Excerpts

Redo Your RoomFace it -- your bedroom is the only place you can call your own. It should reflect your ideology, personality, and charm. But who chose the furniture, wallpaper, and paint? Were these stylistic atrocities forced on you by clueless decorators whose ideas of cool were ballerina figurines and tiger-striped throw pillows? Reclaim this precious space by redecorating. All it takes to transform your bedroom is some ingenuity and a little (very little) cash. Even if a complete overhaul isn't possible right now, you can style your space with personal touches to make it unmistakably yours.How to Do It1. First, clean up. It's a drag, but that's the only way to get a good look at the space. To redesign, you need some room to experiment. Free up space by moving out things you no longer want or need. (Keep your "out pile" around until you are totally finished because you may re-use that stuff for other purposes.)2. Once you have a partially blank slate, start putting your stamp on your stomping grounds. Think about who you are and make your design reflect that person. If you're a sports nut, pick out memorabilia from your favorite team. Music lovers can frame old record albums and create a grid of classic covers. Maps of the world and a cool collection of international postcards work for travel lovers and adventure seekers.143. After redecorating, revisit the stuff you took out. Can you do something to wake up that old bookshelf or nightstand? Try throwing colorful fabrics on chipped tabletops, or sanding and staining old furniture to make it look new.4. When you're done, responsibly throw away, donate, sell, or recycle whatever you can't use.Now, your room is your own personal creative space and the refuge from the outside world that it is supposed to be! Excerpted from 97 Things to Do Before You Finish High School by Steven Jenkins, Erika Stalder All rights reserved by the original copyright owners. Excerpts are provided for display purposes only and may not be reproduced, reprinted or distributed without the written permission of the publisher.