If you have teenage children and are in the throes of hormonal explosions, anxious behaviors, and a quick succession of mood changes, it can be hard to gauge just how much time your teen wants to spend with you. Sometimes it can be difficult to know what to do together, so why not tackle a few home improvement projects? Not only will it help you get closer to a shared goal, but it’ll also help them to feel like they have a say in important home decor decisions. Treating your teen like an adult can often help improve their mood as they navigate this tricky in-between stage. Read on for five house project ideas to tackle with your teen, some big, some small. Whichever you choose, you’re sure to enjoy some quality time together.
Give your home curb appeal
This project is a great conversation starter as there are important decisions you’ll need to make when refreshing the front of your home. This is an excellent opportunity to talk with your teen and remember that no idea is wrong. Be thoughtful about their suggestions. Having your teen help you refresh the front of your home can help make them feel house proud. This project can include any of the following.
- Cleaning up
- Give the front door a fresh color
- Install outdoor lighting
- Invest in a welcoming doormat
- Give your porch a new color
- Add a wreath to the door (See next project)
Make a wreath for your front door
This is a great craft that can be adapted to suit the season. Wreaths are no longer just for Christmas. You can make a wreath for spring, easter, summer, Halloween, or Christmas! Look on Pinterest together for ideas, then head out shopping or on a nature walk to gather your supplies. This project will let you enjoy ample time together! Doing a mindful project like this is a good way to help tackle anxiety in teens. Allowing them to be away from their phones and do something creative and mindful is sure to help boost their mood.
Add a feature wall
This can be a really fun activity where you can let your teen be creative and express themselves. Simply choose a wall in your home that could do with a new lease on life. You can paint it with a pop of color or choose a wallpaper. An adhesive wallpaper is a great hack and will give you an accent wall that’s easy to put up and remove.
Give your backyard a makeover
This is another one that’s a great conversation starter but doesn’t require any technical know-how. Assuming your teen doesn’t spend much time in the garden, ask them why? What would they like it to look like? What kind of garden would they like to invite friends to? Giving your yard a makeover will look different for everyone.
It could mean simply cutting the grass, doing some weeding, and popping in some new plants. It could mean making it a social haven, adding cozy seating, ambient lighting, and a fire pit. You get to choose the size of the project, but it’s certainly one you can tailor to your and your teen’s preferences. Letting them make big decisions like this is sure to boost their confidence and decision-making skills.
Add some personality
Is there an area of your home that lacks personality? A wall without any life? You can remedy this by framing some pictures. This is a two-part task. First, you can hit the shops and buy beautiful photo frames. Then once you get home, it’s time to get out the photo albums. Yep, all of them! Create new memories by looking at your old ones. You’ll share old stories and fun memories and probably giggle at your fashion choices together. Choose together which photo’s deserve to go in the frames. The beautifully framed photographs will not only hold the photo’s memory inside but also the memory of choosing and putting them together.
Let us know in the comments below any of your ideas for house projects that are perfect to tackle with your teens, or share your renovation pictures below. Remember, having teens can be challenging, be patient and understanding; remember, outside help is available for you and them if you feel it’s needed.
