Your teen’s room is her ‘sacred space’ where she can escape and express her personality. Here are some tips for decorating a teen’s room—especially one where two of them have to share!
Pick the right furniture
Keeping the peace starts with getting them separate beds. If you need to get a bunk bed to save space, ask your kids who would be willing to take the top bunk. If both can’t agree, suggest switching each month.
It’s important to provide them a sense of privacy. If you are blessed to have a big room, consider putting a divider that will help clearly define their own space. This will help avoid territory wars.
Get them their own closet space and desks to avoid future squabbles. If only one is a late sleeper, individual lamps will help a great deal when one needs to hit the books for an exam or just wants to spend the last few hours of the day reading.
Let them have their own style
It’s crucial to allow your children to express their individuality, but the challenge lies in executing the design, especially when one likes pastels and ruffles while the other prefers dark colors and geometric patterns.
Consult decorators or browse through the internet for ideas on merging different styles. Perhaps both kids can agree on a color for the walls to set the tone and bring the design together. A little exploration and research may also yield the surprising outcome of one style they both agree on.
Get them organized
Most of the disagreements happen when the mess piles up. Clothes in disarray and toys scattered all over the floor can start off shouting matches. Ensure that each one has enough space to store their stuff. Give each one a small box with a lock and key to keep treasured items. Invest in sturdy wire racks that can expand the storage space in closets and organizers that can be hung on hooks attached to walls or to the back of a bathroom door. Make use of the space under the beds as well. Get each one’s commitment to spend fifteen minutes each day to clean up and ensure everything is in its proper place.
Set rules
Be quiet if your brother is sleeping. Ask permission before borrowing your sister’s things. These are examples of rules that need to be laid out. Will sleepovers be allowed? Can friends hang out in the room? Your kids have to agree on a set of rules, and agree as well on the consequences should a rule be violated.
Teach them the art of compromise
Expect arguments to happen, because there will always be disagreements when siblings share a room. If one wants to listen to music while the other prefers the room to be quiet, suggest a pair of ear plugs. One wants the air condition on high while the other prefers a warm room? Offer additional blankets. When one cannot sleep when the room is too dark, install a small night light and give the other sibling a sleep mask. The key is helping them understand that one cannot have his own way all the time.
Photo from centro architecture