Most teenagers reach a point where they want to give their bedroom a more mature look and feel. This often means replacing a childish decorating theme with one that is more in line with their growing tastes. However, they might not be ready to give up all their memories of childhood, such as a few favorite toys or decorating accessories. A teenage girl will probably have plenty of decorating ideas when it comes to redesigning her bedroom. However, teenage boys are not always that interested in decorating their bedroom, even when they desire a more up-to-date look. There are a number of ways you can help your teen update their room, while still providing them with plenty of personal input on the decorating project.

Find Out What is Important

Understanding what is most important to your teen is the first step towards updating their bedroom to reflect a more mature look. Most teens have an item or two from their childhood that they just are not ready to part with, such as a favorite doll, a collection of toy cars, or an old stuffed animal. While it might not look useful to you, it's important to remember that everyone is entitled to keep what means the most to them. Give your teen full reign to decide what to keep and what to discard. You can provide input, but your teen should make the final judgment call.

Discover Ways to Blend the Old with the New

Most times it's not necessary to replace everything in a teen's room in order to give it a more mature look. Furniture
pieces, as long as they are not childish in nature, usually transition nicely from a child's decor to one that is more mature. However, in some cases you'll want to replace existing furniture pieces with those that are more appropriate for a teenager. For example, while a small desk might have worked well when they were younger, they can probably utilize a larger desk now that they have reached their teens. Adding furniture pieces with more storage, such as a larger chest of drawers or dresser, can also provide them with extra space for clothing and other personal items.

Providing more storage is also a great way to help your teen keep their room neat and tidy. Remember that it's not necessary to have every furniture piece match in a teen's room. If their bed still works but they need more drawer space, simply keep the bed while purchasing a new chest of drawers. The resulting look will be slightly eclectic, which teenagers usually love.

Pull the Look Together with Accessories

Accessories can go a long way towards giving a teen's room a more mature look. If your teen has a bookcase that was previously used to display a doll or stuffed animal collection, replacing the toys with vacation mementos or school memorabilia can give their room a more sophisticated look. Replacing a childish bedside lamp with one that is fun and funky can give their bedroom a fresh new look.

Actively listening to your teen, along with the careful choice of furniture pieces and decorating accessories, can lead to a room that grows with your child. And remember to relax and enjoy the experience. Use it as an opportunity to get to know the person that your offspring is becoming. After all, the next room you help your son or daughter decorate might be a college dorm room or their bedroom in their first apartment.