Designing a Boys’ Teen Bedroom

Sometimes it takes a middle school dance to really knock some sense into you. Last week my oldest son invited me to his Valentine’s Day dance and walking into the gym, I gotta tell ya, the B.O. and anxiety took me back about 25 years in a hurry. It was a painful experience even though I remember actually liking middle school. After the cookies were eaten and the fancy dancing was over I came home to his room that looks like a yard sale. And not the good kind. Like if I wanted to be a foster parent I’m pretty sure the state would turn me down. He is still using his original changing table/dresser, train bedding from his toddler bed, furniture from a rental and other stuff that just doesn’t work anymore- especially for a teenager. It is time to create a space fitting for a teen bedroom.

I don’t like kids growing up, Peter Pan and I would be great friends. Here’s a pic of his bed. I promise this is not staged! Ha!:

Not very teen-agey. I feel bad for him. So, the planning has begun. Whenever I plan kids’ rooms and I’ve done a few, like the train room, board and batten, and the treehouse. I have overall objectives I’m reaching for, and (gasp) design is not at the top.

1. Kids are happy (for my kids this means some input)
2. A space for them to READ (like this one!)
3. Space for them to dream and play
4. The room reflects their personality, which is not always high design!

The plan for the new room is gonna take a lot of effort but my son and I are doing it together. We have pinned several ideas.

Color scheme, “In the Navy” and “Dill” from the Pottery Barn Teen Collection at Sherwin Williams (click here for a coupon):

Mural, found on Little Lady Little City:

Personality pick (trying to find the original, this is what’s floating around pinterest):

Add some lighting for reading like the one from this etsy shop:

Also, his little bro is joining him in his room, so I’m now planning for two. We’ve begun painting and will be working on this for a while, I hope you stick around to see how it all turns out!

Happy Creating!