1Dedicate a Wall to Schoolwork
Cati TeagueWhat's better than a desk? A whole wall dedicated to storing her school supplies. If you don't have enough room in the house to fully separate school from life, make sure your teenager has a space solely for homework and studying that she can leave behind when she's finished for the day. Interior designer Gina Sims added a much-needed element of fun to this homework-centric built-in with a coat of vibrant green Sherwin-Williams Inland paint.
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2Install Feminine Sconces
Cati TeagueIf you look closely, you'll see clear butterflies flitting across these otherwise simple sconces—what a perfect way to add a touch of femininity to your teen's room! They're from the same Gina Sims project as the gorgeous green desk above. They're a great transitional element for a tween's room as she moves closer to the age where she'll want more "grown-up" decor.
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3Hang Woodland Wallpaper
Joe SchmelzerUsing wallpaper for an accent wall is a great idea, and if your teen girl is an animal lover, choose a print featuring a few of her faves. In this room by CuffHome, the dark background has a nice moodiness that balances the pastel colors of the bedding, nightstand.
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4Choose an Unconventional Headboard
Read McKendreeIn Colleen Bashaw's daughter's room, a framed elephant textile hangs behind the more traditional and feminine four-poster bed, instantly shifting it in a more eclectic and mature direction. To give your teen girl's bedroom a quick tune-up, find a textile she loves (or blow up a print), and hang it at center stage behind her bed.
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5Embrace Circus Tent Chic
Read McKendreeIn case you haven't gotten the memo yet: Painted ceilings are the new accent walls. Coat your teen's ceiling in a wide stripe pattern for that fun, summery circus tent chic look. It's whimsical but also very beachy, a fact that Colleen Bashaw embraced here by choosing rattan accents and other vibrant accessories.
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6Accessorize With Natural Textures
Read McKendreeBalance a room that feels a little too soft with rough-textured accessories, like this rattan table lamp. The plush headboard, scalloped pillowcases, and pastel blue wall could skew babyish, but the brown lamp (with the same scallop) and vintage art Lilse McKenna added to the mix bring much-needed visual weight.
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7Balance Sophistication and Youthfulness
Rikki SnyderGive a girlish room an air of sophistication by combining youthful patterns (like this Liberty print fabric) with more mature choices (like the solid, textured wallcovering and graffiti-style art). Next Wave Class of 2022 designer Hilary Matt wanted something "sweet but not babyish" for this teen girl bedroom. We think it's safe to say that she succeeded.
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8Highlight Her Art
Shade DeggesIn this teen girl's office by Jeremiah Brent, her own drawings decorate the wall. Sculptural furnishings like the Light Cookie chandelier, Eternity Modern sofa, and Urban Outfitters floor lamp complete the creative and sophisticated vibe.
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9Install Built-In Bookshelves
Rikki SnyderIf your teen girl's bedroom is lacking in closet space—or doesn't have a closet at all—install a built-in that doubles as clothing storage and a mini desk. This burl wood wall unit designed by Matt also introduces an interesting pattern to the room.
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10Use Mature Colors
SUZANNA SCOTTNot all teen girls want pinks, purples, and pastels—some prefer a darker, moodier palette. So why not give them one? Don't worry: If you don't like the idea of painting all four walls something dark (in case she changes her mind), show your teen this bedroom by ABD Studio and tell her she can have one dark accent wall and bring in complementary colors through her art and accessories.
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11Lean on Vintage Influences
KIP DAWKINSWhether you're decorating on a budget or your teen simply likes antiques, slowly replace her little-girl decor with vintage pieces, like a wall-mounted mirror or light fixture. (Bonus points if you go treasure hunting together.) Ashley Hanley gave this room character with an intricate mirror and vintage-inspired flush-mount light.
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12Decorate With Macramé
Nickolas SargentMacramé is a beautiful, intricate textile art that looks stunning on a wall, especially if that wall is a dark color and the art is light, like in this room by Betsy Wentz. You can go about macramé one of two ways: You can buy a beautiful wall hanging, or you can learn how to make it yourself. It could even be a fun bonding opportunity for you and your teen.
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13Set Her Up With a Monitor
Sean LitchfieldIf your teen is a big gamer, surprise her with a dual computer monitor setup. Take a cue from Brooklinteriors and make it a whole separate alcove if you can, with fun wallpaper and floating shelves. Even better: It'll double as a homework station!
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14Set Up a Desk Slash Vanity
Allie Provost 15Shop From Women-Owned Businesses
Allie ProvostThe wallpaper in this bedroom is by Lauren Haskell, one of many women-owned businesses Camila Pavone prioritized using in this renovation. Follow in her footsteps and take time with your teen to research women-owned shops to lean on for her room makeover.
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16Paint the Trim
Gordon Gregory PhotographyTo give your teen's room a crisp, elegant feel, paint the ceiling trim and wall in two different, sophisticated colors that coordinate with her bedding. Carleton Varney made this bedroom more interesting still by painting the ceiling and walls in different shades of blue.
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17Embrace a Single Print
Gordon Gregory PhotographyKeep the accents consistent and match the drapes to a piece of furniture in your teen's room, like an armchair or her bed's headboard. It'll most likely require custom upholstery, but it'll look so chic and elegant, just like this Carleton Varney project.
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18Add a Window Bench
Read McKendreeA window bench is such a cute way to add seating in your teen's room for when she has friends over or wants a sunny spot to read. A cushioned window seat is never a bad investment. Plus, you can build extra storage into the base, as Chauncey Boothby did here.
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19Make It a Bunk Room
Read McKendreeIt's possible you have two teen girls in need of a bedroom makeover, in which case you should seriously consider built-in bunk beds. In this small teen girl room, Chauncey Boothby squeezed in an elegant set fitted with a sliding ladder for easy access and inset shelves. (No nightstands necessary.) It's such a clever idea that looks so clean.
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20Paint Furniture Bold Colors
Ben GeboPainting your teen's furniture is a relatively easy way to add more color to her room. Take these dressers from an Elizabeth Georgantas project as a bright, stylish example. Getting out the blue painters tape and doing it yourself will only make the resulting piece—and the project—feel more special and sentimental.
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