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Strategies for decorating teen bedrooms

There's no need to completely refurnish your child's room as he or she moves from infant to toddler to teen. You can create a delightful child's bedroom that evolves, reflecting both age and interests over the years -- without spending a small fortune. Here's how.

Guidelines for decorating teen bedrooms that grows

There's a simple strategy for creating a room that will grow with your son or daughter. First, invest in a good quality foundation. That includes well-made beds and dressers that will last, and carpet in a color and quality that can be included in a changing color scheme.

Second, reflect the child's age and personality in things that are easy -- and inexpensive -- to change. A toddler-sized armoire will quickly be outgrown, but you can use a full-size armoire, changing its paint and knobs as your babe's interest moves from Winnie-the-Pooh to trucks to guitars. Similarly, a patterned carpet of ribbons and bows is costly and may not suit the taste of your teeny-bopper daughter, but a rug, bedcover, or draperies in such a pattern is a cinch to swap out for something more hip.

In the preteen boy's room shown, a bright red full-size bed replaces a toddler bed as the room's focal point. Other changes are subtler. On the red-and-white dresser, kiddy drawer knobs were swapped for classy black ones. The blocky dresser lamp was repainted in a sporty plaid and outfitted with a new shade. Rustic-looking accessories and a corkboard replace childish wall hangings.

Build a Good Foundation

Invest in good quality, versatile furniture. The pine bed in this toddler room is a convertible crib. One side rail has been removed, transitioning the bed into a child-size daybed. A step stool helps the toddler climb in and out. Although it's not shown in this photograph, the red dresser in the preteen room has a place in this room too. A changing tray atop the dresser lets it do double duty in an infant's or toddler's room.

When purchasing furniture for kids, look for lasting style and character. Sleek, boxy furniture may never go out of style, but you may tire of its lack of charm. Consider antiques and primitives for a child's room, but be sure they meet current safety standards (cribs in particular). Search for dressers, bookcases, and other case goods that lend themselves to repainting. Painting is an easy way to alter the mood of a piece over the years.

Pack It with Personality

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