If You Build It They Will Come: Teen Hang-Out Space
Hi Friends! I’m Kristin, interior designer, mom of three, Oreo cookie lover, and….owner of a tween daughter. Since my oldest daughter turned 10 we quickly realized that “tweens” (and eventually my teens) crave their own identity, space, and style. And I think most of us parents want to have the “fun” house: the one all of the kids want to come to. (And where we can keep an eye out on things).
I know in my house I’m always looking for ways to want my kids to WANT to stay…and invite their friends over. Great snacks are probably the number the one to keep those tweens and teens nearby. By the second best way?
Give your teens a place of their own to hang out.
Decorate a Teen’s Hang Out Space with Online Interior Design
Recently a California Mom came to me with the same issue. They had a space at the top of the stairs they wanted to turn into their kid’s hang out space. And she wanted a teen friendly look, but that was still sophisticated for them to grown into. She purchased a “Small Space” Package and I started designing away.
With Postbox Designs, one thing that I do that is pretty different than a lot of other E-Designers, is I create TWO totally different designs. I create the first design, then send you all of the drawings to get your feedback and thoughts. I have found it is a LOT easier for my clients to tell me what they like/don’t like when they have something specific in front of them. Then I create your totally different, second design. Both designs are created to mix-and-match so you can choose your favorite design…or combine them. So let’s check out both designs and grab some ideas for your own teen hang out space!
5 Tips for a Teen Hang Out Space: Design #1
And here is the first design I created for her:
What ways can you make a teen hang out space different than a Playroom or a Living Room? Here are 5 Tips to Create a Space just for Tween or Teens:
Teen Hang Out Space Tip #1: Make It Grown Up (But Fun)
The last thing any tween or teen wants is a space that feels babyish, or screams “kid space”. So I tend to decorate these spaces with a grown-up look…then sprinkle in a few fun things. I want these teens to feel like we are creating their space as we would a grown-up. So a lot of things items I would specify for an adult’s Living room-with modern, streamlined pieces in neutral colors.
But then I did a few twists to make it appeal more to a tween: while the loveseat is modern looking, it is in a fun aqua color. The artwork is modern, but fun, and I added in this pop of pink with these pink glass vases. Sequins and fur pillows are fun, but are still in neutral colors so they don’t scream “kid” decor.
Teen Hang Out Space Tip #2: Use Inexpensive Decor Items
BHG
I always suggest investing your money into your FURNITURE. You want well-made pieces that will last, and hold up to teenagers not-so-neat lifestyle. But teen interests come and go with the day, so I like to add in inexpensive decor items that can easily be swapped out in the future. In the Mood Board above, this pink lamp (#7) and girly pillows (#10 and #11) are all Target finds. And the artwork (#3 and #4) were just a few dollars from Etsy. In a few years, you can swap out just these few items for a whole different look and you’re out less than $100.
Teen Hang Out Space Tip #3: Think About What the Hang Out Room is Used For
Pottery Barn Teen
Lounging and reading? Add in lots of comfy seating and oversized pillows. Bean bags are an inexpensive alternative.
TV and Movie Watching? They will think you are the coolest (but will never admit it), if you actually include a media center that feels grown-up (like this Pottery Barn unit above), instead of just throwing a TV on the floor. This one has plenty of room for video games, DVDs, or other storage.
Gaming? Include lots of comfy floor seating (think floor pillows or poufs). So whether the friends are coming over to play, or it is Fortnight alone, make sure to have a place to sit AND a place to store everything away out of sight (for your sake too).
Teen Hang Out Space Ideas: Version #2
But before we get to the last two tips, I wanted to introduce you to the SECOND version of this teen hang out room! After sending my client the first version, there were a lot of things she loved (the neutral colors, the pops of glam metal, and the modern looking furniture), but she also wanted to make a few changes. She wanted to make the hang out space less “girly” so everyone in the family could enjoy it. So for Version #2 I took out the aqua and pink, and used a neutral palette, and some different fun pops. Check out this new version:
Again, a lot of these items might surprise you as being very “grown up”, but adding some teen pops like this “Hi” pillow (#12), geometric rug (#3), Relax sign (#9), and the gold balloon dog (#6) still make it fun. And P.S. I’m absolutely snagging that balloon dog for MY own tween daughter’s bedroom!
Teen Hang Out Space Tip #4: Add Some Space for the Friends
Pottery Barn Teen
Because teens are wrapped up entirely in their friends at this stage in the game, make sure you can room when friends come over. In this Pottery Barn Teen space, a couple of oversized chair/beanbags do the trick.
In my California Teen Hangout Space makeover, we only had room for a small loveseat as the main sitting area, but we added some small, moveable seating options (#2 and #10) for friends. And when not in use, they can go against the wall.
Teen Hang Out Space Tip #5: Let Them Have Buy In (That You are OK With!)
Because what is a teen’s least favorite thing in the world? Having their PARENTS tell them what to do. So choose the items that are important to you (maybe a neutral sofa, or an entertainment system that works for the whole family), and then let THEM sprinkle in their own personality.
I think one of the best ways of letting a teen have control over the space, is letting them choose the artwork. I love Etsy as a place for inexpensive artwork, that your teen can pick something as unique and custom as them. Another way is to create a Gallery Wall (#8) on the Mood Board above. You choose the frames you like, then let them have control over filling them with pictures of friends or artwork they love.
Or I love this idea from Apartment Therapy: Use old fashioned polaroids or a site like Printiki to easily print off Instgram photos, and put them on a wall as temporary art. If you give your teen complete control over a small area of the space, they will feel oh-so grown up, and come across as a (kinda sorta) cool parent for giving it to them.
Other Kid Hang Out Spaces and Playroom Design Ideas
I hope today’s blog post gave you some ideas for the teens in your life. But what if you are hanging out with a slightly younger crowd? If your kids are more on the toddler/grade school level, you are going to have a whole different set of needs. So I also wanted to share a few more designs with you! If you are looking for some Playroom Design Ideas, here are a few I think you will love:
The Room I Stole From my Client: A Playroom for the Girls!
Farmhouse Playroom + Craft Room Makeover
7 Steps to the Perfect Playroom (That Works for Boys & Girls)
Teen Bedroom Design Ideas
And if it is your tween or teen’s bedroom space you are needing ideas for, I have one more source for ya! Recently I shared a client project where I designed their daughter’s nursery BUT we also did a more grown-up Guest Bedroom that would also work beautifully for a tween or teen girl’s bedroom. Check it out and get some ideas to make her feel grown up while still showing her fun side. (And as a bonus, you can check out the Glam Modern Master Bedroom for the grown-ups!):
3 Bedroom Makeovers: Teen Girl, Nursery, and Modern Master Bedroom
How to Work With Me Via Online Interior Design
But what if you are still feeling overwhelmed and don’t know where to start? Or you don’t have the time to do the HomeGoods buy-and-return cycle? I can custom design your room for you, hand-selecting every item in the room. Then I created a click-and-buy Shopping List for you. I package up all of your drawings, instructions, shopping lists, and material samples into a Postbox, then I mail your Room-Inside-A-Box right to your mailbox.
You can see HOW IT WORKS and check out all of my ROOM PACKAGES & PRICING. Still have questions? I would love to chat with you! You can always send me a note at kristin@postboxdesigns.com and we can talk all about Y-O-U.
Cheers,
Kristin
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