Teen Lounge Ideas for Decorating a Room

Selecting Colors

• Put color on the walls that creates the type of atmosphere you want the lounge to have. For a general place to hang out and socialize, bold colors are stimulating and energizing. Use colors like turquoise, lime green or hot pink. Don't be afraid to combine bold colors and patterns.

  If you're afraid the room is going to be too wild with strong colors, add black. Black visually anchors or stabilizes a room. Its darkness carries a visual weight that draws the eye. It's so bold that it neutralizes other over-the-top color choices, but at the same time it complements them so they stand out.

Furnishings

• Teens don't take the word "lounge" lightly. When teens lounge, they let their hair down and put their feet up. Big, comfortable furniture is a must. A sofa or love seat should be well padded with lots of cushions. Also, consider bean-bag chairs, video-game chairs or novelty inflatable furniture. Sturdy tables give teens a place to put up those feet, and also provide a place for activities such as cards, board games, snacks and homework.

  If the lounge includes a lot of media, sturdy wall units or book cases will provide room enough to organize a television, video-game systems, CDs, DVDs or books.

Floors

• If you have a hard floor, such as tile or wood, soften it with a rug featuring whimsical prints. The rug should pick up some of the color choices from the rest of the room or incorporate a little black to help achieve that grounding effect. If you already have a rug or carpeting, consider layering it with other smaller throw rugs. Implementing rugs is an excellent way to define seating or activity areas in a large, multipurpose lounge. Layering rugs over each other or over carpeting creates a soft, lush and comfortable place to relax.

Walls

• Don't leave walls bare. Use them for inspiration. Hang posters of sports heroes or musicians with positive messages that speak to teens. Combine this with some modern art or stencil inspirational quotes onto walls. Since self-expression is so important to teens, provide them with a place to express themselves. One option is a graffiti wall made with chalkboard paint. Alternately, hang huge dry-erase boards or cork boards. Keep supplies on hand so they feel encouraged to use self-expression walls as often as desired.

Windows

• If your lounge has windows, consider the desired mood you want to capture. A dark and cavernous-type room with lots of privacy where teens can feel cut off from the outside for a little while will benefit from heavy lined window treatments that fully cover windows. If you want to keep the room upbeat, open and full of natural light, you might opt for shades or blinds that easily open and close. Alternately, apply frosted-glass contact paper to the windows to provide privacy and shield outside distractions, without blocking light.