As those of you with teenagers very well know, decorating a teen bedroom isn’t the easiest thing in the world. With some teens, it’s not a matter of figuring out what exactly they want; it’s whether you can afford it or not. Other teenagers just don’t care what their room looks like. For those of you who keep coming up short on theme ideas for your teenager’s bedroom, here are some great ideas to consider.

Theme Ideas for a Teen Girl’s Bedroom
For some teenage girls, it’s all about the color scheme when it comes to their bedroom. Pink and brown, turquoise and brown, and purple and white are all very popular color schemes for a teen girl’s bedroom. These color schemes can be found in a variety of accessories and fabrics that will look great in your daughter’s room.

Many teen girls want a glamorous décor in their bedroom. This theme doesn’t have to be as expensive as it sounds. You should be able to easily find accessories, furniture, and other décor items that fit the theme without breaking your budget. Anything with jeweled or glitter accents will work. A fake glass chandelier or a leopard-print lamp on the nightstand will create an instant glamorous effect in the room.

If glamour isn’t your daughter’s thing, consider a modern or funky style. If you go with this style, you will definitely need some input from your teenager. Bright colors are a hallmark of modern style, along with unusual or contemporary artwork, designs, and patterns on the walls. You don’t want this bedroom theme to get too trendy and out there, however. After all, you don’t want your teen tiring of it within a few months.

Consider these other great theme ideas for your teen girl’s bedroom:

· French theme

· black-and-white theme

· stripes-and-shapes theme

· floral theme

· romantic theme

· cheerleading or dance theme

Theme Ideas for a Teen Boy’s Bedroom
Most teenage boys don’t tend to show much interest in their bedroom theme, throw in a couple of oak nightstands and wooden bookshelves and they’re satisfied, unless of course they are truly passionate about an activity or hobby. Chances are that your teenage boy will simply want to choose a color scheme for the room and then leave it at that. If this is the case, then suggest a color scheme that goes beyond black or blue. To add some more interest and color, consider other colors like turquoise, green, red, yellow, brown, and orange.

A sports-related décor is very popular amongst teenage boys. One way to go is with a general sports theme, or you might concentrate on just one sport, such as football or hockey. You could also decorate the room with their favorite professional or collegiate team. As long as you don’t go overboard and clutter the room with everything sports, sports themes tend to be a fairly easy decorating style.

A car theme is another popular bedroom idea. This theme can be implemented in a variety or ways, from an old classic car theme to a focus on current hot racing cars. You might want to hang framed pictures of cars on the walls or, if you’re really creative, paint a mural of a speedway.

Consider these other great teen boy décor ideas:

· music theme

· skateboarding theme

· technology theme

· surfing theme

· camouflage theme

· wilderness theme

Decorating a teen bedroom should be fun for both parents and their teenagers. Suggest some of these great theme ideas to your teenage son or daughter; you might just end up scoring some parent points with your teen.

You really can change the look of your bedroom without spending a fortune. A little creative thinking and planning can make a difference whether your working on a full project or just making a couple of changes.

Here’s how to get started:

Buy a few accessory pillows for $10 each (or less) in a new color palette. Take pillows of similar color, mix up the textures –like silk and chenille – and you’ve instantly go yourself a sophisticated monochromatic look. Try a romantic look with layers of pillows — large ones in the back and smaller ones up front.

A fresh coat of paint can make a huge difference in the look of room and its fairly inexpensive to do. Think repainting the entire room is too big of project? Then break it down by focusing and painting only one wall and experimenting with a single area of the room. Want to create some texture with your older more detailed closet doors? Then paint the closet’s frame in a neutral color and the inset in a dark one. Giving a room a new life can be as simple as painting the furniture. Give an old dresser a faux antique finish or sponge paint a cabinet.

A new headboard can be rather expensive. Try something new and creative like getting an inexpensive wrought iron or picket fence at a flea market. Bed skirts make most beds look soft and sophisticated and are an inexpensive decorating investment. They’re available in several color, textures and patterns. By using a soft and neutral color you can get the most in both beauty and versatility. You do not want it to be the center of attention, but you do want it to accent your bed.

Window treatments are easier than people think. Want to try something inexpensive and not too dramatic? Try swag curtains. It will really add a feminine touch to the room. You can place bicycle or plants in the ceiling. Or opt for just a blind and an inexpensive garland or floral accent at the top of the window. We also love the look of a simple rod with funky finials and ready-made unlined drapes. Ikea, Kmart, Target, JCPenney and Pottery Barn carry a large selection of all of these items.

Do have a canopy or four-poster bed that could use a little sprucing up? Drape fabric over the poles and let a little of the fabric fall to floor to achieve that beautiful *puddle* effect. To get this effect all you need to do is add an extra 2 feet to the fabric before it’s cut. Candles are a decorative item that many people forget to use. While most people go with white candles, since they’re the most sophisticated, consider clustering colored candles to create a focal point on a night stand or dresser. Even numbers tend to be boring so go for odd numbered candle groupings. Try different heights and gather them as an altar on a shelf.

Hanging framed artwork and posters or mirrors is inexpensive and can go a long way in changing the look of room, but make sure it doesn’t clash with your current décor. Keep it simple with a neutral colored frame – black, gold, brown or white. For an easy decorating idea try simple wall shelves. Collections are perfect for displaying on a wall shelf, but try to stay away from small items. Loading shelves with a lot of tiny knick-knacks will make your shelf appear too busy. Try glass bottles for a minimal look (adorn with fresh flowers), or even use a shelf to prop up framed paintings or photos.

Sue  has almost 20 years of experience in the home furnishings and interior decorating industry. She owns and manages a popular furniture store in Los Angeles. They specialize in Mission style and Arts & Crafts bedroom, office and dining room wood furniture. Her store offers a line of furniture that not only looks great, but is built using Old World craftsmanship. Whether your trying to find Amish bedroom furniture or American made solid oak dining sets, they carry the largest selection at prices that won’t break the bank.