Decorating for tweens can be difficult. They’re between stages, no longer little kids and but not quite ready for a grown-up bedroom. When your kids are ready to ditch their Little Mermaid or Transformers bedspreads and want something “less babyish” it might be time to give their childhood room a makeover. Here are a few tips to make a smooth transition and decorate a room that your tween can grow with (not out of) in the upcoming years.
A good place to start is to ask your child what kind of room they like. Most likely you’ll find that for girls, it won’t change much. Pink, purple, and anything that sparkles is still OK with them. Boys can be harder to work with and tend to be vaguer in their descriptions like, “blue” or “stripes.” To get a better idea of the things they like, go through some home magazines with them and have them clip the pictures they like. Ask them to pay attention to the bedrooms of characters from their favorite TV shows or movies.
Starting with new linens and bedding is a smart move. It is much easier to match paint to fabric than fabric to paint. Let them pick out the bedding. This is the best way to compromise. If they pick out the bedding (which is easy to change) then you get to pick out the wall color (which is much more difficult to change). This way even if your daughter decides she wants hot pink sheets, you’ll be able to nix the idea of hot pink walls too and instead choose a more manageable color.
Another thing you’ll need to is change the floor plan. If your child doesn’t have a desk in his or her room already, now is the time to get one. Once they’ve reach 7th grade, the homework load increases significantly. Having a quiet place to do their work is imperative. Rearranging the room not only makes room for a desk or a larger bed (if needed), but it gives the impression that it’s an entirely different room-it is no longer a little kid room.
Although your tween is ready for a more mature bedroom, chances are they aren’t ready to get rid of their childhood treasures. Stuffed animals, collectibles, or trophies will have a spot in their hearts. Even if they let go of a lot of their toys and treasures, some things they’ll want to hold on to. Consider installing a few high shelves for these items or making room on a bookshelf. This way their cherished possessions will still be visible, but will also be out of the way.
Because during these years your child’s style will change, don’t splurge on high priced items that they won’t like in two years. Give the room fun or funky flair with inexpensive items that can easily be parted with. Bean bag chairs, lava lamps and posters are all cheap ways to give the room added character without breaking the bank. Big box stores like Wal-Mart and Target are great places to look for inexpensive accessories.
Keep in mind that storage is an important consideration. It’s a good idea to maximize closet space with extra rods or hanging shelves. Under-the-bed storage is a good way to store seasonal clothing, shoes, or hobby supplies. The older your child gets, the more stuff he or she will accumulate, and unless there is adequate storage that stuff will end up on the floor.
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