It's no surprise that teenage boys bedroom ideas – and teenage boys bedroom ideas that appeal to both you and your teen dirtbag – are worth their weight in gold.
Why? Well, because your growing kid's room needs to be so much more than just a bedroom. It needs to offer them somewhere to sleep, obviously, but also somewhere to study and play, too.
It needs plenty of bedroom storage solutions, to avoid any of those dreaded 'floordrobe' moments. And, above all else, teenage boys bedroom ideas need to help your ever-evolving teen express themselves (not to mention act as a place of refuge when they need a bit of time to themselves).
No big deal, eh?
Teenage boys bedroom ideas
'When it comes to decorating teenage boys bedroom ideas, our answer is to be smart,' says Jane Rockett, co-founder of Rockett St George.
'Tackling teenage bedrooms can be an intimidating task. However, there are a few key elements that help to create a space that works for both you and them.'
From storage to wallpaper, art to a desk, here's how to work with your teenager to create a room you both love.
1. Create a gallery wall
When it comes to teenage bedroom ideas, creating a 'space that is both comfortable and timeless is very important, but it is also crucial to create a decor that has sentimental value, too,' says Sabrina Panizza and Aude Lerin, co-founders of PL Studio.
To this end, then, they suggest you create a bedroom picture wall using 'the teen’s own artworks, like drawings or collages, combined with off-the-shelf posters and prints to give life to a fun gallery-style wall.'
Sabrina and Aude also suggest that, if your teen is into arts and crafts, you 'encourage them to create some sculptures and objects that can be displayed throughout their room.'
'An art workshop could be a great activity to keep the teens entertained for an afternoon and give them the chance to come back home with a work of art they are proud to showcase in their own room,' they say.
2. Don't ban black
Despairing over your teen's desire for a black bedroom? Don't; there are ways you can incorporate this into your bedroom colour scheme.
'It's important to work with teens on what they want here, as a bedroom is often one of the only places that they can truly mark as their own,' says Stephanie King, content and creative lead at Dulux.
'It is, however, good to maintain some common ground. If they want to paint the whole thing blank, consider instead an accent wall. Or, alternatively, how about a deeper grey tone such as Natural Slate from B&Q?'
Whatever you decide, she adds it's important to remember that 'it's only paint and can be easily changed.'
3. Opt for bold geometric prints
When it comes to bedroom wall decor ideas for your teenage boy's bedroom, Sabrina and Aude say 'bold geometric prints are our go-to when it comes to adding personality.'
'They are fun and engaging, but also are structured, so it’s the perfect combination for a teenager who needs order as much as freedom and excitement,' they explain.
Stephanie agrees, adding that 'straight lines or panelling designs also work really well for teenagers and add a pop of bold colour to a boring bedroom.'
4. Try an indoor plant (or 5)
One of our favourite bedroom ideas, for kids and adults alike, is a room filled with indoor plants – so it makes sense that a touch of greenery is on our burgeoning list of teenage boy bedroom ideas, too.
'Using indoor plants can be a great way to add life, colour, and a refreshing atmosphere to teenage bedrooms,' say Sabrina and Aude.
'You might want to think about choosing the right plants; low-maintenance plants are ideal for teenagers who may not have a green thumb. Consider varieties like snake plants, pothos, spider plants, or succulents.'
5. Think vertically
Use the walls, and less will end up on the floor, right? Make sure your teen has plenty of space to put his stuff with something like this unit from the IKEA IVAR range.
For teenage boys bedroom ideas, consider an open wardrobe idea for shirts and jackets with shelving and baskets for folded clothes. This will mean that everything's to hand when getting ready in the morning, helping them get up and out the door on time.
Giving your teenager their own laundry basket and large bin will help keep the space tidy and calm.
6. Set the scene with a statement lamp
A floor lamp is a practical addition to any bedroom, creating an ambient glow and cosy feel. Go oversized with a cool movie-style floor lamp to make a big statement, and layer it with bedside lights and a ceiling light so your teen can adjust the level of lighting whether he's reading, gaming or hanging out with friends after school.
Talking of bedroom lighting ideas, why not stick battery-powered LED strip lights to the underside of shelves for an extra layer of light? These can be picked up cheaply at places like Primark and IKEA. Position a strip under a desk to create the illusion that it's floating.
7. Remember blue is the colour
It's official: blue bedroom ideas work really well for teenage boys, but take care when choosing the shade of blue.
'Creating the perfect paint colour palette for a boy's bedroom can be tricky, and it’s really important to involve your teenager in the process and consider what they're using it for,' says Stephanie from Dulux.
'It’s crucial to consider what they want, as it's important to create a room for them to grow with whilst also maintaining timelessness. Deep blue shades tend to look great when paired with harmonious colours such as softer, natural neutrals.'
To create a super modern room, Stephanie suggests using bright yellow pops of colour like Banana Split from Homebase on a deep blue like Denim Drift from B&Q, to really create an impact.'
And, if you want to recreate the look above, you'll want to head to IKEA and pick up a SVÄRTA loft bed frame, stat!
8. Build an inspiring workspace with personal trinkets
Incorporate a colourful desk area into your young man's or teenage girls bedroom with bright filing boxes and folders. Transform basic shelving with a lick of paint and look for stationery storage options in matching colours. Use leftover wallpaper and paint to add depth inside the shelving.
Shelves are also handy for displaying treasured items. Ideal Home Decorating Editor and mum of teenage boys Nicky Phillips recommends creating an area of open cube shelving to transform favourite trainers, baseball caps and trophies into display pieces.
9. Carve out a chilled corner
If your teen wants a calm and minimalistic look, go for a pared-back and modern scheme with neutral tones, comfy seating and houseplants. This will enable you to create a calm chill-out zone within teenage boys bedroom ideas to retreat to when needed.
Laid-back seating options like beanbags or even floor cushions are great for making a den-like area for watching TV, reading or gaming. They can easily be moved around the room when friends come over, too.
10. Embrace industrial materials
Look for mate rials with a more industrial vibe to toughen up the look and create visual interest, from copper to concrete. In the space above (created by IKEA), the chipboard walls are a fun feature that brings texture, contrasting beautifully against the smooth steel of the loft bedframe.
Add lots of hooks for hanging headphones, hats and bags to free up floor space and encourage tidy habits.
11. Add personality with fun wallpaper
'There are amazing bedroom wallpapers available that can totally change and transform a whole room,' comments Jane from Rockett St George.
'For teenage boys bedroom ideas, we love simple industrial designs such as concrete, brick or tile effect wallpaper patterns that they won’t grow out of.'
12. Make room with a high-sleeper
A high-sleeper bed is a design must-have if your teen is working with small bedroom ideas. This multifunctional piece of furniture can double or triple up as somewhere to sleep, somewhere to study and somewhere to relax. Go for a metallic tone such as chrome to give a more grown-up feel.
13. Be flexible with a chalkboard wall
Be inventive with your wall space and create a DIY chalkboard for your teenage boys bedroom ideas or 'chill out' space. Start with one feature wall painted half-way in a chalkboard paint, then add a white storage shelf above to keep chalk and stationary to hand.
Continue the laid back and creative vibe with a macramé hanging chair (mounted to a secure structure) and an atmospheric fairy light idea. You could also use chalk paint to upcycle existing furniture.
'Why not try painting a wardrobe door in chalk paint for a useful notice board, so you can subtly nudge them to do their laundry or tidy their room!' says Nadia McCowan Hill, Resident Style Advisor, Wayfair’.
14. Furnish with stylish designs
Choosing furniture that doesn't feel childish is an easy way to make your teenage boy's bedroom feel like a grown-up space. By using statement furniture pieces that feel welcome in a living room helps to make their bedroom evolve into a social space.
A comfy leather swivel chair is ideal for providing a cool place to hang out and relax. A side table with a removal top is the ideal storage solution for keeping their favourite magazines and books to hand, while they enjoy some chill time in the comfort of their own room.
15. Design a teen cave
Sometimes, we all need peace and 'alone time' so create a cosy snug in their teenage boys bedroom ideas by adding a curtain around the bed. This one is attached to a rustic beam but the effect can easily be created by installing a curtain rod to the ceiling. You don't need much space, so this will work even in rather small kids rooms.
Fun fairy lights will frame the nook and add a whimsical atmosphere. Finish the enclosure with eye-catching posters taped to the wall for a look that is laid-back and relaxed.
16. Make a big statement with an oversized map
Maps provide a great motif for teenage boy bedroom walls, with charted murals or map prints making a great impact on a large expanse of wall. They're also a handy tool for coaching (you and) your kid through their geography homework.
Keep the look graphic and edgy by adding a Union Jack rug or bed linen and stick to a simple colour palette of two or three primary colours for a smart, cohesive scheme.
17. Go from kid to teen with a theme
Make the move from nursery ideas to a teen-ready space with a grown-up theme like this celestial scheme, ensuring the teenager version is 'in a galaxy far far away' from nursery-style rockets and aliens.
Start with a monochrome two-tone effect as your backdrop, then choose a sturdy white wooden bed (or bunk bed) to give a NASA-designed spacecraft feel. Accessorise with lots of astronomer-style wall art such as 'moon prints' and galaxy maps. Vintage science-fiction books would make interesting finishing touches.
18. Make tidying simple with oodles of storage
The easiest way to encourage tidy teenage boys' bedroom ideas is to offer bundles of bedroom storage ideas that create a home for absolutely everything.
Kids can accumulate a lot of belongings, so avoid a cluttered scheme by choosing coherent bedroom furniture like this modern light-wood and curvaceous range. It has as many components as you could think of including a funky sliding 'over-bed' desk.
19. Enhance independent living
Teenagers spend lots of time in their bedrooms so plan the space well to make them feel they have their own 'home within a home' with a cosy grey bedroom idea. Start with grey shiplap on walls to create a cabin vibe and install Anglepoise-style lamps on the walls for a space-saving lighting solution that's adaptable, too.
Give the bed a cool 'corner sofa' twist by adding additional ottoman seating to the side then finish by marrying the two with matching throws and bedlinen.
20. Paint a wall effect
Be inventive with your wall space and create a bedroom accent wall that highlights and envelopes your teen's sleeping space. Start by painting walls a pale tone then measure from the corner of the ceiling a diagonal line on each wall to the floor.
Mask with tape and fill in the pyramid with a contrasting paint shade. Remove the tape whilst the paint is still damp. Decorate the area with artwork and lights.
21. Get grown up with a four-poster bed
Investing in a double bed is ideal for teenage boys bedroom ideas as it won't be long until they'll want the extra space to spread out more. Win extra points by making a four-poster bed the focus of the room by stringing LED festoon lights around the top of a black metal-framed bed.
A blackboard feature wall continues the industrial style and encourages creativity. Offset the strong black backdrop with an injection of colour using rugs and bed linen.
22. Be inventive with space
If your new loft conversion was built to accommodate a growing teenage son, make the most of sloped ceilings and alcoves. They'll love the hide-away spaces.
This teenage attic bedroom idea has a low-level bed slotted into the eaves space, while cut-out shelf storage showcasing colourful books makes the most of the small square footage. A futon sofa bed adds to the intimate and inviting feel.
23. Welcome a vibrant accent colour
Play it safe with traditional blue and grey shades as a background and add a splash of vibrant colour as an accent shade throughout. This smart grey room welcomes an acid yellow ladder, bedside table and soft-furnishings in a similar shade to lift the scheme.
This double bed is perfect if you are looking for shared bedroom ideas and wanted to keep the room as neutral as possible to please both parties without looking dull. If you've just one teenage son taking advantage of this room, they can easily turn the lower level into a spacious sofa to hang out with their friends.
Emma Anthony, Design Manager at Dunelm recommends adding lots of cushions to create a space for lounging and gaming. So if the bed is against the wall they can be positioned to create a seating arrangement with something soft to lean against. Alternatively, if another family comes to stay, this set up makes a great temporary guest bedroom idea.
24. Add extra seating options
A comfy chair or a couple of beanbags are a must for a teenage boys bedroom ideas. The last thing they want to do is hang out with their friends in the living room, with siblings and parents walking in every five minutes. Create their own private haven within the home which feels like more than a just bedroom.
Extra seating is the easiest way to make the room feel more like a social space. A high sleeper keeps the bed out of the way, creating more space to accommodate a comfy chair or beanbag for their friends to lounge around on after school.
25. Start with a blank canvas that's easy to change
If you're not keen on the idea of making a trip to a DIY store every year for a new pot of paint, accommodate your teenagers changing tastes by keeping the walls of the room a blank canvas using the best white paint.
White walls might not be the trendiest option for a teenage boys' room, but you can easily adapt to your teenagers changing interests with framed prints on the wall and patterned bedding.
26. Stamp style with accessories
If getting creative on the walls is a bridge too far, let your teenager express their style through accessories instead. A statement patterned duvet set is a great way to do this. It makes an instant impact in a room and is quick and easy to change if and when your son gets bored of a look.
Navy blue is a reassuringly masculine shade and makes an ideal backdrop to practically any colour scheme when balanced with fresh white. Wall stickers are practical, too, as they can be easily peeled off when it's time for an update.
27. Show off cool collections
If your son has a favourite hobby or collection, why not incorporate it into his teen bedroom design scheme? The caps in this bedroom make an interesting storage solution and talking point. A plain white backdrop lends the bright and colourful appliqué details on the headgear extra impact.
It's also a good idea to think about their hobbies when choosing furniture for teenage boys bedroom ideas.
'Ensure there is enough room for their hobbies and activities. If they like to read, include a cosy armchair in the corner of the room with a blanket and reading light; if they like to do art, ensure there is a desk in a part of the room with plenty of natural light,' comments Ann Marie Cousins, Founder, AMC Design.
28. Hang a peg board
Teenage years can be dominated by school exams, so a tidy and organised study area in a teen's bedroom is a must. Invest in a good quality desk and chair and fit a funky pegboard above the desk area so your teen has plenty of space to store notes and reminders. It's actually a great small home office idea for a grown up, too.
29. Go back to school
For a fail-safe scheme that boys will love, try this fun take on schoolroom style for your teenage boys bedroom ideas. Choose 'uniform' navy blue as your backdrop, teamed with weathered wood boards on the floor. Then add personality with school room-inspired furniture, from locker room metal cabinets for storage to an old school desk.
Top it all off with fun accessories from the classroom, such as a bright metal chair, Anglepoise desk lamp and wooden cubbyhole storage. Dedicating a desk area away from the view of the bed goes a long way to motivate study, rather than sleep or socialising.
30. Opt for a classic navy blue and grey scheme
Choose navy blue and grey bedroom ideas that will look great for years to come. 'A neutral colour palette of navy blue and grey will never date, adding sophisticated style throughout their teenage years,' says Wayfair’s Resident Style Advisor Nadia McCowan Hill.
'Add interest with bold geometrics and introduce faux greenery to suit even the most novice of houseplant owners!'
31. Pick out a rug
The best bedroom rug ideas can transform a space, so why not let your teen choose something that will make their room their own?
'We let them choose select the bed linens to suit the teen's taste and reflect their individuality, so why not involving them when it comes to select their room’s rug?' ask Sabrina and Aude.
'A simple rug with an unusual shape and great colours, like this Smugglers Geo R2D2 Blue Rug from Ruggable, can add much needed youthful joy!'
FAQs
How can I personalise a teenage boy's bedroom?
'Tailor teenage boys bedroom ideas to be all about them,' says Rachel Homer, interiors blogger and writer, and mum of two boys. 'An interesting and colourful pinboard gives them a place to show some personality, where they can pin up whatever makes them happy.
'From music posters and family photos to school certificates to be proud of, this is the pace for them to celebrates what matters to them.'
What should be in a teenage boy's room?
'For a teenage boy, his bedroom is like a fort, protecting him from the outside world,' says Rachel Homer. 'It's a place where he can go to get some private space or hang out with friends and siblings'.
'It's also a place where he can start to express his own identity separate from the rest of the household. This could be by putting up posters, showing off collections, choosing a striking duvet cover or using his favourite colours on the walls.'
That said, teenage boys bedrooms ideas also need to be practical, especially if your teenager is at the age when he needs to study for exams, so good storage and a desk area are both key.
How do I tackle the changing tastes of teens?
When choosing teenage boys bedroom ideas, bear in mind that young teenage tastes will change as they get older so it might be a good idea to go for a wall colour that's easy to live with and update the look with accessories, rather than having to redecorate every couple of years.
Of course if you're happy to redecorate – or, better still, your teenager is happy to do it themselves! - then let them be as adventurous with paint colours as they like. After all, it's only paint and easy enough to paint over when the time comes for a more grown-up scheme.
What should a 13 year old have in their room?
Every teenage boy bedroom needs the following three things, according to Sabrina and Aude.
1) Comfortable Bed - A comfortable and appropriately sized bed is essential for a teenager's bedroom. It's a place for rest, relaxation, hanging out with friends and sometimes even studying. A quality mattress and cosy bedding are key for a good night's sleep. You can also incorporate throw pillows and blankets to make the bed a comfortable and inviting space.
2) Workspace - a functional workspace is crucial for schoolwork, projects, and personal interests. This could be a desk with a comfortable chair, good lighting, and storage space for books, supplies, and a computer. An organized workspace helps teenagers stay focused and productive.
3) Storage Space - in order to try and keep the room tidy, provide teenagers with adequate storage that may help them on the way to achieving a tidy room that is attainable. To keep as many items out of sight as possible invest in some closed storage, whether that is a chest of drawers, boxes or built-in wardrobes, anything that has a door or a drawer that can be closed will always allow for mess to remain out of sight.
So, there we have it: a list of teenage boy bedroom ideas to make your life (and decorating choices) easier for you.
And, if they do decide they want all-black everything, try to breathe easy. Monochrome is, after all, very big right now...
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