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Small Bedroom Decorating Ideas for Teenagers

Creating a Big Impact in a Small Space

small teenage girl's room

The Spruce / Ali Elshabrawi

You can still create a fabulous retreat for your teen regardless of the size of their bedroom. These teenage bedroom ideas for small spaces should suit you and your teenand make their small space feel big on style!

Find out How to Incorporate Your Teen's Style

Just because your teen girl has a small bedroom doesn't mean that she can't have the frilly canopy bed of her dreams. Most teens prefer a contemporary look which works very well in a small space. However if your teen likes a more traditional or eclectic look, that can work too.

The trick to making the most of a small room is to keep proportion in mind. If your teen loves curvy lines and lots of fluff, let her have the canopy bed frame, but keep other furniture clean and simple. Choose softer colors and smaller prints to balance the amount of frill.

If your teen loves modern, let them have some bold colors and patterns to bring life to contemporary's clean lines. There's nothing wrong with a bit of bling.

Choose Furniture That Does Double-Duty

Furniture that can function in more ways than one is very useful in small teenage bedrooms. If your teen has a television in their bedroom, hang it on the wall instead of placing it on a dresser or stand. If your teen has a large closet, they can possibly do without a dresser and/or wardrobe. Stash seasonal clothing in under bed storage, and use wall-mounted shelving instead of stand-alone bookcases.

Sofas and day beds can often work well in teen rooms. No, your teen probably won't fold the bed away every day but the seating will be there when they need or want it. Regardless of what they sleep on, just be sure you provide your teen's growing body with plenty of nighttime support.

Use Bold Colors Carefully

Most teens prefer bold colors and there is no reason you can't celebrate your teen's love of color, even in a small space. However, too much of a good thing can feel overwhelming in a small space. Try a bold color on an accent wall and repeat coordinating colors around the room in small amounts.

The floor is a good place to add color. A darkly colored rug can help "ground" a small bedroom. Try a boldly printed accent rugmaybe a camouflage or zebra printto add some texture to your teen's small bedroom. Of course, don't forget your fifth wall! Adding a design or mural to the ceiling can add a surprising element to a small bedroom, and gives your teen something lovely to look at before they drift off into sweet dreams.

Forgo the Desk

Most teens think they need a desk, but these can be clutter-catchers that aren't always used. Many teens secretly prefer to study on their beds or the floor, so don't feel you have to provide a desk. A small sliding computer desk that can double as a bedside table may work fine, or you may find that your teen doesn't need one at all.

Rethink the Bed

Just because you have a small space doesn't mean that you need to choose a twin-size bed. However, headboards can push a bed more than a foot from the wall so consider using a wall mounted headboard – or none at all. Platform beds often work well in a small bedroom as do raised beds that allow storage, work or lounging space beneath.

Max Out the Storage

Storage is something that most teens desperately need, especially in small spaces. Contain that clutter with storage that can be tucked out of sight when the items aren't needed. Choose furniture that maximizes storage, such as end tables with shelves and/or drawers, or beds that have built-in storage underneath. Look for places to add extra storage, such as along the tops of door frames, over the back of the bed, or hanging from the ceiling.