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Writer's pictureKrista Collard
Feb 5, 20213 min read

3 Quirky Ideas to Create Your Tween’s Dream Room

Updated: Mar 5, 2021


Image Source | Sarah Hinton Design Studio

Do you have a son or daughter navigating the space between child and teen? Well, then you probably have a tween on your hands! As your child begins to grow into their teenage years, both their needs and their tastes are likely to change, which is why a bedroom makeover could be the perfect 2021 present. Think of your tween as your client: you want to let them choose their dream room, but keep the options tailored and limited. Here’s 3 fun ideas to get you started.



1. Make a DIY headboard

A close up of a queen sized bed. The headboard is a large arch with layers like a rainbow, all in the same velvet green fabric. The bed had white sheets and pillows on it with dark green cushions, a long dusty pink cushion and a matching dusty pink blanket. Two orange/pink bedside tables rest either side of the bed, they are cylindrical with grooved lines around them. On the right one rests a small white pot with a green plant, on the left there is a bowl and an abstract ornament. The wall behind the bed is painted white and a light is attached on the left above the bed with two black light arms.

Image Source | Margaret Wright

Via Domino


For a fun project you can work on together, consider making a fun DIY headboard unique to your tween’s personality and tastes. The photo above showcases a super chic headboard made with pool noodles and fabric. You’d never guess it was home-made, right?! Depending on your tween’s tastes, you can use this tutorial with many different fabrics for any look their heart desires.


A close up of part of a bed with a large light wood peg board behind it. On the pegboard are multiple floating shelves with pot plants, books and knick knacks on them. The bed has white sheets, pillows and doona with colourful green and pink cushions.

Image Source | Claire Zinnecker Design


If this style isn’t to your tween’s liking, there’s plenty of other options out there. I personally love this pegboard headboard, which is the perfect combination of function and form. Utilising a peg board or bookshelf as a headboard is a great way to display items, hang photos, and have necessities within easy reach. Speaking of hanging photos…



2. Have fun with photos and quotes

A close up of the side of a bed. It is covered in a soft cream blanket with a round blush pink cushion on top. The wall behind is painted white with string lights hanging on the wall and polaroid photos attached with clips.

Image Source | Urban Outfitters


This is a good tip for any photos, but is especially great for kids: go through any family videos and take stills of funny faces and happy moments. Get your tween’s favourites printed and they can then be hung throughout their room. Get creative by utilising a peg board, putting some in frames, making a gallery wall, or stringing them up like old-fashioned polaroids.


The side of a room. The floor is beige carpet with a round abstract black and white rug on the left. The wall is painted white with two large framed posters. The one on the left has gold lettering saying 'pray for surf'; the other is a photo of a street with palm trees. Both are in white frames. The ceiling above is slanted and painted in a soft blue. A large white glowing neon sign hangs from the ceiling. It depicts a surfer hand symbol. There is a simple white arm chair on the right with wooden arms.

Image Source | Three Birds Renovations


For an extra artistic element, find great quotes from favourite tv shows or movies and have these printed and framed. Our family is obsessed with Apple TV's Ted Lasso, so I'm trying to narrow down which of his numerous epic quotes with make it on the wall of my 13 year old stepson's new bedroom. Make sure that any photos or quotes can be easily changed out for when your tween finds their next favourite show or decides they no longer like a photo.



3. Make the space functional & stylish

Two glass cases hang on a wall on floating timber shelves. They hold various sports memorabilia including a football. Two short skateboards hang vertically to the right of the shelves. The wall is covered in an abstract black and white line art depicting waves. The floor is beige with a soft blue rug. beige curtains can be seen on the left and a tall tripod lamp with a white square lampshade is in the left corner. A woven bag sits next to the lamp.

Image Source | The LifeStyled Company

Remember that your tweens will be teens soon enough. As tempting as it is to clutch tightly to them as children, as they get bigger they'll need both form and function. Make sure to incorporate storage and space to suit their interests and hobbies, whether it be skateboarding, sports, makeup, reading, gaming etc.


An industrial style bedroom. The floor is painted orange and a large industrial aeroplane graphic is on the slanted right wall. The wall is painted white and the graphic is black and white. The edge of a blue chair is visible on the right with a white cushion and footrest. A black painted wooden loft bed sits against the far wall with a ladder attached. Under the loft there is a step up and a desk area.

Image Source | Home Edit

You’ll also want to ensure that there is space in your tween’s room for study, which will become more important as they move through high school (even if they don’t think so!). One fun idea is to add in a loft bed with a desk underneath, which creates zones within the space and even feels like a cool studio apartment.


Do you need a hand styling your tween’s dream room? Contact me today to arrange a consultation and we’ll have your tween saying ‘awesome’ in no time!



A millennial woman, residential interior designer based on the Lower North Shore of Sydney, Australia. She is wearing a white and grey tweed blazer with a white cami, jeans and black framed glasses. Her hair is dark blonde and she is smiling with her legs crossed and her arm rested on a marble and walnut side table surrounded by native Australian flowers and plants. A watercolour abstract painting in a matted and brass frame hangs on the wall behind her as do charcoal drapes.


Krista Collard Interiors is a full service design-build firm focusing on creating timeless spaces that honour sustainability and functionality across the Greater Sydney area.


Ready to transform your home? Get started by booking a complimentary Discovery Call with us!


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