Ways to Decorate a Teenager's Bedroom

Themed Rooms

• The themed bedroom is probably the one most likely to make your teen almost smile. In a themed room, the decorator chooses one or two ideas and builds the room's decor around it. Ideas for a themed room include music, movies or even travel. Build upon her interests and incorporate the things she loves -- If she wants to go to Paris, bring in an artist to paint a mural of the Eiffel tower or apply a vinyl mural yourself. Stack vintage trunks and suitcases in a corner for storage. Plaster them all over with stickers from Paris attractions. If your teenage son is consumed with dreams of being a rock star. Store his guitars right up there on the wall as decor.

Rooms Decorated by Style

• Consider your teen's personality as you select a design style for her bedroom. If she enjoys being pampered and loves fluffy pillows and lace, you might lean toward a shabby chic style that incorporates a canopy bed, draped in white cotton linens with ice-pink pillows and a lacy bed skirt. If she is an ultra-modern diva-in-the-making, drop in a platform bed, floating nightstands and a few colorful oversized floor pillows. If your teen has tastes that run the gamut from athletic to academic, consider decorating her room in an eclectic combination that incorporates open shelving for trophy display, innovative book storage and a few cozy spots for curling up with a favorite book -- beanbag chairs or a lounge. Drop in a workspace with good lighting for those late-night cram sessions.

Rooms Decorated by Color

• It is no secret that room colors evoke moods. Use them effectively to create a cozy, peaceful haven for your teen. Earth tones work in rooms for both boys and girls. If you have a budding forest ranger or environmentalist living in your home, consider decorating his room in muted green and tan with a few pops of chocolate brown and yellow tossed in for interest. Bring in a few natural elements such as a bedside rug made from jute and an accent wall covered in stone- or brick-patterned wallpaper. Opt for bamboo shades in place of traditional curtains. Or, If your teen lives on the cutting edge, go for a dramatic black and white color palette and soften it gently with muted shades of gray, lavender and teal.

Teen-Decorated Rooms

• If all else fails and you are simply at a loss to create a bedroom your teenager will love, give him the reins and provide the funding and the transportation to and from the stores of his choice. You might be surprised at what he finds truly vital in a personal space. It is a given you will find yourself shopping for storage options for video games, books and magazines, but storage is a good thing and it will help to keep his floors and bed free of clutter. Give him a little gentle guidance by leading him to the paint-chip section, and then stand back and see what he comes up with. His decorating talents just may surprise you.