Of the children surveyed,
the youngest, ages 8 to
10, expressed the greatest
desire for more grown-up
furniture, as well as a
change in the colors and
accessories in their bedrooms.
Older children, ages 11
to 14, declared their need
for additional pieces to
add to their rooms.
“Furniture manufacturers
have addressed both of these
childhood concerns,”
says Hirschhaut. “Not
only is there a tremendous
selection for kids, but
some of the most popular
collections are those that
offer additional pieces
as the child grows older,
such as versatile storage
pieces and armoires for
housing televisions and
electronics.
The difference between boys
and girls may first become
evident when it comes to
decorating their rooms.
According to the survey,
girls get their decorating
ideas from magazines and
at the mall, while boys
get ideas from themselves
and from friends. Other
influences young people
listen to include parents
and television. And, when
it comes to spending time
in their rooms, the contrasts
continue. Girls study, read
and listen to music, while
boys watch television, play
video games and hang out
with friends.
When shopping for furniture
with their tween, parents
will be surprised by the
wide array of choices designed
to meet the diverse needs
of today’s families
and youth. Some of the current
trends include:
•Use of varied woods,
veneers and decorative finishes
resulting in more style
choices than ever for youth
bedrooms.
•Creative storage
solutions to house computers,
televisions, game stations
and the multitude of accessories
tweens love.
•Upholstery scaled
for youth rooms and available
in a variety of colors and
fabrics, from bright, trendy
suedes to soft, subtle toiles.
Decorating doesn’t
have to be a family feud.
In fact, bringing out the
designer in your child can
be a fun, quality-time experience.
Using the following tips,
parents and tweens can collaborate
to develop a furniture style
that pleases both.
•Team Spirit—
Don’t leave your child
out of the furniture selection
and decorating process.
Make their opinion count
on the fun stuff, such as
color and accessories.
•Do Your Homework—
Spend a rainy day flipping
through home, teen trend
and decorating magazines.
Encourage your child to
show you what he likes.
Tear out the pages, and
keep a folder of the ideas
that appeal to him.
•Don’t Forget
the Eraser— Begin
by editing your child’s
room. Moving out things
that no longer fit into
his lifestyle, making room
for the new furnishings
and determining top priorities.
•Write a Wish List—
Decide what is more important.
Do you need a bed or computer
workstation, or want an
upholstered chair or nightstand?
•Accessories Express!—
Lamps, artwork, area rugs,
throw pillows and picture
frames are a wonderful way
for a child to make a statement
about himself.
“These years are a
time of expression and self-discovery,
and what better place to
do that than in the style
of their very own rooms,”
says Hirschhaut.
