How to design a room for a teenager

By Mihir Sanganee, Design Director, Designsmith

Published: Thu 26 Mar 2020, 11:00 PM

Last updated: Thu 1 Jul 2021, 3:59 PM

Teenage times are very unusual times in one's life - you're old enough to take on more responsibility, but too young to have any credibility. It is a time of transition from one stage of life to the other, a time when a lot of young adults have a challenging time fitting into their roles in society. At this seemingly anxious junction in their lives, their rooms become their sanctuaries; a place where they can escape the confusing and conforming world of grown-ups. It is not only a room, it's an extension of their personality - a three-dimensional space where they can express their identity. It's a place that houses their childhood nostalgia and their dreams for future; it's a reflection of how they see themselves in an ever-changing world.
#Flex(-ability) in space
A teenager's bedroom is more than just a space to sleep. As they begin exploring their independence, having a space where they can hang out, study and lounge with friends is almost as important as sleep. A teenager's bedroom is their private domain - it is a bedroom, a study room, and a social gathering area all rolled into one. A self-contained unit of sorts, a home within a home. Fitting all these areas in a room would be a creative challenge, and when designing such a room, understanding their needs and usage is paramount. An integrated study with shelving and storage to save up on space. A corkboard to hang their trending polaroid photos or magnetic dry erase walls can be used to effectively manage academic resources. A small bench by the bedside or by the windowsill can be used as space for lounging when they have company or even open shelving to showcase some cool kicks.
Design trends
Teenage room design used to be more gender-conformed back in the day with stereotypes, and pinks and blues leading the way. In today's time, however, these lines are blurred with increasing exposure to social media, open dialogue between functionality and design and a stronger sense of independence in young adults. Teenagers today prefer utility blended with an expression of their personality. Japanese and Scandinavian minimalism are preferred design styles that achieve both these goals along with a dash of graphics and prints that break the space. But let's be real, teenagers and organised rooms are a rare combination - for their evolving needs, we should consider smart storage options, dressers, shelving, under-bed storage bins, storage benches and ottomans. Your teenager may still be finding his or her feet in the world, but their room should inspire confidence and reflect the comfort they need to grow into happy adults.
wknd@khaleejtimes.com