This Surf-Inspired Bedroom Is a Teenage Dream Come True

For most teenage room renovations, the kids get handed a paint color chart; maybe they get some say in their bedding if they’re lucky. What Will Balsis got was something much rarer: complete creative control over his bedroom design. The result is a space that captures the effortless cool of Southern California surf culture, all while demonstrating sensibilities that would impress any seasoned interior designer.

"I was pretty involved in the whole design and construction process," explains Will. "My parents wanted me to feel like my room was a reflection of me. I sketched different layouts and knew I wanted a lot of plants."

Living near the beach and surfing daily, Will’s design brief was easy to define. "I had the theme for my room immediately: a beach-and-surf style to feel like some of my favorite local surf stores, coffee shops, and board-shaping rooms that use plywood and fun colors," he says.

Will’s approach ultimately combined vintage surf culture with contemporary design sensibilities. He and his parents sourced a desk chair from the Long Beach antique market, and tracked down vintage surf magazines from eBay to decorate the walls.