I received the following question from a reader who'd seen my Teen-Friendly Decorating post. I came up with some ideas for her and thought I'd share then with everyone. Here's what she wrote:

"My mom said that I could redo this room which now consists of white walls, old hand me down but very comfy (ugly) couches that I don't wanna give up because my friends and I have spent countless memorable "girls-nights" on that couch, an old water-stained wood coffee table, and nasty Berber carpet. I want it to look really cool and throw in those like big 2 person bean bag chairs that they have on the Real World and some floor rafts because you're right, we do always end up on the floor. We don't have lots of money to buy things, we would prefer to make them. Any ideas that would pull the room together so it looks hip?"

Well that's pretty exciting that you have a room to redo for yourself and your friends. I know you're on a very tight budget, but there's still plenty you can do to make the space more comfortable and attractive. Here's what I would suggest:

• Colors & Paint--I would definitely start with a paint color, if your parents are okay with that. First, try to think of a color combination you like, and select the color that will be the main backdrop for the room. Remember the color combination when buying/making stuff for the room. For instance, if you like green and black, you could paint the room green and buy/make/borrow black accents, but don't forget to use variations of those colors (like gray or lighter green) in stuff like throw pillows, lamp shades, etc. You can also add a third or fourth color. With black and green, for instance, maybe some yellow or aqua would be great too.
• Furniture--The ugly couches you already have can be slipcovered. If you can't sew, a friend or family member might be able to help you. If not, you can get some really nice, inexpensive ones at Target or Walmart or places like that. Look for a durable material, like denim, and buy matching or coordinating slipcovers for the couches. It's an easy way to tie together different pieces.

  I love bean bag chairs for teens, and I've seen the two-person ones you mentioned. I looked around online but the ones I saw were pretty pricey. If you can't find affordable ones, try going with cheaper, single-person ones for now. (Line two or three against a wall and you have kind of like a bean-bag couch.) You can find simple bean bag chairs lots of places, especially discount stores.

  If you can check out a flea market or some garage sales, definitely try those too. You may be able to find some really funky and inexpensive furniture there. Also don't forget to ask friends, neighbors, grandparents, and anyone else you can think of if they have any old furniture they don't want or need anymore. (I just gave away a great couch and bedroom set because I just didn't have room for it all.) Many people will be glad to get rid of unused stuff, especially if they know it will be put to good use. And when you get old/discarded/hand-me-down furniture and accessories for your room, forget about the color and look at the shape. If someone gives you a functioning lamp in a hideous color, you can probably spray-paint the base, decorate the lampshade, and make it very cool for a buck or two.

  If you have an ugly coffee table or side tables, you can paint them. Make sure to sand and prime wood first, and check the paint label to make sure it will adhere to the kind of surface you're working with. I use tons of spray paint--it's cheap, easy to use, and stays put really nicely.

• Accessories--Accessories can really transform a room. You could add some inexpensive throw pillows to dress up your couches. (Check your area for linen outlet stores. I get pillows for about $5 at mine.) If you have some old throw pillows around the house, recover them. (I've even done some with hot glue and Velcro.) Purchase cheap fabric for this, or use old jeans, flannel shirts, towels, or any other material you have around your house. You can embellish with buttons, fringe, or whatever you like, as well.

  The crafts store is a GREAT place to find embellishments for your accessories. You can snatch up paint, rhinestones, little mirrors, beads, hot glue supplies, fringe, ribbon--whatever you need. Just make sure to plan ahead so you don't get side-tracked by the large selection when you get there.

• Flooring--As for the carpet--that's the toughest part. What's under it? Is removing it an option? If not, an area rug might be a good way to go. (Check for these at garage sales.) If you and your friends are particularly crafty, you can try creating a floor cloth. Here are some instructions from DIY, but there are many more on the Internet, depending on the materials you want to use and how much work you'd like to put into it.
• Get help, & have fun--Invite all your friends over, pile the materials in one room, and have fun. You can use glass or wooden beads to create beaded curtains. Spray paint a piece of wood with chalkboard paint for your own customized art or message board. Take old frames and glue beads, rhinestones, or even feathers around the edges and fill them with photos of you and friends. Decorate lampshades, candlesticks, pillows, curtains, everything, with crafting supplies and glue. You'd be surprised at what you might come up on your own and together. And putting the room together with a group of friends is a great excuse for a party!

Have fun, congratulations on your new space, and I hope you can use some of these ideas.