35 items in this article 8 items on sale! Photo: Touchstone Pictures

Whether you’re using it to study, watch Cheer, or sleep (or watch Cheer when you should be sleeping), your bedroom is one of the few places where you can fully express yourself. But decorating a small space can be a challenge, especially if you’re trying to transition from the bubblegum pink bedroom of your childhood. So we asked 16 intimidatingly cool teens about the bedding, lighting, wall art, seating, and tchotchkes they love. Read on for their 35 picks, which include fuzzy chairs, vintage movie posters, and a ton of fairy lights.

Best lighting

For inexpensive mood lighting, many of the teens we talked to said twinkle lights are a must. “They’ve gotten really popular from TikTok and social media, but despite that, they are still a nice accessory and are just fun,” explains 17-year-old Hayley Bruner. “Different colored lights can match different moods and times of the day, and it adds something unique to my room when it feels kind of boring.” Kennedy Garcia , 15, has twinkle lights strung around her ceiling that are remote-controlled, can be set to different colors, and can blink or strobe. Eighteen-year-old Jenna Wasserman likes this rainbow set from MINGER, which she says makes “you feel like you are having a party by yourself or with friends.” It Bluetooth-syncs with music, blinks in rhythm, and “helps relieve stress,” she says. Sixteen-year-old actor and model Brooke Dylan Stein is also planning on installing LED lights around her entire ceiling: “They should be voice activated to go on and off, dim, change color, and even pulse to music.”

Two of the teens we talked to are into neon lights as an alternative to fairy lights. “I love my pink unicorn neon light,” says 13-year-old model Parys B, adding that they cast the perfect glow for selfie-taking. Wasserman agrees, saying that her neon lightning bolt not only gives her an energy boost but is also great when she’s having a dance party with friends.

Best bedding

The teens we spoke to said that having a cozy bed is super important when it comes to unwinding. Yantis loves this wavy quilt because “the color and texture is perfect with soft, cream, faux-fur pillows.”

The Pet Pillow Custom Dog Photo Pillow From $30 From $30 If you’re a dog person (or have a friend who’s into personalized presents), Wasserman loves her pillow of her dog Cooper. “This was a gift given to me when I went away to college,” she says. “I get to show him off to my friends when they come to visit.” From $30 at The Pet Pillow Buy

Best seating

Urban Shop Saucer Chair $114 $114 When it comes to seating, a lot of the teens we spoke to were in agreement: the furrier and fuzzier, the better. Parys loves her saucer chair, which provides the perfect place to lounge and read. “You can find them in furry materials and in all different colors,” she adds. Yantis, who got her saucer chair from Pottery Barn Teen, says she loves that it “folds up and is lightweight, but still sturdy and comfortable.” $114 at Amazon Buy $114 at Amazon Buy

Lovesac Citysac $900 Yantis is obsessed with her Lovesac bean bag chair that is practically her second bed. “I seriously live for this sack of cozy, warm paradise; it’s the most comfortable bean bag ever!” $900 at Lovesac Buy

Urban Outfitters Reema Back Cushion $98 Cech says that “comfy floor seating is a must.” She loves this back cushion because “it takes up less space than a love seat,” while still providing additional seating that can be moved around the room when she has friends over. $98 at Urban Outfitters Buy

Best posters and wall art

La Piscine Movie Poster $18 When it comes to decorating your wall, 17-year-old Ava Marzulli suggests hunting down vintage-looking movie posters. She found this print of 1969 psychological thriller La Piscine digging through eBay. “I chose the Japanese reproduction of the poster because the design was more eye-catching than the U.S. version,” she explains. $18 at eBay Buy

Diana Ross Poster $11 $11 If you’re not a cinephile, 16-year-old musician Aricel DuBois papers her walls in music posters, including icons Jimi Hendrix, Diana Ross, and Kali Uchis. “They make me happy when I see them and remind me to stay inspired artistically as I get ready to go on with my day,” she says. Her tip: “Take album art from old records and put those up, because they often contain photos that aren’t available as posters.” $11 at eBay Buy

Mac DeMarco Zine $18 This Mac DeMarco zine — one of Rizopoulos’s favorite things in her room — was actually discovered by her mom at the MoMa PS1 fair. The artist, Stefan Marx, followed DeMarco and his band on a tour and drew him along the way, she explains. “My goal at the moment is to get Mac DeMarco’s signature on it the next time I see him live.” $18 at Nieves Books Buy

Best accent pieces

PASTELRUGLOVE Vintage Turkish Rug $180 $180 “I have a big Turkish-style rug in my room that my mom gave me,” says Marzulli, adding that she likes the graphic pattern it brings to her room. She suggests looking for recycled vintage textiles online, as opposed to buying new ones, to reduce waste. $180 at Etsy Buy

AMERICAN PLANT EXCHANGE Ficus Ginseng $27 “Plants are all over my room because they really clear the air and are very refreshing to look at every day, especially because I’m always on my phone or computer,” explains Rizopoulos. Nineteen-year-old influencer Hannah Meloche–who has over 1 million Instagram followers–agrees: “Plants make your room feel more earthy and alive, especially if it’s still winter.” Rizopoulos has a thriving jungle in her room that includes a Chinese money tree, snake plant, and a little ginseng ficus (that we think looks like a tiny woodland humanoid). $27 at Amazon Buy $27 at Amazon Buy

ZakkaMart DIY Totoro Terrarium Craft Kit $40 “I used to have terrariums in my room when I was younger, and I always liked the idea of making a little world,” says Marzullii. While she prefers to DIY hers by adding different tchotchkes to her collection of plants and succulents, she recommends this kit if you’re looking for something a little more beginner-friendly. $40 at Etsy Buy

Urban Outfitters Cecily Planter + Stand $59 $59 “You can totally bring new, fresh energy into a room by just adding some plants (even if they are fake, which I recommend because it is easier on upkeep and pocketbook),” says 19-year-old actress Madison Thompson. If you’re looking for the “perfect home for your new plant stand” she suggests this “sleek and minimalistic” cream-colored planter. Because of its wooden base it can work as both a table center piece or on the floor depending on the height of your plant. $59 at Urban Outfitters Buy

Crosley Radio Cruiser Deluxe Turntable $70 $70 Seventeen-year-old Zoe Woolrich’s prized possession is her record collection that she’s been working on building up over the past few years. Old-school tech like records, cassettes, and film cameras have all really made a comeback, she tells us. Plus, not only do they serve an obvious function (playing music), but they also add a fun design element to your room. “Personally, I think it is so much nicer and more fulfilling than having everything on your phone,” she says, adding that it’s like having a “physical playlist of music that I listen to every day.” She keeps both a Crosley record player and a Victrola boombox with a cassette player in her room. $70 at Nordstrom Buy $70 at Bloomingdale's Buy

The Citrine Circle Selenite Spiral Wand $9 $9 Both Marzulli and DuBois started collecting crystals after being gifted them by friends. DuBois says her collection is a way to add some nature to her surroundings and brings an earthy vibe to her room. If you’re looking for a specific place to start your own collection, Marzulli loves selenite, which is a healing crystal known for its ability to clear energy, which she says to keep on the windowsill to keep unwanted energy out of your space. $9 at Etsy Buy

Rizopoulos also keeps a small altar in her room, where she likes to burn incense and candles.

Urban Outfitters Trigem Tabletop Jewelry Stand $29 $29 “I have always struggled with keeping track of my jewelry, whether it be loosing little earring backs and rings or having my necklaces tangle together,” says Thomson. This jewelry stand lets you show off all your jewelry and statements pieces while also keeping your necklace, bracelets, and rings organized, she promises $29 at Urban Outfitters Buy

UO Female Form Vase $16 $16 Bruner also loves this “cool and minimalistic” female form vase because it is “relatively cheap” and “comes in multiple skin tones.” Plus, “having a nice vase reminds me to get fresh flowers for my room,” she says. $16 at Urban Outfitters Buy

Trans is Beautiful Stickers $1 $1 To add an “artistic look” to your room, Lipson is a big fan of these $1 colorful, Keith Harring–style stickers. They can be stuck anywhere, from your wall to your laptop screen. Full disclosure: While they were made by her brother, she says, “they also carry an important message that I would want to be displayed,” regardless of her sibling loyalty. $1 at Depop Buy

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