The tween and teen years are a time when young girls are always looking for interesting ways to express themselves. While it’s important to support their budding individuality, the thought of a complete bedroom makeover can be daunting, as well as costly. 

Here is a teen bedroom makeover plan that is really budget friendly. Your daughter will love the idea of creating a hang out place for her friends right in your home. Give her room a theme of its own by starting with a great looking photo mural of her choice. Have her choose the bedroom theme based on her unique interests. You won’t have to encourage her to be creative!

The theme can be anything she thinks is cool, and this can range from cows to castles! For simplicity sake, this article will use Hawaii as the theme. First, help her find the perfect photo mural, complete with palm trees, sandy beach, and tropical sea. Prepare the designated wall and install the photo wall mural on a lazy Saturday afternoon. All the photo murals at www.ArtisticHomeowner.com hang easily, just like traditional wallpaper. Don’t forget to enlist the help of your daughter and her friends. You’re sure to have a memorable experience, and the girls will start to know right away that your home is a cool place to hang out!

Use the Hawaii photo mural as the bedroom’s focal point. Now, use smaller accent pieces to develop the theme and accessorize. You can head straight to your own basement or attic for props. Don’t forget to check out yard sales and even the Salvation Army for funky junk. Dollar stores are also a treasure trove for accessories.

Great old furniture pieces can be revamped for the cause. Wicker chairs and end tables are traditionally “beachy”. Spray paint the furniture white to freshen it up. You could also use actual beach chairs.
Accessorize an old mirror by hot gluing shells around the edges. Do the same to customize a hand mirror. Add shimmery bead curtains in place of regular curtains for a funky look. Hang flower leis from the corners of a headboard or drape from a lampshade. Use grass hula skirts in place of a traditional bed skirt.

If you don’t already have a rug, you might try an inexpensive indoor/outdoor carpet. This kind of carpet is easy to clean up if soda or snacks get spilled. Large floor cushions or bean bag chairs are great for hanging out in. Add brightly colored, stackable milk crates for storing CDs, videos, and books. Drape fisherman’s netting from the ceiling for a fun, nautical feel. Throw a few inflatable beach balls and a plastic shovel and pail in the net!

With just a few easy touches like those suggested here, you can give your daughter a room she will think is awesome. She will love her room’s new look. She will want to hang at home with her friends–mission accomplished! Now it’s time to celebrate. Invite a few of her friends for a beach party sleepover.

Great job, Mom and Dad; give yourselves a pat on the back! This project was done well and easily within your decorating budget. What to do with the leftover cash? Well, Little Brother would love an outer space-themed bedroom…

Looking for an interesting theme for your bedroom? Why not delve into the exotic world of tropical themes, and use Hawaiian décor to create your own personal paradise.

If you are a more conservative decorator, or have never decorated in a theme before, a Hawaiian or island theme may seem a little excessive for your bedroom. However, in actuality, because there are so many elements to Hawaiian décor, you can make your bedroom as extravagant or basic as you want.

The following are some ideas for you to think about when putting together such a theme for your bedroom:

Walls – There are many ways you can color your walls. If you would like to keep it simple, a clean neutral shade of brown such as sand or a light taupe, or a warm white are excellent paint choices. For those who would prefer a more dynamic wall, consider painting the wall a bright but soft yellow, blue or green.

On the other hand, if you are feeling creative, you could paint a beach wall mural, or purchase a ready made mural, such as a Hawaiian sunset, and paste it on the wall. In addition, don’t forget, there are always palm tree, palm leaf, and floral wallpaper if you like prints.

Floors – Deep red-brown, chestnut, or sand colored wood floors are the perfect compliment for any Hawaiian décor. If hard wood floors are out of your budget, consider laminate. Conversely, if carpet is preferred, a nice light or dark shade of brown, ocean blue, sea green or light green are all ideal choices.

Doors and Moldings – These elements of the room should be colored in a dark and rich brown such as oak or cherry to blend nicely with the rest of the room.

Window treatments – The best window treatments for Hawaiian décor are wooden shutters, or bamboo blinds. You can leave these window treatments as is, or you can provide them with a little more oomph by adding a delicate white sheer curtain.

Lighting – A wood ceiling fan, especially one with blades in the shape of palm leaves, is ideal for the Hawaiian theme. If a ceiling fan is out of the question, opt for any other basic ceiling light, as your goal is to not make the ceiling light a focal point of the room. Hula dancer lamps, palm tree lamps, or pineapple lamps are also fun décor pieces for bedside tables or end tables.

Bedding – In regards to bedding, you essentially have two options. Either choose a solid color for your quilt or comforter, or choose a print. If you choose a solid color, you can add printed throw pillows to dress up your bed. However, if you choose a print, such as orchids or palm leaves, make sure you accent throw pillows and walls with solid colors. It is imperative that the room doesn’t carry too many prints or it will look to busy and intimidating.

Furniture – Wood furniture is definitely the way to go. If you cannot obtain solid wood furniture, opt for bamboo, or dark faux wood furniture. That being said, don’t overload your space with furniture, as your goal is to create an open space. Therefore, make sure you include all essential furniture pieces first (I.E. bed, dresser, chest of drawers and bedside table). If you still have room than you can add any other furniture such as end tables, sitting chair, shelves, armoire, etc.

Accessories – Other Hawaiian décor you may wish to add to the room include:

• Palm plant (real or artificial)

• Vase of artificial orchids

• Wall tapestries of palm trees, orchids or palm leaves

• Authentic Hawaiian art

• Pictures of palm trees, orchids, a beach, Hawaiian architecture, hula girl, or actual framed photographs taken in Hawaii, etc. Note: wooden frames are best for pictures or wall art.

• Area rug with flower or palm leaf

• Plain or decorative bamboo or wooden screen

• Throw pillows with floral or palm leaf pattern.

• Bamboo chair

When it comes to using Hawaiian décor for your bedroom, there are plenty of options to choose from. Your decisions will be based on your budget and your own personal taste. Therefore, make sure you shop around and look for different items before making any final decisions. Finally, trust your own judgment and don’t be afraid to be creative when putting together your bedroom. Take your time, and have fun!