How to Help Your Tween Decorate (Without Making Them ROLF)
It doesn't have to be a minefield! Here are some guidelines for helping tweens find their bedroom style
Susannah Hardy
2 May 2017
Houzz Australia Contributor. I am a Sydney based writer and actor with a penchant for home interiors and design.
Houzz Australia Contributor. I am a Sydney based writer and actor with a penchant... More
Do you suddenly have a tween on your hands, no longer a child but not yet a full-blown teenager? Then it might be time to reconsider the look and functionality of their bedroom. In fact, a cool and sophisticated makeover might just be in order. But how do you satisfy developing tastes and create an age-appropriate space that will carry them through to the teen years and beyond?
One thing is certain, your tween will want to help make decisions. According to Andrea Lucenna-Orr, colour planning and communications manager for Dulux, tweens are beginning to know what they like, and don’t always agree with their parents’ suggestions. What’s most important is to “have them involved in the whole process”, she says.
One thing is certain, your tween will want to help make decisions. According to Andrea Lucenna-Orr, colour planning and communications manager for Dulux, tweens are beginning to know what they like, and don’t always agree with their parents’ suggestions. What’s most important is to “have them involved in the whole process”, she says.
Trendy tones
When choosing colour schemes, avoid anything remotely childish. According to Lucenna-Orr, tweens generally prefer a more neutral base, in tones such as white or grey. A strong accent colour can be introduced on a feature wall or contemporary rug.
Think darker charcoals such as Dulux ‘Klavier’, strong blues like Taubmans ‘Brittany Blue’ and Dulux ‘Lobelia’ or a delicious green like Resene ‘Bingo’. Tween girls are particularly drawn to deep purples with stunning options available such as Resene ‘Affair’ or Taubmans ‘True Purple’.
When choosing colour schemes, avoid anything remotely childish. According to Lucenna-Orr, tweens generally prefer a more neutral base, in tones such as white or grey. A strong accent colour can be introduced on a feature wall or contemporary rug.
Think darker charcoals such as Dulux ‘Klavier’, strong blues like Taubmans ‘Brittany Blue’ and Dulux ‘Lobelia’ or a delicious green like Resene ‘Bingo’. Tween girls are particularly drawn to deep purples with stunning options available such as Resene ‘Affair’ or Taubmans ‘True Purple’.
Hang it up
Tweens generally like to express their personality and interests through artwork. “They get more colour out of that sort of thing as well,” Lucenna-Orr says. Consider vintage movie posters, sporting images, favourite characters, world cities, even their own school art project.
Perhaps you can visit an art gallery so your tween can choose their favourite print from the gift shop to have framed for a birthday present. Or, find a local up-and-coming artist for an affordable piece of original art.
Stylish ways to display your children’s art
Tweens generally like to express their personality and interests through artwork. “They get more colour out of that sort of thing as well,” Lucenna-Orr says. Consider vintage movie posters, sporting images, favourite characters, world cities, even their own school art project.
Perhaps you can visit an art gallery so your tween can choose their favourite print from the gift shop to have framed for a birthday present. Or, find a local up-and-coming artist for an affordable piece of original art.
Stylish ways to display your children’s art
Standout walls
Wallpapered feature walls make a stylish statement, particularly if your tween wants to recreate a certain image such as this awesome map of the world. Plus, with so many stunning removable wallpapers available, a papered feature is a hassle-free option that can be easily altered later on.
Wallpapered feature walls make a stylish statement, particularly if your tween wants to recreate a certain image such as this awesome map of the world. Plus, with so many stunning removable wallpapers available, a papered feature is a hassle-free option that can be easily altered later on.
Removable decals are also popular, as are custom painted stripes and spots. These provide a fab look that, again, can be removed or painted over should your tween have a change of heart.
Chilling out
Create a cosy nook where your tween can enjoy some downtime or hanging out with friends. Go for a quirky hanging chair, (making sure it’s securely attached to an overhead beam) or something as simple as a dedicated floor area laid with a rug, beanbags or over-sized floor cushions. And be sure to include a quality music system so the rest of the family doesn’t have to endure their taste in music in the rest of the house. Have somewhere to charge their iPod and consider a compact bluetooth speaker from which they can stream their own playlist.
Create a cosy nook where your tween can enjoy some downtime or hanging out with friends. Go for a quirky hanging chair, (making sure it’s securely attached to an overhead beam) or something as simple as a dedicated floor area laid with a rug, beanbags or over-sized floor cushions. And be sure to include a quality music system so the rest of the family doesn’t have to endure their taste in music in the rest of the house. Have somewhere to charge their iPod and consider a compact bluetooth speaker from which they can stream their own playlist.
Check out cheap and cheerful retailers for fun yet affordable comfy chairs that are easily replaced should your tween’s style take a different turn.
Work station
Now is the time to choose quality furniture pieces that will last. The desk, either freestanding or built-in, needs to be functional and big enough to cope with a growing teen and mounting homework. A sleek contemporary style in neutral tones is a good option as it won’t date quickly. However, more importantly, you need a size that fits the space and is deep enough for your child to work comfortably alongside books, folders or a laptop. They don’t need everything on the desk at once; in fact, providing effective storage to keep the desk as clear as possible is ideal for encouraging a clear and organised work area.
Under-bench drawers are a good use of space and if deep enough, can double as a filing cabinet. Plenty of open shelving is essential – not only for their many favourite books, ornaments and photo frames, but also bold coloured containers, a great-looking storage solution for all manner of pens, pencils and tween-age knick-knacks. Larger shelves then offer space for school books, bags and folders, as well as easily accessible matching baskets, perfect for organising bigger items such as games, craft, hats, shoes or clothing accessories.
Now is the time to choose quality furniture pieces that will last. The desk, either freestanding or built-in, needs to be functional and big enough to cope with a growing teen and mounting homework. A sleek contemporary style in neutral tones is a good option as it won’t date quickly. However, more importantly, you need a size that fits the space and is deep enough for your child to work comfortably alongside books, folders or a laptop. They don’t need everything on the desk at once; in fact, providing effective storage to keep the desk as clear as possible is ideal for encouraging a clear and organised work area.
Under-bench drawers are a good use of space and if deep enough, can double as a filing cabinet. Plenty of open shelving is essential – not only for their many favourite books, ornaments and photo frames, but also bold coloured containers, a great-looking storage solution for all manner of pens, pencils and tween-age knick-knacks. Larger shelves then offer space for school books, bags and folders, as well as easily accessible matching baskets, perfect for organising bigger items such as games, craft, hats, shoes or clothing accessories.
A corkboard or fabric-covered pinboard is a must have, so tweens can personalise their study corner with artwork, photos or postcards.
Browse some well-organised kids’ rooms
Browse some well-organised kids’ rooms
A good source of light is also important. Try to position the desk as close as possible to a window to capture the natural light, and invest in a good quality desk lamp. Find a comfortable desk chair to complete the look; perhaps an adjustable style to cope with your growing tween. It doesn’t have to be the most expensive chair, as long as it offers support for the lower spine, encourages good posture and is appropriate for the age and weight of your child. It also has to fit under the desk so measure before you buy.
The Student Task Chair With Arms by Milan Direct, sourced through Temple & Webster is a good option for up to 14 years.
The Student Task Chair With Arms by Milan Direct, sourced through Temple & Webster is a good option for up to 14 years.
New-look bed
Maybe now is the time to upgrade from a child’s single to a king single or even a double bed. Whatever the bed, choose a quality that will last the years. Your tween will probably enjoy sourcing new linen to suit the new colour scheme. They also might be interested in an alternative bed such as a cool loft style with desk below, or perhaps a day bed that doubles as a chic lounger.
Cool kids beds sure to top the class
Maybe now is the time to upgrade from a child’s single to a king single or even a double bed. Whatever the bed, choose a quality that will last the years. Your tween will probably enjoy sourcing new linen to suit the new colour scheme. They also might be interested in an alternative bed such as a cool loft style with desk below, or perhaps a day bed that doubles as a chic lounger.
Cool kids beds sure to top the class
In the spotlight
A glamorous light fitting is a definite sign of tween sophistication – and a great opportunity for you both to hunt through vintage stores or op-shops for the perfect classic or retro piece. Perhaps refashion an old pendant light or chandelier as a project you can undertake together, creating a unique and beautiful piece in the process.
A glamorous light fitting is a definite sign of tween sophistication – and a great opportunity for you both to hunt through vintage stores or op-shops for the perfect classic or retro piece. Perhaps refashion an old pendant light or chandelier as a project you can undertake together, creating a unique and beautiful piece in the process.
Reinvent the past
A new chapter doesn’t necessarily mean all new furniture. If your tween likes classic family pieces, then simply update for a fresh new look. Re-upholster an old story-time armchair with stunning fabric, or give the pretty pink bedside table a stylish coat of charcoal, maybe something like stunning Dulux ‘Marais’.
Read more:
How to Design Your Teenage Son’s Bedroom
Must-Haves in a Teenage Girl’s Room
Tell us
Share your tween’s decorating success story – or nightmare – in the Comments below.
A new chapter doesn’t necessarily mean all new furniture. If your tween likes classic family pieces, then simply update for a fresh new look. Re-upholster an old story-time armchair with stunning fabric, or give the pretty pink bedside table a stylish coat of charcoal, maybe something like stunning Dulux ‘Marais’.
Read more:
How to Design Your Teenage Son’s Bedroom
Must-Haves in a Teenage Girl’s Room
Tell us
Share your tween’s decorating success story – or nightmare – in the Comments below.
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All very nice, however all my children's bedrooms are much too small to implement any of these wonderful ideas. They fit a bed and a chest of drawers and that's it. Sadly no chairs, desks or chill out zones for my lot.