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Get to know which colours and patterns they prefer and involve them in the shopping for decorative items (curtains, beddings, carpet, wallpaper, even paint) so that the final product of the decoration job will be a reflection of their personality and tastes. You can start by giving him or her an estimate of how much you have to spend on the job and then going window shopping with them for items in view of that figure. If, as is often the case, they would rather not be seen loitering about with mom or dad, you can do the shopping online together. Let them choose the colour scheme for the room and select matching beddings and wall accessories. Encourage them to be practical in their choices but do not restrict their choices. And if your budget is very tight, encourage them to work for the extra money or save it from their pocket money.

When it comes to the actual painting, do it together. You can let them involve a couple of friends just to make it more fun, with you as the supervisor. The idea here is to give your son or daughter a greater sense of ownership or pride on the room. Otherwise you can simply get a professional painter to do the job. After doing the painting, you can leave the arrangement of the furniture up to your teen’s discretion. Also let them go wild with posters and eccentric rug colours, just as long as they remain inoffensive.

Whatever you and your teen decide on, remember to pay attention to the rules of thumb of decor. Try to maximise on space in the centre of the room. To this end built-in shelves and wardrobes would be better getting them from the furniture store. Teens, especially if they are outgoing, want to express themselves in many colours. Try to impress upon them the importance of keeping colours few, but don’t force your way, remember it is their own private retreat. Also try to maximise the light in the room by making expansive use of white and other light colours. Having said this, don’t be afraid to let your kids experiment. If they pick a theme from their favourite movie or musician and want to have it as the template for the decoration, help them make it work. They will be more willing to keep the room tidy this way.