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Teenage times are difficult indeed - what with your teen coping up with the graduation to young adulthood and other pressures at school and from friends. She is becoming aware of her body, yearns to express her individuality which may be (heaven forbid!) in ways like multiple body piercings, multi-coloured hair, or, if you get plain lucky, a room makeover. This being the most troubled period in your child's life when she is coming to terms with life, it is up to you to see that she has some privacy and a space of her own.
You have to allot some money for this - and luckily, it doesn't have to be a fortune. Naturally, she wants to express her creativity and individuality. After all, this is her room, her den, where she can relax and be herself. If she is good with her hands, encourage her to make a few accessories on her own. She can jazz up her room with some decorative pillows, unique but inexpensive lampshades (the paper ones available are terrific for a teen's room!) a collage of photos dear to her, and wall hangings. These can easily personalise a room and add character to it. String together inexpensive photo frames or put together a collection of masks - those look real cool! Give the room a fresh coat of paint in a shade of her choice. You could experiment with trendy colours for each wall. Lampshades come in such lovely styles and materials these day that you could use these as a fashion statement whether they are striped, made of beads strung together or even with animal prints (she would love this if she is a PFA activist or sympathiser. Seating will be one of the important things you will need to change. Your young adult will need a comfortable chair/single sofa where she can curl up with a book or with her music, or watch the TV. Consider investing in one of those deep wicker chairs which will be conducive to the above mentioned activities. Not enough space? Go in for one of those 'director' chairs that can be folded up when not in use. You could also create a diwan effect with bolsters which will serve as seating during the day and double up as a bed at night. Huge cushions with bright flowery prints placed on the floor are also favoured by most teens. It is a great way to create extra seating when it is a friends' night. The study area can be separated with a beaded curtain, or even those very tribal wooden beads. Gives a real cool look! Keep lovely wicker baskets for her trinkets, toiletries and hair brushes. Organise her CDs in trendy CD holders. Buy stacking baskets or drawers that can hold many of her things. Socks, T shirts, underclothes etc can go into these. Place a wicker hamper for the laundry so that it is not strewn all over the room. The bed can have a storage compartment for bedclothes and less used clothes. Serves as a dump place when she wants to display a neat room to friends.
Go ahead! Impress your lovely teen with these ideas and see her 'gurgle' her approval!
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