How to decorate a teenager's room on a budget

Decorating a teen's room is fun and challenging all at the same time.  A teenager's room is multi-functional, so it needs to be a sleep space, play space and entertainment central.  But most importantly, it has to look cool!

Inventory the teen's room

Yes, decorating a teen's room can get those cash registers ringing! But before pulling out that charge card and running it sky high, a parent and their teen should determine together four things:

1. The look they want to achieve, and the budget of the project.
2. The items in the teen's room that will still work in the new theme or can be re-purposed to do so.
3. The big items that are absolutely necessary or "must haves".
4. The decorative items that would add the most punch for the money.

Find a Stylish Teen Inspiration Room

PB Teen is a great online store to buy cool teen decor, but is somewhat pricey if decorating on a tight budget.  However, They have great examples of rooms (click on "shop rooms") put together with their merchandise which can be used as an inspiration room when shopping for thriftier items. Pick a room, such as their "Flower Pop Stuff-Your-Stuff Bedroom" and  focus on the primary elements:

The main elements of the PB Teen room are:

• Full Platform bed with underbed storage cubicles ($799), headboard shelving and pegs ($849)
• Three drawer dresser with vanity mirror and jewelry tray ($799)
• White boudoir lamp (bubble base and ribbon trim lampshade) - ($84 each)
• Full  large floral bedspread ($159),  two shams ($25x2)
• Several bulletin pin boards - ($59 each x 2)
• Large decorative letters (wire $15 each)

Total approximate cost of this PB Teen room is $2900

Copycat the high-end PB Teen room

Check out these copycat items that equal big savings:

• IKEA's ODDA brand platform guest bed (twin or full) with under-bed storage ($299) and matching ODDA headboard with storage compartment ($99).
• IKEA's Hemnes mirror chest ($279)
• Mary Kate and Ashley table lamps at Simply Table Lamps ($51.95) or Kirkland's Pink Polka dot accent lamp on sale for $12.98
• BrylaneHome.com has a cute floral total bed set "Lindsay" ($79.99) Or, consider other patterns such as "Peace Out' with fun peace symbols in primary colors from Delia's. Or, how about "Bubbles" from BrylaneHome.com for $29.99 for a bed in a bag for really big savings!  Kohl's runs sales often on bedding, with a cute, giant polka dot full-size bedding set (including sheets) for $59.99!
• Instead of purchasing the pin boards, DIY French Memo Boards or Fabric Boards can be made by purchasing a corkboard bulletin board and covering it with fabric and ribbon that compliments the comforter colors.(approx. $25 each)
• Check Target, WalMart and craft stores like Michael's and JoAnne for large wooden or paper mache  letters, or if possble, DIY by cutting out letters from plywood with a jig saw. The letters can be painted and ric rac glued on, wire wrapped around the edges, etc. ($3.99 each)

These alternative choices reduce a complete makeover by over $2000!

The secret when decorating a teen's room using an inspiration room is to shop, shop, shop. Check the bargain and online stores, and shop sales. If the teen's heart is set on some specific, big ticket item, then wait for it to go on sale, and buy it as soon as it does!  Supplement the rest of the look with re-painted or re-purposed items, a little DIY, and bargains and close seconds.  They'll love it and so will your wallet.

Related article:

Decorating a Teen's room with removable wall decals

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Resources:

PBteen.com

Brylanehome.com

IKEA.com