Teenage Bedrooms
As teenagers finding our way through the busy world of high school, family, and friends, it can be hard to find a space indeed for you, which is your own; however, for those lucky to have our rooms, a teenager's bedroom offers the ultimate freedom to be free. With mismatched posters dotting the walls, photo strips of friends on door frames, and childhood stuffed animals sandwiched in between pillows, a teenager's bedroom is a portal into its inhabitant's complex yet delicate mind. Teenagers don't always make sense, which is reflected in our rooms — often messy and all over the place. After all, our brains don't fully develop until the mid-20s, so why not embrace this silliness for a little longer? I photographed some of my friends in their bedrooms to see their world. While this is not an expansive collection of teenage bedrooms, I hope these rooms show you that adding another photo to your wall is never too late, and stick a rubber ducky up there too while you’re at it.
Kara’s room
bubbly, sweet, and full of pink.
Kara’s bedroom on the Upper West Side of Manhattan is just like her: bubbly, sweet, and full of pink. With caricature drawings on the wall, flower garlands, and little llamas on her desk, there is no aspect of Kara’s room that isn’t authentic to herself. “My room is the main character,” she often jokes. Listen to our short conversation below for more on how Kara made her room into her own haven.
Sadie’s room
vintage, detailed, and offbeat.
Sadie’s bedroom in Murray Hill in Manhattan is just like hers: vintage, detailed, and offbeat. Her favorite musicians, Fiona Apple, Phoebe Bridgers, and Mazzy Star, adorn her walls like saints. Beaded necklaces, cat sketches, and photos her grandmother took of produce swirl around anyone who walks in, letting them know that they are in a one-of-a-kind space. Sadie also has an impressive collection of subway illustrations and posters. Listen to her tell how she won a free subway poster that now hangs up in her room.
Sanai’s room
detailed, colorful and filled with words
My room in Babylon, Long Island is just like me: detailed, colorful, and filled with words. I moved into this room during the summer before my junior year and immediately went to work to make it feel like my own. One of my best decisions was painting the walls sage green. At the time I was very into feng shui; sage green brings peace and serenity. Two years later, I can attest that that this room has brought nothing but joy in my life. I will let my room speak for itself but listen to me talk a bit more about why I love it here.
