Bold colors and groovy graphics were the starting points in this guy's room. First, a king-size headboard paired with a twin-size mattress placed lengthwise creates a hip "daybed" that offers extra storage. The short length of the piece keeps to the Asian-like simplicity needed in a smaller room.

The room's punchy palette comes from an abstract-style poster that hangs in the room's study area. The strong mix of colors -- including deep red, lime green, soft maize, and medium blue -- is eye-grabbing as well as practical. A teen or tween is less likely to tire of a scheme that includes several colors. Lighter colors can be pulled out into bedding and accents for a young boy and richer, deeper tones can replace them as he gets older.

 

Horizontal stripes of varying widths make the room look larger and add visual interest. Because a sliding glass door takes up precious wall space, storage shelves were added on one side of the bed, and a headboard with modern cubbies fills the space above.

Funky finishing touches such as sheer brown drapes, metallic accessories, and a large, modern light fixture add pizzazz to a room that functions well and looks good doing it.

 

Because the room has little wall space to accommodate a desk, a stand-alone full-size table was substituted, offering a handy place for a card game or homework. Bonus: When your son gets tired of the table, it's easily movable to any other room of the house!

 

A handy CD rack serves as storage and adds a sculptural touch to one of the room's walls.