Teen Rooms on the Cheap!

How to decorate a teens bedroom is one of the most common questions Ireceive. Especially for those on a budget, this can seem like adaunting task! Never fear, The Budget Decorator is here!

Teen rooms are different for kids rooms in that they should be treatedmore like an adult space, but with a fun flair. Involve your child andcome up with a theme that helps to express who they are. (NOT what youwant for them!) Be sure to give the theme a name, even is itssomething like "Modern Plush in Blue", or "CountryPrincess" - whateverwill give it life!

Let your teen choose their colors, but give them some guidance. Buy adecorating magazine, and have them choose a color theme out of thepages, or surf decorating sites on the internet. That way, they feelthey have chosen themselves, but you are assured you two have chosen aproven color scheme.

Now, use these quick ideas for transforming your teens room, on thecheap!

1.PAINT!!! Perhaps a teens room is the most important room you couldconsider painting. Teens are very sensitive to color, and they aremuch more free with their sense of adventure. Use a bolder color onthe wall behind the bed, and you have instant drama and a great focalpoint! (Teens LOVE instant gratification, the paint will be one oftheir favorite parts of the decorating project!) Cost of paint: around$12.

2. Bedding. The bed is usually the focal point of the room, and afavorite hangout spot for teens to read, do their fingernails, talk onthe phone - so it definitely deserves some attention. An easy waytoupdate bedding on a budget is to create covers for the old comforters.You can do this quite easily with two flat sheets the same beddingsize as the comforter. Flat sheets are cheap, you can pick up twinsize at your local discount store for less than $5! Sew the sheetswrong side together on three side leaving one short side open. Turnright side out, the add Velcro, ribbons, or snaps to the inside of theshort end. Insert the old comforter, and close! Easy, quick, andcheap! Throw pillows can easily be made out of flat sheets as well.Try using bright, funky colors on the bedding to make a realstatement. Cost of four twin sheets for comforter cover andpillow - $20.

3. Windows. Light control and privacy can best be met in a teens roomswith vinyl mini blinds - they are cheap, and easily replaceable. Ifanextra boost of color or softness is desired, add simple curtain panelsover the blinds. Keep it simple here, fussiness is rarely a qualityteens are looking for in their rooms. Remember those cheap sheets?These are great for sewing curtains because of their large size - nopiecing panels of fabric together. You also don't need to worryaboutquality of fabric as much as color, after all, the blinds are reallyproviding the light control. Cost of sheets or blinds - less than$10.

4. Accessories. Punch up a teens room with some funky details to adddrama and style. Pick up some cool (and maybe a little tacky) fringeor beading from the clearance table at the craft store, and gluearound the bottom edge of the lampshade, the hems of the curtains,even onto shelf edging. Save all those free cd's from Aol and thelike, and then turn them over to the clean side and glue to the frameof a mirror, or to cover a closet door. Glue together in anoverlapping fashion to make faux frames for all your kids inevitableposters. Pick up wooden letters from the craft store in theirinitials, or to create a significant word or phrase, then paint one ofthe brighter accent colors of the room and hang over the bed, window,or doorway. Use old sports equipment picked up at a yard sale ascurtain rods, hat racks, or magazine holders. Even hung on the wall asan art grouping, sports memorabilia can be meaningful for a sportsbuff. Total cost - can be done for less than $15.

5. Finally, personality. Inject your child's own specialpersonalityinto his special place. Hang those ribbons and certificates, frame afew personal photos of family vacations, or find a shelf for thosespecial stuffed animals they aren't quite ready to part with justyet.

Use this opportunity to recognize your childs individual gifts, andcelebrate them. Cost - not a thing. As the commercial goes;memories - priceless.

Kathy Wilson is an author, columnist, and editor of The BudgetDecorator. For hundreds of free budget decorating ideas, and to signup for her free online newsletter and free ebook, visit her athttp://www.TheBudgetDecorator.com