Bedroom Design: Dream Teen Spaces
When I first started my blogazine, Decor Demon, my traffic would increase at an amazing rate due in part to the diversity of subjects. Then I shot, styled and wrote an article on designer teen rooms. In less than 24 hours, my traffic increased 600 percent.
What is it that's so fun and nostalgic about peering into well-done teen spaces? Hell if I know, I lied a mile a minute, watched The Real World 24/7 and snuck out my window at 11 p.m. to drink super cheap beer with not-so-super teen accomplices. My memories aren't too inspiring. I do know that if any of these tasteful teen spaces below belonged to me circa 1992, I'd not only welcome being grounded, I'd prefer it.
What is it that's so fun and nostalgic about peering into well-done teen spaces? Hell if I know, I lied a mile a minute, watched The Real World 24/7 and snuck out my window at 11 p.m. to drink super cheap beer with not-so-super teen accomplices. My memories aren't too inspiring. I do know that if any of these tasteful teen spaces below belonged to me circa 1992, I'd not only welcome being grounded, I'd prefer it.
Perfect example of a teen room any adult would be content in. Unless that adult hated travel, oceans and land.
A minimalist teenage room— what's not to like? Mid-century furnishings are definitely the way to go for teen boy rooms; they're tailored, sport fun, interesting shapes, and can be used elsewhere when 13-year old Sammy becomes 21-year old Samuel. Something super common, maybe even borderline cliche, when styling interiors is the inclusion of guitars or drums in teen boys' rooms. Well, who cares? Incorporating a classic object such as a guitar is an excellent way to put something a kid loves and uses on display. Something I've done a few times is hang a guitar horizontally above the bed, then frame it out with molding. Not exactly groundbreaking by any means but it's a great way to shed light on a teen's favorite thing. Now, hanging up an X-box, notsomuch.
Again, musical instruments in a teen space totally works.
Motif versus theme, an ongoing obstacle. Notice how this room boasts lots of letters and texture? It works, and it works magically here because it's done in a motif manner with no signs of an in-your-face theme. Repeating a shape, pattern or iconic object throughout a room is a fantastic approach to design; recreating the Amazon with frog covered walls and water feature nighstands is...a DISASTER.
If I were a decorating teacher, I would give the designer of this kidspace an A+. The room is completely functional and great looking without having sacrificed a large, open space.
Wall murals can go awfully wrong. However, it's all about the subject and how it's installed that makes it oh-so-right. The map pictured here turned an otherwise bland wall into a true work of art. Murals Your Way is a great place to find affordable murals that don't look like they were purchased on the side of the road from a van with a missing tag.
Thank you, West Elm, for being an excellent source for affordable, modern furniture great for a teen space. If the kid gets sick of this after a few years, who cares? Pieces like this work in any room.
Dear American interior designer Amy Lau, you are a genius and I love your teen rooms as much as your non-teen rooms. Again, mid-century design is fantastic for teens; it's cool enough for teens and nostalgic enough for moms, dads, grandmoms and granddads. The FL/Y pendant from Kartell is great for teen rooms for many reasons: it's plastic and hard to break, it comes in many colors, it's often under $300.
Minimal? Yes. Boring? No. High-energy colors seen in furniture and accessories are kept in check here with an ultra-white backdrop. The gray-toned wood floors are also a great way to add a younger, fresher look to run-of-the-mill hardwoods. Armstrong is an excellent source for gray-toned tongue-and-groove that stands up to teen foot traffic.
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