Teenagers like freedom for expressing their tastes in decor

Press, 23 February 1989, Page 25

Teenagers like freedom for expressing their tastes in decor

The planning and decorating for a teenager’s bedroom is likely to be taken out of the hands of most parents, except for footing the bill. Now is probably the time for parents to bow out gracefully and let their independent teenagers have the freedom to express their tastes and ideas.

This approach will make for more harmonious living, though doubtless some parents will feel compelled to offer guidance about the effects of an unrealistic pet colour scheme such as Adrian Mole’s black walls. Parents can take comfort that at some future date a couple of coats of paint will restore the room to their tastes.

Provided the basic rules for furnishing the .nursery or child’s room have been followed, the furniture bought then will be versatile enough to accommodate the teenager’s needs. The shelves, drawers, lighting, chair and desk will . need few changes, except maybe for a new coat of paint. The carpet will hopefully have plenty of wear left injit.

Teenagers like to choose colours, curtains, bedcoverings and wall decorations. He or she will have definite ideas about how . the furniture should be organised and it may be moved several times a week. ,

Adequate storage space has never been more important than in a teenager’s room, said Colin Foggo, of Belle, Merivale. .

If there is plenty of shelving, drawers and somewhere to keep hobby and sports gear, the teenager has less excuse for being untidy. Parents can then set rules of tidiness.

Some teenagers prefer an immaculate room; others will drop their belongings on the floor inside the door, but what they have in common is a jealous

possessiveness about their space and belongings. Wire storage baskets, free-standing or Inside a wardrobe are "wonderful” for keeping a room tidy and look good too, Colin Foggo said. A big basket, painted drum or cylindrical container make an ideal home for skis, hockey sticks, cricket bats, tennis rackets or musical instruments and give the room a slightly casual look of organised clutter.. A lockable drawer for highly prized possessions is a welcome idea for some.

When it comes to choosing colours, teenagers opt for trendy ones. Black and white appeals to boys while girls have a preference for fresh colours. The usual colour rules apply — warm colours for cold rooms and vice versa, and avoidance of a monochromatic (one colour) colour scheme. Painted walls are probably the most practical, economcial and versatile. You can paint over wallpaper and the colour can be changed inexpensively. Most vinyl wallpaper can be painted over. First apply the paint to a small section of the paper to see if it adheres. It usually has a 99 per cent success rate. Two coats of paint will be needed. If the walls are clean and dry the paint can be put straight on with no preparation. Duvets and fitted sheets are the answer for teenagers with little inclination for bed making. Covers are easily washed. A trundle bed will be ready for visiting friends to stay the night. Somewhere to put a radio and perhaps a television set will be useful. The wall decorations are where the personality of the teenager will be most evident. A pinboard, clock watch or poster mounted on thin customwood with the edge painted black can add a touch a class amongst other precious bric-a-brac.