Paint your teen's closet.
Painting a closet, themed to your teen's interests, is an inexpensive way to add some personality to a room. Your drama queen or dedicated dancer will require a mirror as part of the plan. Your sidewalk surfer will appreciate the nod to his favorite sports gear. And the practical result might be a closet that is appealing enough to stay reasonably clean. If not, you can always close the decorated door. Does this Spark an idea?
The Diva
Paint a gold dressing room star on the outside of the closet door. Stencil the teen's name, the words Dressing Room, or Diva under the star. Paint the inside of the door and the closet floor a bright color. Attach a full-length mirror to the inside door so it can be used to view outfits when the door is open. Paint the walls and ceiling a light color so the contents of the closet can be seen easily. Paint a "Costumes" sign on a wooden craft plaque and hang it from the inside door frame so it is visible when the door is open but does not interfere with closing the closet door. Use matching satin hangers or gold-painted wooden hangers for an extra glamorous touch.
The Dancer
Paint the walls and ceiling of the closet white. Then sponge-paint the ceiling pale blue, leaving white areas for clouds. Sponge or color wash the walls in pastel shades of pink, lavender, pale green or yellow. You can buy small, inexpensive jars of sample paint colors--one or two of these should be enough to faux paint each wall. Cut out flowers from wrapping paper or use large watercolor-like flower stickers and "scatter" all over the closet floor. Spray a coat of clear enamel on and around the flowers. Tape a large poster of a favorite ballet dancer or your teen in her dance costume to the inside door of the closet and paint a fancy gold frame around it. Fix a full-length mirror to the outside of the door and hang a pair of used toe shoes from a flower hook attached above the mirror.
The Dude
Pick two or three colors from a favorite long board for trim. Paint the inside of the closet washed-out denim blue. Get this effect by sponging light blue paint over white or using burlap fabric with a rough weave to lightly press blue paint on white walls. A ceiling of dark gray thunder clouds and silver lightning streaks makes a dynamic "sky." (Paint the ceiling first to avoid drips on the walls.) Paint the clothes rod one of the trim colors to match the skateboard and finish with a coat of clear lacquer. Attach several large hooks painted in different contrasting trim colors to the inside of the door for hanging clothes or a laundry bag. On the outside of the door, trace the long board and paint, or let your teen paint, the board design right on the door. The door can be embellished with personal graffiti--use paint markers or Sharpies to write on the door around the skateboard painting.
Tags: inside door, your teen, walls ceiling, blue paint, closet door