Finding ways to make your kids rooms interesting and functional is not always easy. It is especially difficult when you have pre teens at home who would like nothing better than to paint everything black.
If you have a fan in your home (like I do, Madison you know who you are) here are some decorating ideas for you.
courtesy of freshhome.com
Could we have a harder group of people to decorate for than the teenaged male?
They are not exactly outspoken when it comes to the decor of their rooms. In fact most of the teenaged guys I know tend to shrug and mumble, “I don’t know…whatever…” Don’t be fooled. They really do care they just don’t want to talk about it.
They have long out grown their cutesy themed rooms. They may appear indifferent to the whole design thing but they really do want a comfortable space for hanging out or studying or they may want a space to reflect their various current interests. Over the years I have had requests from guys (reluctantly dragged into Seven’s with their parents) ranging from an all black room to a room with different colors on every wall to giant sports murals to snowboarding wallpaper.
Many of us as parents would draw the line at an all black room though. Sorry guys.
But I have come up with a few different ideas for you.
When many of us were growing up did we ever think we would be parents — let alone parents of pre – teens? Yikes! I know I never pictured it for myself that’s for sure.
My mother’s words have often come back to haunt me, “You just wait! Someday your kids will act the same way.”
Some days life is like a field full of land mines. You never know what you may say that will send off the fireworks. It is great for everyone if the pre-teen in the family has a neutral corner or bedroom to retreat to.
I remember enjoying the Chronicles of Narnia when I was younger and I think it is great how those books have stood the test of time. My own kids have read them and loved the cinematic interpretations too.
If your pre-teen is like mine, why not give them a room that reflects their interests (fleeting as they may be) ?
Since most little boys probably aren’t huge Fancy Nancy fans, I had to come up with a plan for them too. I recently went to see Toy Story 3 in 3D and really enjoyed it. It’s not often we can find a movie to entertain us adults, a thirteen and eight year old! I thought it was as entertaining as the first one.
My favorite character is Buzz Lightyear (although Woody is a close second). What little boy wouldn’t want a room inspired by outer space and a charismatic intergalactic space ranger?
There is something about Jane O’Connor’s beautifully detailed illustrations that beckons you to pick up a Fancy Nancy book. My own children are a little too old for the stories but we have enjoyed them immensely in the past. Nancy is a little bit “fancy” and loves all things French. She loves fashion and glamour and inspired me to put together a collection of colors and things to create a “Fancy” room for any little Fashionista…
I know you all have been sitting on pins and needles waiting for word on the lime green walls in my daughter’s room so here you go…
I am not sure if I have the energy. My youngest daughter (the one who felt slighted during the oldest daughter’s room makeover) has been persistently begging me to repaint her room.
The color she wants is LIME GREEN!!!
Not the timid pale Pottery Barn Lime… No she wants as close to neon as possible. I have painted enough lime to know it is not a gentle color. Certainly not conducive to promoting sleep and relaxation in the bedroom of an almost 8 year old (who still finds her way into my bed at least twice a week). Think of that one song line, “I wear my sunglasses at night”… NO Thank You!
We looked through my samples this past weekend. I gave her a set of greens to check out. (I hid the really bright set of greens hoping she wouldn’t notice.) Here is a snippet of our conversation:
Me: Teagan, do you like this green?
Teagan: No, it’s not lime enough!
Me: How about this green?
Teagan (insert dramatic sigh here): No, it’s not neon enough! Don’t you have anything else?
While I can appreciate her sense of style I may just pull a bit of a switcheroo and get a slightly less scary intense version of lime and go with something on the softer side. Shh! Don’t say anything to her please. I am just not a fan of making my hallway glow green when her door is open.
Oh, and did I mention the chalkboard wall? Currently she has a little square of chalkboard paint on one wall but she wants an entire wall now. Hmm… I will have to think about that. While I love the chalkboard paint, I don’t love chalk all over the carpet. (Maybe I can do a wall in the basement.)
I know what you’re thinking. This isn’t too bright for a bedroom. It appears much stronger in real life.
Here is a picture of her room right now.
Not too girly but kind of fun.
Here is the bedding she wanted at first.
Yikes, I know I would not have a “peaceful easy feeling” after living with this bedding set for even a few minutes.
We have settled on a black and white set but for some reason the image I had posted here was not showing up.
She still wants peace signs incorporated into the design. It should be interesting to see this thing come together. I will post pictures of my progress.
