Decorating a teenager’s room is not like decorating any other room in the house. A teen’s room should reflect their personality and doesn’t necessarily have to have a unifying element that ties it to the rest of the home. There are also cheap ways to decorate a teenage girl’s bedroom if you spend a few days planning it all out and working out exactly what your teen wants from their personal space.
To help source ideas for a budget-friendly makeover take a look at Pinterest and Instagram for inspiration. There are lots of hacks that can be used no matter whether the bedroom is huge or small. Most girls want their rooms to be cool and comfortable, somewhere to hang out with friends. Our teenagers spend more time in their rooms than ever before therefore we must help create a room that they love.
Teen bedrooms also have to fulfill a number of different duties in a small space, so making wise purchases that will last for several years is important. They will need somewhere to sleep (obvs), somewhere to study plus lots of storage for their belongings.
So how does one find pieces that will last and yet can change with the function and the current trends? I have put together my tips and experiences on cheap ways to decorate a teenage girl’s bedroom to make it easier for everyone!
Social media is a great dictator of trends and looks can change frequently. Keep that in mind as you select furnishings, keep your large pieces as neutral as possible so that they can easily flit from one trend to the next. We opted for neutral light furniture from Ikea as it can easily be painted in the future and it will go with all colour schemes. These Ikea hacks are also brilliant and inventive!
The teen years are a time for experimenting with styles and a bedroom is just the same. What suits one might not suit another. Teens will try different looks as they learn to navigate their individual style. Much like they will change their hair and fashion style they will change their room!
Teen Bedroom Furniture
The real key to decorating a teen’s bedroom is buying timeless furniture. Look for pieces that have clean lines, a simple presentation, and come in a neutral tone or construction. Wood is always a good choice; white and black painted wood usually stands the test of time, and metal can be fairly neutral as well. Sturdiness is also a consideration as the furniture will probably not be treated with the utmost of care. My teen often wants to move things around so go for sturdy moveable pieces!
Multifunction furniture is also a nice concept when designing a teen’s bedroom but don’t opt for versatility over form and function. Think practically when buying multipurpose furniture to ensure that all of its uses will be taken advantage of.
Teen Bedroom Flooring
Teenagers can be messy creatures and often drinks get spilled, makeup marks appear and all manner of things are thrown across the floor. Therefore consider an easy-to-clean floor like engineered wood flooring which is super popular it is a fantastic alternative to solid wood. It has the same high-quality finish and beautiful look as solid wood but is lower maintenance and more durable in the face of moisture or heat.
The benefits are that wooden flooring is easy to maintain. You can then soften the look with a rug if you choose. Again wooden flooring will go with any colour scheme allowing teenagers the freedom to change their style as they get older.
Teen Bedroom Storage
Storage is really important in a teenager’s room. As teenagers, they start trying different things and exploring their personalities a bit more and will begin collecting a variety of items. All of these things need to be stored somewhere.
The standard dresser was a good idea in the past, and it still suffices, but today’s modern bedrooms are more than just a place to sleep. A teen’s bedroom is now their social hub; it’s where they hang out with friends, play computer games, listen to music, and it houses their computer workstation. Rather than take up space with a dresser, consider a bench with storage under it that can also double as a bed for visitors. Buy a desk with as much storage as possible and take advantage of closet space with customized closets.
Good quality TV wall brackets offer a versatile and space-saving solution, especially in a teen girl’s bedroom where maximizing space is essential. These brackets are designed to securely mount the TV to the wall, freeing up valuable floor space for other activities and decor. By elevating the TV, they create a sleek and modern look, perfect for a contemporary bedroom aesthetic. Moreover, adjustable brackets allow for optimal viewing angles, ensuring comfort during binge-watching sessions or gaming marathons. With the flexibility to tilt or swivel the TV as needed, these brackets cater to various activities, from studying to relaxing. Their sturdy construction provides peace of mind, knowing that the TV is safely affixed to the wall, minimizing the risk of accidents. In essence, good quality TV wall brackets offer both functionality and style, making them a practical addition to any teen girl’s bedroom.
Don’t be afraid to look at secondhand, we have picked up many a bargain on Facebook selling pages and marketplace. Teenagers change their minds frequently and therefore it is not always wise to buy new!
Lighting is Important
General lighting, task lighting, and decorative lighting serve not only to make the room look good, but to make it functional. Decorative lighting might be fairy lights Hanging lights can be strung in a variety of ways to enhance the mood of the room and allow a girl to display her own personal sense of style. They will also need a lamp for a desk, especially when studying and soft lighting is always good for setting a mood.
One aspect of lighting that can’t be overlooked is natural light. This is good for maintaining your teenager’s circadian rhythm, helping them to wake up in the morning and sleep at night. Natural light is also beneficial for your mental and physical health as a whole, so encourage your teenager to open their blinds throughout the day. Also, if it’s bright enough, you can save on electricity and turn off the lights.
While natural light is a great thing, you do need to be able to block it out when necessary, especially in a bedroom. Check out a good blinds website to find some blinds that will be both functional and stylish for your teen’s bedroom.
Teen Bedroom Decorative Touches
When the bones are firmly in place, it’s time to add the decorative finishing touches, which are sometimes the most important part. Bedrooms are typically a place to relax, but, as mentioned before, they are more than that for a teen, so bold and vivid colour schemes are welcome.
Remember that painting a wall is rather easy and inexpensive, so letting a teen have control over wall colour is a great idea, especially if they’re willing to do it themselves.
Chloe painted her own wall using inspiration she had seen on social media during lockdown. She painted a geometric wall in grey and cream. She did a great job and we were super impressed. It cost us next to nothing to decorate as we had the paint leftover from other jobs. All we had to buy was the frog tape.
I would also suggest a full length mirror is pretty essential in any teen girl’s bedroom, whether it is for getting dressed, doing their hair or just taking the many selfies that they do!
Choosing Accessories for Cheap Ways to Decorate a Teenage Girls Bedroom
One of the fastest and easiest ways to update a teen’s bedroom is through the bedding and soft furnishings. There are a large number of inexpensive bed in a bag type products on the market that make redecorating regularly a plausible option. Keep additional bedding on hand for guests and remember that throw pillows can double as seating if necessary.
Look at budget shops like Primark who are always bringing out the latest trends in low cost ways. They have bedding sets and when they are that cheap you don’t mind replacing as trends change. My eldest has had all Primark bedding for her room at university. Aldi also often have great sets, Chloe especially loved a faux fur stool and rug in recent range.
Paperchase have great storage solutions for students and we love these desk organisers which come in a few colours. They are great for makeup as well as stationery.
No bedroom is complete without cushions and pillows! My teen has loads and it is great when her girl friends are around and they are hanging out.
Decorating for a teenager comes with several challenges, but it can be equally fun and exciting. It’s also a wonderful time to learn more about the teen by getting them involved in the process and keeping their lifestyle at the forefront of design.
