready to trade their cute kids' bedroom for a luxuriously stylish, and more mature, upgrade? Gone are the days when cartoon characters dominated your kiddo's room decor. Now that your child is a young adult, they want a room with a sophisticated style. If you're not sure where to start, take a look at how to choose new furniture and redecorate your teen's bedroom. 

Should You Remove Everything and Start Fresh?

The answer to this question depends on the redecoration project and the depth of the renovation. If you simply want to refresh your teen's room, you may not need to remove every piece of furniture or accent. Instead, you can swap some of the items for new, more sophisticated options and keep the rest. But if you plan a total redo, you may need to start from scratch. This means removing everything from the bed and dresser to the carpet and curtains.

Who Should Design or Plan the Room?

Use a collaborative approach to design your teen's new bedroom. Now that your child is almost a young adult, they have developed their own personal styles, have their own preferences, and are ready to assert their independence.

Even though you may have experience designing home spaces or have an idea in mind, your tastes may not match your teen's style. A decor conflict can quickly escalate and turn into a major family disagreement.

Don't push or force your style on your teen. If you feel their ideas are over-the-top or unreasonable, work with them to create a special space that combines form and function. If your teen refuses to listen to your ideas, and you aren't sold on their decor plans, bring in a third party. A professional design consultant has the knowledge and experience to work with your family and help your teen to plan the room of their dreams. 

What Type of Furniture Should You Choose?

There is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question. Before you select styles, colors, and sizes, think about which pieces your teen really needs. Again, a total room redo will require you to start fresh. Your teen will need a new mattress, bed frame, dresser, desk, bedside tables, and possibly more. 

As you select pieces based on your teen's style choices, your input, and possibly guidance from a design consultant, consider:

• Your teen's next steps. How long will your teen use this furniture — and will they need it in the future? If your teen might take some of the pieces to college or use them in a post-college apartment, explore neutral options that can transition with them.
• Your next steps. What will happen to your teen's room when they go to college or move out? Will it become a guest room or your home office? If you will use the room for something else, choose pieces that will fit the progression of the space.
• The functional issues. Your teen's main concern may be style. But they will do more than just look at their room. Choose furniture that makes a statement and is also functional. Along with decor, plan for storage and work spaces.
• Decor trends. While a trendy type of decor may have the upgraded aesthetic your teen wants right now, some of these items may look out of place in a few years. Balance classic staples with trend-setting options to reduce the need for a premature makeover.

Teen bedroom furniture should include quality pieces that will last for more than just the high school years — especially if your teen plans to use the furniture in their first apartment or you will continue to use it. Select well-made items that are just as sturdy as they are stylish. 

Do you want to learn more about decor options for your teen's bedroom? Contact Matthews Furniture + Design for more information.