Buying a birthday present for a teenager is hard. Their tastes change fast, they know exactly what they don't like, and they are often too polite or too private to tell you what they do. Money and gift cards are safe, and forgettable.
A teenager's room is different. It is usually the one space they are allowed to make their own, and most of them care about it a great deal. A gift for the room, or for the desk where they spend their evenings, has a good chance of being used. Here is how to choose one.
First, find out what they are into
You don't need to ask them. Look for clues.
- What is already on their walls?
- What do they play, watch and listen to?
- What colours do they wear, and what colour are the lights in their room?
- What is on their phone case, their bag, their laptop?
- Ask a parent, a sibling or a friend.
If you can't find out anything, see the section on safe choices below.
By interest
Gaming
A desk mat is the best gift for a teenager who plays on a computer. It is used every day, it changes the look of the whole desk, and it is hard to get wrong. Neon city scenes, space and retro grids all suit a gaming setup. Cyber Wave Escape and Japanese City Punk FX.3 are good examples. See the desk mat size guide and small desk setup ideas.
Space and science
Space art lasts. A teenager who likes it at thirteen will usually still like it at eighteen. Light Nebula, Black Hole, Scanline Spaceman and Astronaut in the Clouds are all options.
Anime and Japanese style
Koi Attack, two giant koi over a neon street, is the obvious choice. The Lofi Cat Meow poster, a pink cat in sunglasses on a teal and pink background, has a retro anime feel.
Animals
Cats, foxes, wolves and owls. See art for cat people, Blue Fox in Space and Frost Owl.
Fantasy and books
Lost Forest Magic Portal, a ring of light at the end of a forest path, suits a reader. See enchanted forest art.
Dark, gothic and alternative
Skulls, crows and angels. Plenty of teenagers love them. See vamp romantic and whimsigoth. If you are not the parent, check with one first.
Music
Match the art to what they listen to. Lo-fi listeners suit soft, calm pieces. Electronic and synthwave listeners suit neon. See what is lo-fi art.
By format
- Posters. The classic teenage wall covering, and the cheapest. Easy to put up, easy to change when tastes move on. See how to hang posters without frames or wall damage.
- Tapestries. One covers a whole wall, and teenagers love them, especially with string lights. Light and safe above a bed. See tapestries with fairy lights and LED strips.
- Desk mats. For anyone with a computer, for gaming or homework.
- T-shirts. Art they can wear. Only if you know their size and are fairly sure of their taste, because made-to-order clothing can't be exchanged, though you can return it within 30 days of delivery (you pay the return shipping). See how to style an art graphic tee.
- Pins and keychains. For a school bag, a jacket or keys. Low cost and low risk. See how to style pins and bag charm stacking.
- Canvas or framed posters. A more grown-up present, for an older teenager or one about to leave for college.
By age
- 13 to 14. Tastes are still forming and change quickly. Choose things that are cheap to replace: posters, pins, a desk mat.
- 15 to 16. They have a style and want the room to show it. A tapestry, a set of posters, a desk mat that matches their setup.
- 17 to 19. They are thinking about leaving home. Choose something that can go with them: a framed print, a canvas, a tapestry for a dorm wall. See dorm room wall decor on a student budget.
By budget
Approximate prices at the time of writing.
- Under $10: a pin, or two.
- About $15: a keychain or a small poster.
- $20 to $40: a desk mat, a larger poster or a t-shirt.
- $30 to $90: a tapestry, depending on size.
- $45 and up: a canvas.
A small bundle makes a good present: a poster with a pin and a keychain in the same artwork. See gifts under $20.
Safe choices when you don't know their taste
- Space. Almost nobody dislikes it.
- A desk mat in a dark, simple design. Useful whatever they are into.
- A landscape. Blue Mountain Fog is calm and suits any room.
- Small things. A pin or a keychain is a low-stakes guess.
Avoid anything cute or childish unless you know they like it. Teenagers want to be treated as older than they are, not younger.
Let them choose
There is nothing wrong with asking. Sit down together, look through the posters or the tapestries, and let them pick. Teenagers like being trusted with the decision, and you will know the present is wanted. You can still wrap it.
A few things for parents
- Agree the rules about walls first. If you don't want nails or tape on the paint, give them a way to hang things that you are happy with: removable strips, a poster rail, a tapestry on hooks.
- Let it be their taste. It may not be yours. That is the point of the room.
- Expect it to change. See teen bedroom wall art that survives changing tastes.
Timing
Everything is made to order. Allow 2 to 7 business days for production and 3 to 7 for US delivery, and order about three weeks before the birthday to be safe. Items of different types ship separately. If you have left it late, see missed the gift deadline: what to do.