Redo Your Room With a Makeover

Is your bedroom a reflection of who you are? Is it a cozy space where you can be yourself? Maybe it's time for a bedroom makeover. Even if you share a room, you have at least some space that’s just yours. That personal space can be your refuge when you’re having a bad day. It can be your go-to place to hang out with friends. Or it can be a showcase for your interests and passions. Right now when you look at your room, it may scream little kid whose mom decorated it. Or it could just be screaming “CLEAN ME!” Either way, if you’re reading this article, chances are your room could use a few personal touches that will help you reclaim your space as your own.

Step 1: Clean your room

The first step in redoing your room is to clean it. It’s the least fun step, but it’s also the most important. Normally when you clean your room, you may shove stuff into a drawer or closet or under the bed just to get it out of the way. We won’t judge you if you do. But this time, if something in your room doesn’t have a place to go, set it aside. When you redo your room, you’ll either have to make a place for it or choose to get rid of it.

With that in mind, don’t just clean your room, clean it out. Clear out the things you no longer want or need. For example, if your bed is currently covered in every stuffed animal you’ve ever known and loved, maybe it’s time to give those stuffies a new home in your closet. That will clear up your bed for hangouts with friends, homework time, or reading. 

Things you can think of putting into storage:

• Picture books
• Stuffed animals
• Old art projects
• Toys and games
• Clothes you’ve outgrown or don’t wear anymore
• Nursery themed pictures on the walls or window curtains
• Things that are broken or have missing pieces

Step 2: Figure out what you need for storage and functionality

Once your room is clean, hopefully you’ll have some empty space that’s ready to be filled. Next, look at what you’ve piled up that you don’t have a “home” for. If you have school papers everywhere, you’ll need a system for keeping homework and school supplies from taking over your room. Maybe it’s a desk and chair, or maybe it’s just a filing system with drawers if you do your homework on your bed. You may find you need a special place to keep your jewelry, sports equipment, trophies, or craft supplies. 

When you know what you need, ask your parents for ideas. They may have furniture, office organization items, or storage tubs in they’re not using that may suit your needs. If not, make a list of what you’ll need and figure out if you can afford to spend money on those items.

Step 3: Pick a theme

This is the fun part! You may already have an idea of how you want to decorate. Here are some ideas to get you started. 

Faux Fur

From faux (faux means fake in French) fur pillows, rugs, and blankets to chairs and even lampshades, there are so many ways you can bring the coziness of fluffy, fuzzy textures into your room. Add faux flameless candles to complete the cozy look. 

Twinkle Lights

You can get twinkle lights just about anywhere from drugstores and places like Target to dollar stores. There are many different styles, including ones that have light switches and ones that are battery-operated. If you get the plug-in lights, plug them into a power strip so you can turn them on and off by turning off the strip instead of plugging them in and out. You can get twinkle lights on a metal strand, regular Christmas bulbs, or bulbs in the shapes of fun things like cactus, unicorn, emojis, or planets. To complete the look, bring in tree branches or seashells. Note that outdoor branches may be covered in pesticides (chemicals) or actual pests. If you get branches, buy them from a craft store or flower shop to make sure they are clean and bug-free. 

Boho Scarf Magic 

Glamping is camping in style. Get groovy with draped scarves, big floor pillows, and a lava lamp. You can find inexpensive wall tapestries online at amazon.com or at big box stores like Target and Wal-Mart, or if you’re crafty, make your own tie-dye tapestry. 

Lounging around

Bean bags are back and better than ever with fun and funky designs. If you have a stuffed animal storage issue, check out this bean bag storage chair that can hold up to 100 stuffed animals and serve as functional, comfy seating for your room. Bean bag chairs also come covered in faux fur and in different prints, shapes, and textures.

Emojis All Over

Show how you really feel with an emoji-themed room including a bean bag chair, bedding, desk set, and more. You can even find a poop emoji beanbag chair at Bed, Bath and Beyond, if that's your thing!

Inspiration

Surround yourself with things that define you, from words stenciled on the walls to photos of friends. You can create a vision board or collage of things and words that help you keep you focused and inspired. A vision board is a great way to inspire you to stick with resolutions or a way to remind you of things and people that make you feel good.

Don’t forget the walls

Get crafty and create garlands or artwork to make your room even more personalized. Companies like Roommates Decor and Wallies make fun peel and stick designs that work like giant stickers. They come in many types and styles, like a chalkboard surface, inspiring words, colorful designs, tropical backgrounds, Star Wars, Pokemon, and Harry Potter themes, and framed artwork. Ask your parents before sticking anything onto the wall. Even though the websites claim the stickers don’t leave a mark, sometimes they do remove paint, especially on older walls where there are layers of paint or wallpaper underneath.

If you redo your room inexpensively, you can change it around as often as you’d like.

Have your say

Are you inspired to redo your room? What is your favorite style?