Our children grow up so fast! One minute they are learning how to ride a bike and the next minute they are no longer children at all. They are tweens and teenagers. They are in a class all by themselves. They even have their own language. What used to be cool or cute is now “totes asorbs”. And her Disney themed princess room is no longer cool or cute. Or totes adorbs.

Is it time to retire her castle bed?  Give your not-so-little princess an amazing “grown-up” bedroom design that reflects her personality, her wish list, and most importantly, your budget! But where does one begin? Start with what you’ve got. If you have furniture that is functional but is no longer her style, a coat of paint can go a long way. Check out these one-coat paints & lacquers that are perfect for a first time DIY-er. (They are actually really amazing!)

But don’t start painting, yet! Grab your kids and your laptop, smart phone or tablet and head on over to Houzz.com. Let them get involved in the design process by creating their own ideabooks. Do you want to replicate the look of this bookcase? Save it to your ideabook and piece your room together on paper (I mean on an iPad) before you make any major purchases or changes to your space.

Sleep. Teenagers sleep a lot. It’s what they do. They also have sleep overs. Consider this when planning your space. Upgrade that twin bed to a full and maximize your space with additional sleeping options. This bedroom includes a window bench with storage that can also double up as sleeping quarters.

Bunk beds CAN be mature and sophisticated. For shared rooms, bunk beds can be the answer to your storage issues and shared space woes. Sheer panels can soften the space and give a level of privacy without compromising on style.

Study. Every kid needs a quiet place to study, do homework and kill time watching videos on YouTube. Make sure to include a workspace in your design! This small bedroom features a custom built-in bed and wall unit with a wardrobe, bookshelves and desktop.

The kids are not going to live with you forever. Once they have fled the nest, chances are you will convert their bedroom into a guest bedroom, home office, or a combination of the two. Invest in a great desk!

Storage. Let’s face it: Kids have a lot of stuff! Before giving this space a makeover, purge everything they have grown out of. Toys, games, clothes and furniture that they haven’t used in at least a year-get rid of it! Storage is an issue in many homes with children, regardless of their age. One way to keep their clutter out of sight is by investing in functional storage solutions. Ikea has got great options that work well with many different spaces and budgets. This bedframe with storage ($199.00) and bookshelf headboard ($130.00) eliminates the need for nightstands and frees up that much needed floor space.

Style. It’s ALL about STYLE! Does she want all four walls to be hot pink, where you prefer a neutral color? Meet in the middle with a fun accent wall. We’ve got some great design ideas including removable, re-positionable wallpaper. For even more design inspiration, check out our Wallpaper Ideabook on Houzz.

You may not be ready for her to grow up, but if she ready for a more mature bedroom that is totes adorbs, stay calm on the walls and go nuts with the accessories! Pops of color from throw pillows, rugs and bedding can instantly bring a neutral colored room to life.

In addition to sharing design inspiration, tips, ideas and trends, the pros at Design Connection, Inc. gives interior design advice! For in-person design advice, stop by our studio for a complimentary design consultation. From selecting the perfect paint color to creating custom furniture to masterminding an entirely new floor plan, we do it all, big and small. Contact us today!