Makeover Takeover- Preteen Edition
A Coastal Chic Tween Haven: Transforming Spaces with MASH Habitat Interiors
March has arrived, and in the Lone Star State, Spring is making its unpredictable entrance – a mix of chilly mornings and scorching afternoons. It's the season of rebirth, renewal, and for my daughter, a room makeover. The challenge? Transitioning from a little girl's haven to a preppy, teen, coastal chic retreat. As the founder of MASH Habitat Interiors, I gladly accepted the challenge. Little did I know, working with my own family would provide a unique set of hurdles.
Navigating through Pinterest boards filled with tween room ideas for girls, we embarked on a journey to transform her space. The mission was clear – to create a haven that was both preppy and coastal, a harmonious blend of sophistication and youthful exuberance. From choosing tween girl bedroom furniture to incorporating the right accessories, every step was crucial in crafting a space that resonated with her evolving taste.
Trusting the Process: A Design Odyssey
Transforming any space, especially one as personal as a bedroom, requires patience and trust in the design process. My daughter, armed with Pinterest inspiration, had her heart set on specific teen bedroom ideas. The challenge was to blend her vision seamlessly with my design expertise.
As we delved into the process, it became apparent that her aesthetic leaned towards a preppy, teen vibe with a coastal twist-NOT beachy. Clean lines, pop of color, and a hint of the sea – this was the blueprint. A palette of whites, blues, and greens took center stage, setting the tone for a room that would embrace the freshness of Spring year-round.
Inspo Photo
Our Preteen is quite the little designer herself and drew up this mood board as an inspiration for what she was looking for. I say we checked all the boxes!
INSPO VS FINAL REVEAL
LET’S GET GOING!
First things first we had to clean out the room and rip up the old carpet. Seeing that it was a pretty small room that wasn’t too challenging. We were hoping to find concrete underneath that we could stain or paint but to our surprise it was gross old tile that was falling apart. New carpet it is!
BEFORE
Tween Girl Bedroom Ideas for Small Rooms: Maximizing Space
One of the hurdles we faced was the size of the room. Tweens, often caught in that delicate space between childhood and adolescence, need a room that accommodates their evolving needs. Incorporating tween bedroom ideas for small rooms was the key to making the most of the available space.
Multi-functional furniture became our ally in this endeavor. A bed with hidden storage under it served as a cozy spot for lounging, while also providing a discreet solution for stashing away belongings.
Headboard + Footboard Design
Custom Headboard, Footboard and Bedskirt: We were challenged with making a custom headboard and footboard for this preteen to accomadate her under bed storage needs as well as giving her the aesthetic she desired. With the budget for this project being a bit on the smaller side we got creative with the materials we used. Being Interior Designers, we thought through our resources. There is always extra fabric after projects are finished so we reached out to an industry partner at Day Drapery and she gladly donated some of those extras. It worked out perfect for the custom headboard, footboard and bedskirt. We then went to the drawing board and created a one of a kind shape.
We got creative with the shape by tracing a large bowl for the arch and then measured out our straight edges to make sure they were all equal.
Then we got “jiggy with it!” and cut it out with the jig saw.
After that we sanded off the rough areas to give us a nice clean edge to work with.
Added the foam with some glue.
Cut off the excess foam to the shape and size of the headboard with our turkey carver.
Now for the sewing! Joy with The Aspiring Home Interiors got to work on her machine! She added a matching single welt cording to give a nice finished look.
Upcycling old pieces: We were working with some existing pieces to save some money and used a little paint to give them new life!
BEFORE
AFTER
Coastal Chic Tween or Teen Girl Bedroom with Preppy Vibes
The preppy aesthetic, characterized by clean lines, classic patterns, and a touch of sophistication, took center stage in the design. We opted for a timeless white comforter adorned with blush and blue pillows and throws – a nod to coastal chic vibes. The walls, painted a serene taupe/gray (On the Rocks by Sherwin Williams), brought in a breath of fresh air, mirroring the tranquility of a sandy beach.
To inject a preppy flair into the room, we selected fun art prints with crisp lines and classic finishes. A gray desk with gold accents became the perfect study spot that worked as a vanity as well, while a soft, ivory chair with wood accents added a touch of chic charm. The room was coming together – a preppy, teen sanctuary with a coastal twist.
Tween or Teen Bedroom Accessories: Personalizing the Space
No room is complete without the finishing touches – the accessories that make it uniquely yours. In the realm of tween bedroom accessories, personalization is key. From framed pictures of friends and family, a frog lamp painted hot pink, to a gallery wall filled with her favorite prints and some beautiful faux stems, these details added a layer of personality to the space.
We incorporated chic, coastal inspired elements like a natural, woven chandelier and a wood and newly painted metal side table with basket storage. A surfer girl and ocean print mounted on the wall served as both a statement piece and a nod to her growing interests. It was all about striking the right balance between sophistication and the youthful energy that defines the tween and teen years.
The Final Touch: LED string lights. Whether draped along the bed frame, woven through shelves, or delicately strung around mirrors, these twinkling treasures add an enchanting touch to any space. Watch as their room comes alive with a playful glow, creating the perfect ambiance for cozy reading nooks, late-night chats with friends, or simply dreaming the night away. With endless color options and customizable patterns, LED string lights offer a fun and versatile way to express your preteen's unique style and personality. Let their imagination soar as they bask in the soft, radiant glow of their own little sanctuary.
The Unveiling: A Coastal Chic Tween Sanctuary
After weeks of collaboration, compromise, and creativity, the room was ready for its big reveal. The transformation from a little girl's haven to a preppy, teen, coastal chic sanctuary was nothing short of magical. The blend of colors, the synergy of styles, and the incorporation of her personality into every corner made it a space she could truly call her own.
The lesson learned in this design odyssey was that the journey is as important as the destination. From the initial resistance to trusting the process, my daughter now understood the art of balancing personal taste with design expertise. The result? A room that not only reflected her evolving style but also provided a timeless backdrop for the years to come.
