Neutral Teen Girl Bedroom Makeover
There is nothing quite like a bedroom makeover, especially when it is a surprise!
My oldest daughter, Grace, is 17 and heading into her senior year of high school. She recently moved down to a bedroom in our basement, leaving behind the room I had previously made over for her. You can see that bedroom makeover [here].
Her new room had slowly become a bit of a mishmash of furniture, bedding, and decor. It worked, but it did not feel finished or especially cozy. So when Grace left for camp for a week this summer, I told her I would give the room a makeover while she was gone.
And last week, it finally happened!
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Creating a Calm and Neutral Teen Bedroom
Before she left, Grace sent me several inspiration photos. Every room she saved had the same overall look: neutral, calm, cozy, and pretty. You can see the screenshots below that she found on Pinterest.
Thankfully, we were completely on the same page. I loved the idea of creating a peaceful bedroom where she could relax, study, and enjoy her senior year.
The goal was not to completely replace everything in the room. Instead, I wanted to pull together a collected space using a mix of:
- Items we already owned
- HomeGoods finds
- Amazon decor and curtains
- Thrift store treasures
- Vintage pieces from flea markets
Mixing old and new is always one of my favorite ways to decorate. It makes a room feel more personal and allows you to create a beautiful space without buying everything brand-new.
A Mother-Daughter Makeover Team
Of course, my mom came over to help me with the makeover. I truly could not have finished it without her!
We moved furniture, hung curtains, styled spaces, made the bed, and worked through a few unexpected decorating challenges. Having her there made the entire process so much more fun and helped us get everything finished before Grace came home.
Here are a few before pictures!
Our Creative Crawl Space Solution
One of the strangest features in the room was an off-center entrance to a crawl space located on the wall above her bed.
It was not exactly the focal point we wanted!
Since the opening was positioned unevenly, hanging a traditional piece of artwork over it would not have worked very well. Instead, we used upholstery nails to hang a neutral striped blanket over the area.
The blanket completely hides the crawl space entrance and now looks like a large fabric tapestry above the bed. It adds softness, texture, and a cozy layered look to the room.
Sometimes the most awkward parts of a room lead to the most creative decorating ideas!
The Finishing Touches
We kept the color palette soft and neutral, adding texture and interest through the bedding, pillows, curtains, vintage accessories, and artwork.
Here is a look at the room!
One of Grace’s favorite additions was the light-blocking curtains. Since her bedroom is in the basement, they help make the room feel extra cozy and are perfect for sleeping in—something I am sure she will appreciate during her senior year!
I will share and link as many of the room sources as I can, including the curtains and some of the Amazon finds. Many of the other pieces were items we already had or one-of-a-kind thrifted and vintage finds.
Her Reaction to the Room
The best part of any surprise makeover is seeing the reaction at the end.
Grace loved it!
The room finally feels calm, finished, and completely her. It is soft and pretty without feeling too young, making it the perfect bedroom for a teenage girl heading into her senior year.
And apparently, the makeover was a little too successful because now my younger daughter is asking when I am going to redo her room!
It looks like I may have another bedroom makeover in my future.
Neutral Teen Girl Bedroom Sources
I have gathered the available sources from Grace’s room below so you can easily shop the look.
- Light-blocking curtains from Amazon
- Curtain rod
- Bedding: bedspread ,shams, gingham quilt
- Decorative pillows: ETSY shop (similar here)
- Pillow inserts these are firm!
- Upholstery nails from Home Depot
- Neutral striped blanket from Home Goods (similar linked here)
- Lighting: battery operated set of two wicker bedside sconces
- Wall decor: mirror from Home Goods, bamboo hooks from flea markets
- Nightstands and baskets : Home Goods
- Additional Amazon finds: black standing mirror, similar hamper, record player, jewelry holder
- Dresser: Facebook Marketplace
- Gingham chair: Home Goods
- Gold and marble table: ARC thrift store
- Hatch Alarm
- Drawer organizers
- Rug: Home Goods
Many of the vintage and thrifted pieces are one of a kind, but I encourage you to check your local thrift stores, flea markets, and even other rooms in your home before buying something new. You may already have the perfect piece waiting to be used in a different way!
Would your teen choose a calm neutral bedroom, or would they prefer something with more color?
Let me know if you have any questions about something I forgot to mention!
