Transforming Your Daughter's Bedroom from Girlish to a Teenager's Paradise

As your daughter grows and becomes a teenager, her "little girl" ways and ideas will become a thing of the past.  She will begin to mature and she might desire to shed any evidence that she was once a little girl who played with dolls. Now, she's becoming more aware of life while growing older, and her bedroom is a place she can proudly call her own.

Making the Transition

It's very difficult for many parents to accept the transition from little baby girl to teenage daughter.  Changing the bedroom decor for your daughter is the perfect way to show your daughter that you accept her for who she is, and you accept the fact that she's growing up. 

While changing the decor in her bedroom, you'll be able to better understand the changes that are taking  place in her life and develop a closer relationship.

Allow Your Daughter's Input

While some parents might be tempted to change the decor while their daughter's away at school as a surprise, this might not be a good idea.  Your daughter might appreciate her new room more if she has input in the decor, arrangements, new furniture, etc.  Keeping her in the dark at this time of her life could bring disaster if she's not pleased with the room, both emotionally and financially (for you).

Instead of surprising her with a total makeover when she arrives home from school, surprise her on a birthday or at Christmas with a decor idea sheet that you've carefully put together for her room.  From this idea sheet, you and your daughter can work together to create a room decor she'll love throughout her teenage years.  Having a decor idea sheet in advance will enable you to stay within budget, and also keep your daughter on track while choosing decor items.  The key is to allow her to make some decisions within the "realistic" range of decor ideas that you've set before her.

How to Create a Decor Idea Sheet

In order to create an idea sheet for your daughter's room, you'll need to plan a budget, write down the measurements of the room in general and also the size of specific areas of the room where furniture might be placed.  Write down every piece of existing furniture in the room.  Some of the current furniture can be used in the new decor.  Try to think of ideas to use the current furniture before making a list of new items.  For example, you might want to keep a dresser and paint it another color to match the new decor.  Or, you might need to keep your daughter's bed , but replace only a headboard or buy a new sheet and comforter set.  This depends on your budget and your daughter's bedroom needs.

Next, make a list of items that can be sold at a garage sale.  This can be another project for you and your daughter to help pay for her new bedroom decor.

Once you've established a plan for either using or removing the old furniture, you're ready to develop a plan of bringing in the new.  Below is a list of possible decor items that can transform your daughter's bedroom.

Paint

If you are able to paint the room yourself, you will save money.  Your daughter can choose what type and color of paint she wants, and help with the painting if you choose to do it yourself. Hiring a professional painter is another option if you're not able to paint it yourself.

Desk for Homework and Study

A desk is something every teenager needs.  It's a place where she can quietly do homework, read and study or do other activities that require writing or drawing.  A computer desk might also be necessary if she has a computer.  The key is to find a desk that meets her needs and will match her decor.  If she already had a desk as a little girl, it's probably too small for her now, and her legs probably don't still fit under it!  So, be sure to find a desk that's just right for her.

Entertainment Center

Depending on the size of your daughter's room, an entertainment center might be an option.  If your daughter has a stereo, television, etc., an entertainment center would be a great way to organize all these things and save space.

Wall Cabinets and Book Shelves

Does your daughter's room have a bare wall available?  Wall cabinets or book shelves are practical for filling bare wall space.  Choose cabinets or shelves that are sturdy, matching her room decor, and within your daughter's reach.

Bedroom Decor Accessories

Once the new furniture is in place, your daughter's room decor can be enhanced with some simple accessories to create the look and feel she desires.  Some great items that really add to a room are jewelry boxes, lamps , throw blankets or rugs, hope chests, decorative throw pillows, knick knacks, and wall paintings.

Old Things as Keepsakes

You might not want to throw everything old away. If your daughter has dolls, figurines or stuffed animals from her childhood, you can suggest a "collectibles" section or a "memories" section for one corner of her room if there's enough space.  Let her know the value of keeping some things for many years.  For instance, some dolls  that were released in the late seventies are now worth hundreds of dollars because they were pulled from the market for whatever reason.  If she doesn't have space in her room for these collectibles, maybe there's enough space in a walk-in closet or cabinet.

Creating a bedroom decor that fits your daughter's likes and personality is a terrific gift for a girl who's suddenly growing up.  She'll appreciate your ideas and efforts.  The decor project not only gives you an opportunity to spend quality time with your daughter, but also an open door to form a closer relationship. Decorating can be a fun experience for the entire family.

More Child and Baby Room Decor Ideas
Baby Nursery Decor Themes for the New Mommy - Your baby will come home to a delightful room decor with these decorating tips for a baby nursery.	Preserve Your Child's Portraits with Decorative Picture Frames - Picture frames help make a picture stand out so use them in your room decor for a child.