If you’ve ever been perplexed at how to decorate bedrooms for kids that will last them through to adolescence, then you’ve landed on the right page. Discover how to transform any room into a dreamy teenage retreat.
Bedroom ideas for teenagers
Be inspired by these bedroom ideas for teenagers, which will soon have them personalizing their own spaces with artwork, photos and interesting prints.
1. Add depth with pattern
Playing with scale is a striking way to add depth to a room scheme, especially when looking for small bedroom ideas. Here, two different sized prints from the same collection have been used on the divan and headboard, giving a sense of unity. Pair with soft, washed linen for an inviting finishing touch. The pastel hues and freshly cut flowers in this scheme are the perfect finishing touch for any girls’ bedroom decor.
2. Decorate with yellow to warm up a north-facing room
‘Yellow can make a great color for a teen girl’s bedroom, especially a warm sunshine shade like Beehive Place™ No. 140,’ says Dominic Mylands, CEO of Mylands (opens in new tab). ‘It’s bold enough to make a statement, yet its warmth and subtlety creates a cozy space that’s perfect for relaxing in. It is grown up and youthful at the same time, a great choice for teenage years.’
3. Introduce a carnival of color in a teen bedroom
No bedroom ideas for teenagers are complete without a riot of color and pattern. Introducing some fun elements into a simple scheme will ring the changes. Evoke the exuberant style of Latin America with vivid shades and bold pattern for a bedroom scheme with sunny appeal that will work just as well in bedroom ideas for boys or girls.
4. Embrace the colors found in nature
‘When designing bedrooms for children and teenagers, we often develop a timeless scheme that will grow with the room’s occupants,’ says Clara Ewart, head of design at Kitesgrove (opens in new tab). ‘For this bedroom, we chose a calming and welcoming green which could be equally loved by a young child, a teenage girl or boy, or indeed an adult. It feels fresh yet grown up, and offsets other colors beautifully.’ Green room ideas promise to renew your connection to nature and is said to evoke feelings of balance. It comes to life with plenty of natural light but can also work in a dark narrow space. Decorating with green can allow for you to get back to nature with a fresh palette.
5. Choose a focal wallpaper
‘My best advice for a teen girl room is to keep their needs at the forefront of the design,’ says Leslie Murphy, owner and creative director of Murphy Maude Interiors (opens in new tab). ‘Choose furniture with simple and classic silhouettes that have more longevity as they continue to grow. To add personality, I like to get creative with the walls – in this case we did a custom wallpaper from our textiles line Mable Originals’ (opens in new tab).
6. Pick a pretty botanical wallpaper
‘Avoid the usual tropes of teenage bedroom decorating and consider wallpaper –something gentle and not overtly demanding with a small print and restful palette will do the trick,’ says Patrick O’Donnell, brand ambassador at Farrow & Ball (opens in new tab). ‘Small print papers, especially those on the neutral side, will add texture and warmth without dominating a room and even forgive the addition of a white tacked poster or two.’
7. Be playful with animal prints
Layering animal prints with equally graphic florals and stripes in a standout monochrome palette creates a stylish designer look. Used in moderation, animal motifs add a touch of exotic sophistication to any bedroom ideas for teenagers. Rather than going wild, introduce focused hits of pattern through soft furnishings or bedroom wallpaper ideas and you might be surprised to find that a leopard really can change its spots.
8. Take inspiration from global influences
Embrace your inner nomad with a considered mix of Eastern, African and South American patterns with natural materials, rich textures and bold hues for an elegant, world look. An oversized headboard is a stunning way to make the most of an exquisite fabric. Here, it creates a striking focal point against deep blue walls, while an Indian Kantha quilt adds another layer of interest to the inviting mix of textiles on the bed.
9. Pretty up with a summer palette
Indulge in soft, pastel shades, fine textiles and pretty accessories to ensure your small bedroom ideas for kids have the feel of an inviting sanctuary with an elegant vibe. An upholstered headboard with contrasting buttoning makes a striking focal point, and adds a touch of grown-up glamor to this bedroom.
10. Opt for artistic elements
If you are after bedroom ideas for teenagers that are adult-worthy, then this is the style for you. A teen bedroom is the perfect place to push the boundaries on style. Celebrate the exuberant charm of murals and statement wall decor for bedrooms, from fantastical scenes and stylised inky imagery to fine architectural drawings. With a palette of sea green and deep blue, the playful jungle design sets the scene for this relaxed interior, where a mix of pattern and rich hues bring further vibrancy.
11. Create a simple Scandi scheme in a teen bedroom
A Scandi, minimalist style is a popular trend, alongside natural wood and brilliant whites. It’s a clean, smart and versatile look that fits in well with other room schemes and can grow with your family. Try starting with a neutral palette, such as white or gray, and then accessorising with bedding, toys and prints for a scheme that is easily adaptable if you are looking for shared bedroom ideas.
12. Add a quirky feature
Use maps to add the spirit of adventure to bedroom ideas for teens. Maps and charts are great to work with as a decorating device. Detailed, intriguing and perfect for adding a bit of color and pattern, they draw the eye and add interest without being overly-dominant. And there are designs to suit every scheme.
13. Use art to add interest
Eschew wallpaper and plain kids’ room paint ideas for something truly bespoke that will resonate with your teenager. Here, a graffiti artist was commissioned to create this colorful and creative work of art behind the bed. It only takes one wall to give a room the wow factor. Generally your bedroom accent wall will be the one you see first when entering a room, but you could choose one behind a key piece of furniture such as behind the bed or desk area.
14. Pack a punch with pattern
Decorating motifs in colorful patterns add instant character to bedroom ideas for teenagers. Perhaps one of the easiest ways to add pattern and color, and one that is simple to update, is to use wallpaper and fabric. However, if you are after something more changeable season after season, even small touches of pattern and color such as bedding, curtains and lampshades can be enough to inject winning personality to the space.
15. Introduce house plants to a teen bedroom
Choose the right plant for the right situation and green fingers are an optional extra when it comes to adorning a teenager’s bedroom with living plants. House plants have had something of a revival of late, and they will also give your teenager something to look after – besides that puppy or kitten they keep asking for. Line up trailing plants on shelves, put ferns in pockets against a white wall or gather a variety of cacti together in an eye-catching arrangement on a side table - great also for dorm room ideas.
16. Pretty up with purple
While purple may have fallen out of favor in recent years, it is now having something of a resurgence, and it is easy to see why. Associated with royalty, prestige and luxury, purple is finding its feet as a natural partner for ever-popular shades of blue, pink and white. Add touches of brushed metal or glass accents, and you’ll really bring this daring color to life.
17. Create a cozy homework corner
With a comfortable desk and chair, and few decorative touches, you can carve out a corner that’s dedicated to homework but still feels inviting. ‘Neutral colored furniture will stand the test of time as teen trends come and go, while creative touches like handmade bunting and a memo board can be easily personalized and updated,’ says George Miller, home designer at Neptune (opens in new tab).
18. Install bespoke storage solutions
‘Today’s ever-changing teenager needs a bedroom that equally responds to their evolving life as they grow,’ explains Caroline Milns, head of interior design at Zulufish (opens in new tab). ‘Bespoke storage offers a multitude of options and creating a wall-to-wall framework is often the most efficient use of space. It also offers greater flexibility, combining open shelving to display favorite toys and books, with the addition of cupboards with doors, for those same toys to be hidden away in later years. A desk area is an essential, incorporating it within storage will free up the remainder of the room, as well as allow for cabling and wiring to be hidden from view. It can also create a space to have fun and bring in a sense of personality with a patterned wallpaper or pinboard for photos and memories.’
19. Add a color to the bottom half of the wardrobe
Creative color choices are a wonderful way to add unique personality to a bedroom, and no more so than in child’s room. ‘Here we painted the walls in this bedroom a crisp white, and the bottom third with a dusty plaster pink, which together create the illusion of higher ceilings and cocooning feeling around the room,’ says Katie Lion, senior interior designer at Kitesgrove (opens in new tab). ‘Color can transform a space and here the overall atmosphere of the bedroom is calm, comfortable and inviting.’.
20. Use color blocking for a bold look
‘In order to avoid a look aging quickly as your teen grows up, ensure you consider a scheme that offers longevity and can be easily updated with new accessories or furniture. It doesn’t mean you have to avoid a bright bold color. ‘Consider color blocking to create different zones in the room while also adding a fun pattern to the room,’ advises Helen Shaw, UK Director at Benjamin Moore (opens in new tab).
How can a teenager decorate their room?
The key is to introduce practical and accessible bedroom storage ideas, colorful accents, and one or two striking elements for a look that can evolve as your teenager grows and their tastes inevitably change. While bedroom ideas for teenagers need to be flexible to accommodate their changing needs, certain investment items won’t change, such as beds and wardrobes, so make sure they will stand the test of time. Quirky and colorful touches and patterns can then be added through fabric, artwork and accessories that reflect your teen’s personality.
How can I make my teenage bedroom look good?
The zeitgeist is to avoid trends – instead embrace your teen’s passions and interests. Don’t forget to allow for plenty of free floor space to help keep the scheme clutter free. The key to creating successful bedroom ideas for teenagers is talking to your teen about their ideal room. Listen to their ideas about color and style and come to a sensible compromise so they feel excited and involved in the design process. For some further inspiration on certain products and designs to include, explore our what are good things to have in a dorm room guide.
