How to store your teen’s footy, netball and other sports gear this season

From Xbox cables to cricket gear and makeup to shoes, there’s a lot getting in the way of a teenager having a neat and attractive bedroom these days.

Or is there?

Canberra-based designer and stylist Meg Campbell, from Neon White Design, has designed teenage bedrooms from Deakin to Mollymook. Here, she shares her tips on turning a dark and messy teenage cave into a storage dream your teen will never want to leave.

What's your best advice for storing sports equipment?

“Designated storage space, organised per sport, including hanging and labeling items,” Meg says.

“You also need good airflow and to make sure you’ve cleaned your equipment before bringing it into the bedroom!

“When each item is on display, everything has its place and it’s easy to find you’re rushing off to a game or a weekend activity with friends and/or family.”

How do you make a Playstation/Xbox/PC set-up actually look good?

“It’s all about cable management,” Meg says.

“By using cutouts on benchtops and desks, you can run the cords directly down the wall if your teen has a PC, or up the wall to the back of the TV if they have a Playstation.

“Have a special drawer in a tallboy or bedside table for controller storage, or use a hanging system.

“I recently worked on transforming a basement in a Deakin home into a playful and relaxing space for the kids and teens, and there’s barely a cable in sight.”

Why does a desk always take up so much room?

“I believe in making things multi-fuction,” Meg says.

“You could use the same desk for all sorts of things — make-up, a vanity, art, study, games with friends.

“It could have castors on the legs so it can be moved from room to room, is height adjustable for growing teens – or a sit/stand arrangement – or it may fold away. Another idea is a desk that is incorporated into the design or sits over the bed.

“Otherwise something like the Norden collection from Ikea.”

What's your best advice on storage for a makeup-obsessed teen?

Meg: “Storage containers to separate items into categories. Mirrors, good lighting and easy to clean surfaces.”

Do you have a vanity/mirror set-up you love?

“My favorite is the Canyon Natural Wood Kids Desk by Leanne Ford.”

TVs: mounted on the wall or no?

“One hundred percent mounted on the wall,” Meg says.

“And don’t forget an adjustable bracket for safety and ease of adjustment for the angle of the screen.”