Types

• The type of bedding a teenager needs largely depends on the bed. A full bed lends itself to more options, such as a dust ruffle or pillow shams, while a bunk bed limits your choices. Some teen girls might enjoy the femininity of a canopy bed, while other teenagers welcome the functionality of a bed with a bookshelf headboard. Whatever the bed type, however, the bedding chosen should also fit your teenager's personality.
  
  

Young Men

• For teen boys, bold colors, bright blues and reds make for an interesting room. If your son isn't quite ready to let go of patterned sheets, buy bedding that bears the logo of his favorite sports team, with a solid color quilt or comforter on top. A plaid or striped comforter accented with throw pillows also liven up a boy's domain, while monogrammed sheets or pillowcases add a touch of sophistication. Choose machine washable bedding for the inevitable spills and food stains.
  
  

Young Women

• Colorful patterns, paisley, or floral bedspreads show your teen daughter's whimsical, creative side. Zebra or leopard print bedding can be accented with pink throw pillows or brightly colored sheets for a one-of-a-kind decor. Another exotic element for a girl's room is mosquito netting above the bed--it serves as a faux canopy and adds a romantic touch, especially if you wind fake vines or plastic flowers into the netting. A dust ruffle gives any bed a polished look, while hiding whatever your teenager may have shoved under her bed.
  
  

Considerations

• When shopping for bedding for your teenager, consider his taste and not just yours. He could have this bedding for a long time, and it should reflect his personality. For best results, shop for sheets and comforters together, and encourage your teen add accents such as throw pillows and fleece lap blankets. Your only considerations should be durability and budget--let your teen do the rest.
  
  

Warning

• Teenagers have their own sense of style, and their bedrooms should reflect that.teen in a hat image by Lisa Eastman from Fotolia.com
  
  Buying a comforter that is dry clean only or too bulky to fit into your washing machine could be a pain later. Jersey cotton or T-shirt sheets tend to be softer than cotton sheets, are less expensive and come in many styles and patterns, some geared just for teenagers.