Inevitably, there comes that day when your teenager declares “I hate my room. Why can’t I get new furniture and paint my walls the way all my friends’ rooms look?”

Maybe your fifteen-year-old daughter wants a shabby chic bedroom with faded old chintz sofa and curtains. Or maybe she would prefer a retro look with bright colors and some of your old 70s album covers on the wall. Is your son a sports fan or does he prefer music? Outgoing or more reserved? Perhaps your son wants his room to look like a basketball court or maybe graffiti is more his style.

Regardless, it is important to remember that it’s their own space, and the decor needs to reflect their personality and desire to be independent.

In both these images, bedding captures the transformation. Bedding is a very personal choice for your teenager. He might want an animal print bedspread or something in black velvet. Or she might like retro 70’s bright flowers on her sheets. This is a great way to add color and personality to a room without making any permanent changes to the walls.

Adding accents will give the room more interest and personality. A few fun ideas for accent items include funky chairs, pillows, area rugs and wall art. This is where your teenager can really make the bedroom an expression of his or her personality so encourage them to pick things they are really into.

Let me know what changes you are making to your teens bedroom. More tips.