How to Decorate a Preteen Bedroom on a Budget

Your little girl is growing up and wants to redo her room. If you're on a budget, you may not think you have the money to pull this off.

The good news is that even on the smallest budget, you can make a difference in your child's room. Let's take a closer look at how to decorate a preteen bedroom on a budget.

Set a Budget

First things first. You need to set a budget and stick to it. Even if you can only afford to spend $100, knowing what you can afford lets you know where you should spend your money.

For example, on a small budget, you might know that $30 would go for a gallon of paint, which will make a big impact on how the room looks, and $40 would go to furniture. That would leave $20 for accessories and a $10 buffer.

You always want to have a buffer just in case you find a must-have piece that is slightly over the amount allotted to that expense.

Make a List of Needed Items

Sit down with your daughter and talk about what she'd like to see in the room. Does she want more lamps, a reading chair, or a new desk? Make a list of items and measurements of the room.

You want to make sure that the pieces you buy will fit in the room. If you have a spot for her desk, measure the area so you don't buy a desk that's too big. You can then assign a price point to each category of items.

Hit Thrift Stores, Yard Sales, and Flea Markets

With list in hand, hit all the thrift stores, yard sales, and flea markets that you can. You want to take your daughter with you so that she gets the items she wants. Shopping at these places first will save you so much money.

Remember that items can be redone to suit her needs. For example, if you find a desk that is an ugly color, but solid wood, you can always repaint it.

DIY

There are so many things you can do yourself. For example, if your preteen wants a photo board, make it yourself. You can also make the curtains, pillows, and other items in the room.

You can even redo some of the items she already has by adding new fabric or painting it. Speaking of painting, do the painting yourself to save money. A gallon of paint only costs around $30, but will be the biggest change in the room.

Finish Up at Discount Department Stores

Last, but not least, finish up your shopping in discount department stores. Hit the Dollar Tree for small accessories. Visit Big Lots for artwork. Shop at Walmart for bookshelves. You'll save a lot of money by sticking to these inexpensive stores.

You don't have to spend a fortune to decorate a preteen's bedroom. With these tips, she'll get the room she wants and you'll stick to your budget.