Teenage bedroom ideas that are stylish and low maintenance

Getting teenage bedroom ideas spot on could just a help smooth out daily life for everyone when it comes to the complex creatures called teenagers.

With any kind of bedroom design it is so important that everything from the layout to the wall colour is chosen to both be a reflection of the personality and requirements of whoever will be occupying the room as well as being tailored to suit the size and shape of the space.

When it comes to teenage bedrooms specifically, you need to take a very multi-functional approach. Their bedrooms are far more than just sleeping spaces – this is a room that needs to feel like a totally private haven, somewhere they can escape to, whether that is to catch up with friends or plough through their homework in peace. 

Check out our round-up of ideas, all chosen to keep teen tantrums at bay.

Where to start with teenage bedroom ideas

This is one room where you are going to have to take a step back and let your teenager take the lead – but don't panic, there are ways of ensuring that these bedroom ideas remain practical at the same time as being an expression of your teen.

"As teenagers develop, their styles and identities develop too meaning their bedroom could need several restyles from early teens through to later years," points out Debbie Leigh, design manager at ILIV. "Starting with a blank canvas is not only manageable but encourages creativity."

All the experts we spoke to agreed on one thing when it came to teenage bedroom design – the importance of plenty of great storage. By ensuring there is plenty of storage you will have more chance of a tidy space. The same goes when it comes to flooring and other surface finishes – try to steer your teen towards those that are easy to care for, keep clean and unlikely to show up every speck of dirt. 

1. Make sleepovers easy with an extra bed

Through careful design and considerate furniture choices, you can take the stress out of your teenager's friends coming to stay. If you give them a space that they can feel at ease hanging out with their friends, life will just be easier for everyone. 

Futons have long been a staple for children's bedroom ideas, but they are not the only solution. Sofa beds are brilliant if you have the space – somewhere to sit and relax without actually dozing off in bed, as well as a place to put up visitors easily.

If you are keen to keep floorspace as free as possible, consider a trundle bed instead – such as this one from The Painted Furniture Company. When not in use, the spare bed simply slides away out of sight. 

2. Include a comfy spot to sit and chill out

To a teenager, the bedroom is somewhere not just to go to sleep, but also to spend time alone or with friends – it basically needs to be their own personal living room too so be sure to explore some cosy bedroom ideas. 

Even if you don't have space for a sofa or armchair, carving out a space to sit and relax is a brilliant idea and is a great opportunity to let them bring in their own decorative flourishes, whether that is through a range of colourful accessories or by choosing a wall colour to make the area feel distinct as a chill out zone. 

This cosy corner would be simple and inexpensive to replicate using a pile of squashy cushions, some fun paint choices and good shelving. 

3. Create a quiet spot to get homework done and dusted

Homework may never be something that your teen actively looks forward to, but there are ways of making it feel a little less of drag.

Ensure they have a clear, well-lit and easy-to-organise space to sit at. This might mean investing in a new desk with plenty of storage in the form of drawers and shelves, or perhaps you want some built-in desk ideas and have an existing alcove just waiting to be fitted with a sturdy shelf that can be used as a work area.

Remember that your teen's bedroom needs plenty of sockets for all their electrical equipment too and, if you can find a way to close off the desk area, with a sliding door or perhaps by selecting a console desk unit that be closed up, this will allow them to 'switch off' from school mode when they are done. 

4. Let teens express their personality through colour

Your choice of bedroom wall colour is so important when it comes not only to how the space looks, but also in terms of how it feels to spend time in. 

There is no right or wrong choice when it comes to colour – but asking your teen, the person who will be spending the most time in the room, for what their idea of the best bedroom colours are is key. Of course that doesn't mean you can't advise them a little, perhaps suggesting warmer tones for north-facing rooms, or that colour-drenching the entire space in a very dark shade that receives little in the way of natural light might not be the best idea.

If you are keen for the walls to remain neutral, there are many other ways to introduce and play with colour - through accessories, such as cushions, within artwork, bedding, rugs, curtains and so on. 

"Keep it simple by painting the walls a neutral tone and experiment using a selection of colourful wall art," agrees Debbie Leigh. "Adding co-ordinating pillows will liven the room whilst keeping costs at bay – an achievable makeover which can be frequently mixed up."

"Painted freestanding furniture is a great way to achieve a relaxed bedroom scheme and can offer huge versatility," says Adam Brown. "Not only can you move furniture around to create different configurations at any time, but the furniture can also be repainted should their interior tastes change years down the line."

Adam Brown

The Painted Furniture Co. brand was launched in 2010 by husband-and-wife Adam and Rosy who were were keen to move away from bland furniture and had decided to swap more traditional lacquer for paint.

On a whim they asked one of their oak collection suppliers to paint a few pieces in a nice grey-green colour. The supplier responded with an oak dresser painted in a colour Adam and Rosy refer to as 'Rockford'. And with that piece, their first Cotswold collection was born.

5. Prioritise great storage for fuss-free mornings

If there is just one thing you need to get right when it comes to this room it your bedroom storage ideas – you can, quite simply, never have enough. 

“Furniture that serves a dual purpose is ideal for a teenagers’ bedroom, balancing both practicality with style to meet the evolving needs and tastes of adolescents," says Stephany Aubrey, brand specialist at Zinus. "We’d suggest considering beds with built-in storage compartments, as these provide a space for their belongings they may not want on show. Encouraging teens to participate in their bedroom design process can also lead to storage solutions that they are more likely to use. Storage solutions that they’re able to personalise, like a side table, can make organisation more appealing to them.” 

"As a mum of three boys, I have to say that I love any storage solution where I can throw things inside and shut (or lock!) the door," says Becca Stern, creative director and co-founder of Mustard Made. "Instant tidy, instant calm! A colourful, functional locker is a fantastic idea for any teen's room. Plus, unlike most of their things, kids don't outgrow lockers. It's an investment piece that works just as well in a teenager's room or dorm room and hopefully will be that piece that they'll want to take with them when they move out!" 

Becca Stern

Becca is creative director and co-founder of Mustard Made, along with sister Jess. Mustard Made specialises in metal lockers in all kinds of styles and colours and is the result of the sisters' meticulous research into creating perfect products.

6. Add a whimsical touch for a dreamy space

This is a room that should feel fun and be somewhere teens can let their imaginations run wild. Even practical items, such as storage in children's rooms, can include a playful touch.

It might be that you feel confident of your teen's artistic skills and let them loose on a plain wardrobe or chest of drawers armed with suitable paints for the job, or splash out on one or two stand-out pieces they love.

"Like most of us, teenagers’ tastes are likely to chop and change over time so when designing their room, try to consider ways to add in flexibility to change things up," says Adam Brown.

In this bedroom, the Cloud Chest of Drawers from Circu adds a dreamy touch. Not only is it fun, it also features six handy drawers.

7. Choose furniture with your teen in mind

Teenagers don't always have the lightest touch when it comes to closing doors and drawers so it really does pay, when choosing furniture for their bedrooms, to invest in well-made, durable pieces that are going to withstand some slamming from time to time. 

You also need to have a conversation with your teenager about what items they would find useful. Maybe you have a child who loves spending hours getting their make-up perfect and who owns an unbelievable number of products to do so, or perhaps your teen is a budding artist who needs plenty of space for their art supplies. Maybe you have a sports mad teenager who needs space for all their racquets, balls, bats and kit in which case your bedroom wardrobe ideas should reflect this. 

Here, a pretty painted dressing table with drawers, from The Painted Furniture Company, provides the perfect preening spot, while further storage is catered for by a tall chest of drawers to one side.

8. Use bold, deep shades for a cosy finish

Dark bedroom ideas tend to be popular with teenagers. They are great for creating a cosy, warm space that feels like a snug cocoon. There is no need why they should feel gloomy or oppressive either providing you use layers of texture and a range of variations on the same shade. 

This beautiful bedroom features a strong, yet chalky blue hue on the exposed brickwork which looks perfect as a backdrop for the greens, greys and other shades of blue used elsewhere in the space. 

9. Simplify your life with a coverless duvet

There is no denying it, teenagers can be messy members of the household, magically making your plates, cups and cutlery disappear and forgetting about the half-eaten sandwiches at the end of their bed. Whether it is make-up stains or smelly old socks, anything that makes your teenager's bedroom easier to keep clean is well worth investing in. 

Wipeable paint is a brilliant idea, as are hard types of flooring, such as engineered timber, lino or rubber. Furniture with unfinished solid wooden tops are bound to end up covered in water marks, so either provide your teen with a stash of coasters, or opt for treated timber or another material, such as glass, instead.

The duvet cover here is designed to make life easier.  The Coverless Comfort duvets from Slumberdown feature a soft sewn cover and are generously filled with cosy hollow-fibres. They are also machine washable and quick drying, essential for messy teens.

10. Keep them organised with customised storage

Your teen bedroom storage ideas need to take into account individual hobbies and belongings if they are going to work well.

"Storage is an important consideration as their rooms will quickly look cluttered and messy without adequate places to put things away," says Adam Brown, director at The Painted Furniture Company. "Bespoke furniture is a great option for teenagers as it can be customised to their exact storage needs, i.e wardrobe interiors can be designed precisely to fit tennis racquets, musical instruments, art equipment or any specific hobbies they may be into."

The shelving unit here, from Shelved, features a desk, pinboard and a range of cupboards and shelves. It is designed to bridge over a bed to maximise floorspace.

Three of the best shelving units for teen bedrooms

FAQs

What are the essentials in a teenage bedroom?

While this a space that needs to reflect your teenager's own style preferences and habits, there are some things that no teen bedroom should be without. 

Plenty of storage, somewhere to do homework, a cosy bed to slump in – day or night – and somewhere to have friends to stay are all must-haves. 

"Having a beautifully decorated room is one thing, but having a practical and functional one is another," points out Debbie Leigh. "Adding blackout lining to the curtains will not only keep the early sunrises out but will also keep the warm temperatures in and the carpets and furniture from bleaching."

These Jeffro Eyelet Blackout Curtains from Wayfair come in 10 different colours. 

Debbie Leigh

Debbie is an expert in creating beautifully coordinated fabric collections that can be easily combined to create harmonious interior schemes. With more than 30 years of experience, she takes every design from conception right through to the finished textile - inspired by the latest trends and techniques from every continent.

What type of flooring is best for teen bedrooms?

While bedroom flooring ideas should focus on materials that are soft and warm underfoot, in teenage and children's bedrooms, you need something that won't show up marks too easily and that is easy to clean when the inevitable spills happen. In short, expensive pale coloured carpets are a bad idea.

Either stick to a carpet in a shade that masks stains well, such as a mid-grey or beige, or opt for something else entirely. LVT, engineered timber and rubber are all fantastic options, as is cork. Throw down some washable rugs too to soften the space. 

While getting your teenager's bedroom spot on should keep all members of the household happy, don't forget to give your own bedroom design the consideration it deserves. Check out our master bedroom ideas for all the inspiration you need.