Ideas for Remodeling a Teenager's Room

Update the Walls

• Take down any childish decals, wallpaper or border. Chances are, your teen has a favorite color choice in mind for his new walls. If you're afraid to paint walls in a bright, solid color; there are plenty of ways to compromise. Paint one wall in a bold hue and leave the others a neutral shade. You can also paint the lower half of the walls in a bold color, add a small piece of chair rail trim to divide the halves, then paint the upper half in a complementing neutral color or lighter version of the bold choice. If you're not interested in a colorful paint job, freshen up walls with off-white paint and add removable decal accents for a fun touch. Home decorating stores sell the decals in dots, stripes and other patterns. They're easy to apply and remove.

Furniture Makeover

• Update your teen's furnishings for maximum storage space and a room that's more suited to teenage needs. Replace a small table nightstand with a shiny metal filing cabinet. The utilitarian look is ideal for a boy's room and the drawers provide extra storage. Repaint dressers or beds in a color that complements your newly decorated walls. Simply sand down old furniture and repaint for a new look. You can go less dramatic by simply painting accents, like drawers or trim. Upholster the lid of an old toy box with a bright fabric, and paint the rest for a sitting area with storage space. Add a border of shelves 2 to 3 feet from the ceiling so teens can display treasured items or pictures all the way around the room. Modernize an old desk with a bright coat of paint for a computer-friendly workspace. Add a few shelves above the desk for storage.

Little Things Make a Big Impact

• Look around the room. Accessories like a full-length mirror or boring picture frames can be spray painted in colors that accentuate the new room's decor. Old throw pillows can be recovered in a variety of funky patterned fabrics. Add a large message board or arrange several on a wall so teens can write notes and pin up their favorite pictures easily. Corkboards can be spray painted or covered in fabric for a personalized touch.