Home visit: a teen bedroom for study and play
When you’re a teenager, there’s no space quite like your bedroom. Somewhere to express yourself, study, sleep and hang out. Discover this teen’s personal yet practical room…
My sanctuary
“I’ve lived in this room ever since I was small, so it’s grown with me,” says Malin (15). “It used to be gray walls and red everything. Now I love blue. Ocean blue – it feels like a lagoon.” The functional parts of her room, such as adjustable task lamps for late-night reading, do their job. While fun parts, like open shelves and a magnetic display rack, let Malin show the things she loves most.
My favorite place is my big bed! Before, I had a bunk so it was harder to relax here. Now I love to sit and read, and go online.”
Malin
Space to hang out
Just because it’s a teen hideaway doesn’t mean it’s unsociable. The addition of some lightweight, flexible seating creates a breakout area for when friends come over. Add extra comfort by taking a few cushions from the bed to lean against. Malin and her older sister, Stine (20), are pretty close, and as Stine has the smaller bedroom next door, they usually hang out together here.
My study space isn’t just for school work. I also use it for myself, and the things that I want to do, like painting and scrapbooking.”
Malin
Easy personal touches
Make it easy for teens to take ownership of their decor. Noticeboards are ideal for displaying photos, postcards and the things they find inspiring. This one’s magnetic, so it’s easy to switch things around as their tastes change. In Malin’s room, the walls are put to creative use with a combination of EKET cabinets – inside each she creates mini displays of her keepsakes.
Study space, sorted
In a teen’s bedroom, organizing is as important as displaying. Malin’s corner desk is custom-built by her dad, Bernd. The benefit of a corner desk is the extra space below for storage drawers and above for desktop organizers to keep everything in order. The KVISSLE letter tray is the perfect fit for assignment folders and has a compartment for each day of the school week.
Time to discover your identity
When we visited, Malin told stylist Carl that a mirror would make her bedroom complete. A shared family bathroom, like Malin’s, can get overcrowded, leaving no personal space for a teen’s quest to discover themselves and experiment with their identity. Having her own mirror gives Malin more privacy and time in the morning to spend getting ready.
We love to see our customers get creative with our products. Go for it! But please note that altering or modifying IKEA products so they can no longer be re-sold or used for their original purpose, means the IKEA commercial guarantees and your right to return the products will be lost.
Made by
Interior stylist: Carl Braganza
Photographer: Nato Welton
