A Teenage Space for Work & Play

First his drivers license, and now Senior High…how is my baby boy all of a sudden at this point?! Everyone keeps telling us the all-important 11th grade is a doozy…intense classwork, SATs, college visits. All I can think is, ‘Only two more years before he’s gone.’ Followed by a giant lump in my throat.

We’ve been steadily working to finish his room, and I’ve been a bad blogger about sharing it! Since school is such a huge part of his life, we focused first on his work/study area, and even though his aesthetic is much different than mine, we’re both thrilled with the outcome.

ikea desk teenage boy room-31

Although he loves what I’ve done with the rest of the house (see it here), he prefers a cleaner, more utilitarian feel, with minimal color, so I let him dictate the design direction of the room. My goal was just to help him create an organized space he loves, and carve out an area conducive to learning. I want him to feel supported in all he does, especially when it comes to his goals and dreams.

He has a strong interest in engineering and loves building, so we turned to IKEA for inspiration on creating a custom desk area. First he sketched out what he wanted, and we found the pieces to make it happen!

ikea desk teenage boy room-31
Desk Chair | Pickle Pillow | Task Lamps | Wire Trash Basket | Desk Top | Desk Legs| Shelves | Brackets

boy and dog

We found the extra-long BARKABODA table top in the Kitchen area (it’s actually a countertop, so it can weather excessive use!), and immediately fell for the warm wood tone and herringbone pattern. A quick set of ADILS Legs (only $4 each!) easily converted it to a long desk. We did add a fifth leg to the middle for reinforcement.

The long desk helps fill the large wall, and allows for lots of room to spread out for projects.

hands on a keyboard

The HEKTAR Work Lamps fit his aesthetic perfectly, plus they have a built-in USB port for easy charging!

ikea desk teenage boy room-31

ikea desk teenage boy room-31

He wanted the wall to remain clean and minimal, so we opted for LACK Shelves in a similar dark wood tone, with matching EKBY VALTER Brackets.

ikea desk teenage boy room-31

ikea desk teenage boy room-31
Desk Chair | Pickle Pillow | Task Lamps | Wire Trash Basket | Desk Top | Desk Legs| Shelves | Brackets

Being a teenage boy, technology is high on his list of interests…he actually built this computer on his own! Thanks to the SIGNUM cable management rack, the excessive cords are contained and concealed under the desk.

ikea desk cord management
Cable Management

ikea desk teenage boy room-31
Pencil Cup

ikea desk teenage boy room-31

ikea desk teenage boy room-31
Desk Chair | Pickle Pillow | Task Lamps | Wire Trash Basket | Desk Top | Desk Legs| Shelves | Brackets

He loves it, and more often than not, you’ll find him right here watching videos, playing games, and soon enough, studying and doing homework again! It’s a space he feels both proud of, and helps him prepare for what’s ahead. #theresthatlumpagain

The rest of the room is almost complete, so stay tuned for a full reveal next month!

 

P.S….I found this perfect scarf yesterday (only $15!!)…true it’s 100-degrees now, but you’ll thank me in the Fall when you wear it with every last outfit!!

P.P.S…I added a nifty little Anniversary Sale edition of Sugarplum Picks in the sidebar, and am updating it with all my faves and best deals (like this jacket & these booties)! Find it here.

 

*This post is created in collaboration with IKEA. No matter my budget, IKEA always has an unbeatable selection of smart products for every living and work situation, so it was a natural fit when they asked me to be an official brand ambassador! Sing the praises of IKEA? That’s a no-brainer! Thank you for supporting Hi Sugarplum sponsors!

 

Leave a Comment

21 Comments

  1. Charmaine Ng | Architecture & Lifestyle Blog wrote:

    Why aren’t my parents bloggers too? I love the way you did your son’s room. I want a room like that!

    Charmaine Ng | Architecture & Lifestyle Blog
    http://charmainenyw.com

    Posted 7.18.17 Reply
  2. Sheaffer Sims wrote:

    What a great space! Well done, y’all!!!!

    Posted 7.18.17 Reply
  3. Christina wrote:

    I love the soothing color scheme and will keep it in mind when we do our boys’ room. I can’t begin to think about my kids moving out and going to college some day! I will cry if I do.

    Posted 7.18.17 Reply
  4. Dawn Scheurich wrote:

    Love it–great space! Also, I spied something on his shelves that brought me right back to the 1970s and my childhood–“The Way”. Sweet to see various Bibles on his shelves ❤️.

    Posted 7.18.17 Reply
  5. Patricia wrote:

    While I like the room for a teenage boy, you stopped me in my tracks with the cable management system. I have a tangle of cords on the floor underneath my desk. Ikea trip in the very near future…

    Posted 7.18.17 Reply
  6. Gail wrote:

    Great job! Where did the coasters come from?

    Posted 7.18.17 Reply
  7. Jennifer wrote:

    I love how you planned it together and honored his own personal style! Looks great!

    Posted 7.18.17 Reply
  8. Krystal // The Krystal Diaries wrote:

    I love they way his room came out! I love the design for myself haha. I’m def pinning this for future design inspo!

    Posted 7.18.17 Reply
  9. sydnee wrote:

    My 10 yo son will love a room like this. Can’t believe how fast they grow up!!

    http://www.tulipsandpersimmon.com

    Posted 7.18.17 Reply
  10. Shoester101 wrote:

    I would definitely find it really easy to work and chill in a room like this. Great job. The style is very modern and simple.
    Shoester101 | https://shoester101.wordpress.com/

    Posted 7.18.17 Reply
  11. sharon wiseman wrote:

    Love the way it reflects him and yet I can see your touches too. The wood top adds that little bit of warmth! I have a weird question, but can I have a review of ‘The Explicit Christian’? I have heard of it, but not read it yet. I also like seeing his Bible and The Way, what we put on our shelves says a lot about what we value and want others to see about us!

    Posted 7.18.17 Reply
  12. sharon wiseman wrote:

    Sorry, correction ‘The Explicit GOSPEL’ 🙂

    Posted 7.18.17 Reply
  13. Britney Crawley wrote:

    Such a fun space! I love what you’ve done with the rest of your house, but my aesthetic is much closer to your son’s. I like a mix, but I love minimal and sleek when it comes to the main pieces. IKEA can be great for so many things. We’re at the start of the parenting spectrum, building a nursery, and just took a trip to IKEA a few weeks ago for a dresser and rocking chair for our little guy’s room.

    Posted 7.18.17 Reply
  14. Amy wrote:

    Can you share your sons computer info. I have a 5th grader and I’m looking for computer suggestions.

    Posted 7.18.17 Reply
  15. Pam S wrote:

    My 14-year old son just asked for a desk – he wants a larger computer monitor for gaming. This would be perfect! Now if only he would get rid of some of his clutter!

    Posted 7.18.17 Reply
  16. Vee wrote:

    As a parent I can relate to the lump in the throat. My oldest girl is about to start 8th grade and youngest is starting 5th. Here, south of Houston, 5th is middle school. I cannot believe how fast my kids are growing. Oh how I wish I could slow down time just a bit to let my momma heart catch up. I’m not sure it ever will.
    The room looks great. We redid our girls rooms this year and my older one wanted deep brown walls. She loves a cozy, moody space and that is what she has. We also bought her whole room from ikea. She has a loft bed in a full size, 2 bookshelves, dresser and desk. She LOVES it. Every piece is sturdy and cost effective.

    Posted 7.18.17 Reply
  17. Luke Taylor wrote:

    This is beautiful! Thank you!!!

    Posted 7.30.17 Reply
  18. Patti wrote:

    Where is the rug under his desk chair from?? Love, love this room…when in mid August will you be showing the rest of this great room? We are patiently waiting to get more ideas for our “boys” room…would like be to have this completed before school starts, no push or anything!😇

    Posted 8.17.17 Reply
    • Cassie wrote:

      The rug is from Urban Outfitters! I’m hoping to have the post up in the next few weeks!! There are so many pics…and it’s been hard finding a time with him home and good light!!!

      Posted 8.18.17 Reply
  19. Kathy Keppel wrote:

    Hi, I am wondering what length countertop you used? I was looking for the 47 or 59in but they only have 74 and up on the site currently. Love the wood color and look!

    Posted 1.2.21 Reply
    • Cassie wrote:

      Hi! We used the 74 inch! xo, C

      Posted 1.3.21 Reply