Turn a Loft or Garage into a World of Their Own

Everyone needs their own space, from the youngest family member to the oldest. This is especially true of teenagers. As they mature and begin to change from childhood into that of adult, most teenagers are on a quest for self-discovery. They have a deep need to express their own individuality, and socialize more frequently with peers their same age.

Though most parents understand their growing child's need for a little distance from time to time, it can also be a time of troubled concern. Where are they, who are they hanging out with, what are they doing? This is the perfect time to roll your sleeves up, grab your teen by the hand, and turn the empty loft or garage into an inviting environment for your child and their friends.

By letting your teenager help with renovations, decorating, and color scheme, you help ensure the makeover from loft or garage to teen hangout will be a success. Not only will the project itself provide quality time with your youngster, but it will go a long way in demonstrating that you care, and understand their needs.

It doesn't have to be an expensive venture. With a little creativity, and by making careful choices when it comes to room furnishings you can achieve what you and your child were aiming for, on much less money than anticipated.

After making a clean sweep of the area, stand back and assess what you have to work with. Will you paint the walls, or just give them a good cleaning and add posters and hangings? If you decide to paint, what color? If you plan on adding bold, bright furnishings you'll probably want the wall color understated.

Lighting is also important. For table games or reading it is important that the ceiling fixture have full spectrum lighting to reduce eye strain. Lava, fiber optic, lightning bolt generators, or strobe-type lamps are fun. They add special atmosphere to the room, come in a variety of colors, and create enough light for listening to music or playing video or computer games.

Fill the room with fun activities that teens enjoy. Choices include arcade, video, and computer games, ping pong, pool, and air hockey, a small table for playing cards, chess, checkers, or board games, a pinball machine, or an electric dart board. Your teenager is sure to have many suggestions for entertainment activities.

Music is a must for any teenager's retreat, such as a CD player with an assortment of CDs. Of course, for the sake of you and your neighbors, there will need to be a clear-cut definition of music considered too loud. A maximum volume level at which music can be played without the use of headphones will have to be established.

Seating and accent furnishings should also be fun. Bean bag chairs are perfect. They are comfortable, portable, teen-vogue, and affordable. They also stand up to use in this type environment much better than most other seating choices.

They are available in a wide assortment of colors, prints, and materials. Beanbags made from denim, in a tie-dye design or fake animal fur, ones resembling sports balls, or beanbags bearing a favored college insignia are all good candidates. Let your teenager select the ones he or she prefers.

By helping your teenager create a "world of their own," where they can socialize with friends and hang out weekdays after homework is complete, you help bridge the (dreaded) generation gap. You also create a safe but fun environment for your child that helps to keep them off the street.