Give Your Preteen the Lead When Redecorating Her Bedroom

Sometimes it is hard to watch your little princess grow up and shed all of her little girl accouterments only to start flexing her independent muscles by wanting to design her bedroom in a more grown up style. Generally a preteen girl will have very specific ideas on what she wants in her room and how she wants it to look. While you may want to offer suggestions and guidance, this is a great place for a preteen to exercise a little independence.

Simple Furniture
Buy very basic furniture. Your preteen is entering the years where she will want to express herself, and much of that self-expression will take place in redecorating her bedroom. By buying basic furniture pieces like a bed, dresser and desk you set a good foundation for the room. Then she can change the look of the room with paint and accessories. Instead of buying the latest turquoise bedroom furniture, try painting a focal wall bright turquoise. This way your daughter has the latitude to try out new floor plans, designs and favorite colors. Buying new linens for the bed every several years is much better than buying an entire new room of furniture.

Including a desk in your daughter room may be a new addition to her furniture, and whether or not you include a computer is up to your discretion; however, good task lighting for doing her homework is an absolute necessity.

Accessories Show Preteen Style
The accessories make a preteen room. Let your daughter really show her style and creativity when it comes to accessories. If your daughter loves how her room looks, she is more likely to be happy about keeping it picked up and clean. So set a budget for rugs, lamps, pillows and bedding; and then not only is she learning how to decorate a room, but she is also learning how to handle her money.

Framing a poster and upholstering a bulletin board give these ordinary accessories a little polish, and they can be easily switched out as her style evolves.

Storage for Little Treasures
Keep in mind when you are selecting furniture to make sure that you are giving your daughter adequate storage. Clothes, shoes, accessories and little treasures abound in a preteen girl room. Organize her closet, include a wall of shelving with plastic containers, and remember to include under bed storage, and your daughter will be able to keep her room tidy and trendy.

Display Accomplishments
Preteens are developing right before your very eyes. Encourage her talents and interests by displaying awards and achievements on shelves or the wall. Displaying her accomplishments will help her build a secure sense of self without even trying.

As your preteen daughter grows up she will spend more and more time in her room being the master of her domain. Help her create a positive space where she can enjoy everything from doing homework to just hanging out with her friends.