It's fall, that time of year when young adults leave the nest for college or university. It's also a time when younger siblings who have long eyed their older sibling's bedroom can claim that space for their own.

What you do with that room obviously depends on the age of the new occupant. Because teenagers are generally more interested in privacy than room size, it is reasonably normal for adolescents to hole up in their new rooms with the doors shut.

Today's teens have text messaging, e-mail and I-pods, where previous generations only had the telephone. Yet the teenage urge to feel like part of a group is the same as it was for previous generations. Personal style can be a big part of that.

That's where parents come in. What are some things parents can do to older siblings' rooms to give it a personality that complement those of their new occupants?

The first and most affordable option is to change the color of the room. Fortunately, 1 or 2 gallons of paint, at about $20 each, is a design option that falls well within reach of all but the tightest budgets. Another benefit to using paint as your tool of change is that it doesn't take away valuable space.

While I always advise testing the color with a quart of paint before wasting time painting an entire room, I also recommend letting children pick their colors. If you are nervous, encourage your child to test out two or three options first.

The next quick fix can be bedding. Visit discount retailers such as Marshall's, T.J. Maxx, Ross, or Target. Bed, Bath & Beyond, Linens 'n Things, or mail-order catalogs also have reasonable offerings. Keep in mind that many mail orders can be returned if you are unsatisfied, so it might be more comfortable to go that route.

Children are drawn to up-to-date color schemes that might not fit into your idea of appropriate decor, but let it go! Giving your child the choice is more important than you personally liking the color they select. Close the door if it offends you, and try to keep your opinions to yourself because the larger point is to give your child a sense of independence.

Since the golden age of Hollywood, youngsters have tacked up photos of their favorite stars on bedroom walls. Posters of Judy Garland, James Dean and the Beatles, for example have long been used as wallpaper. Today, peel-off decor is a trendy new way different decorative items can be applied directly onto walls to easily make murals.

The cool vinyl design in the photograph is called Surf Boards. Produced by Wallies, it is made up of six surfboards, eight leaves, 12 large flowers and 16 small flowers. The six surfboards are 8 3/4 inches wide and 33 3/4 inches tall. The Hawaiian-style leaves and flowers range in size from 5 3/4 inches to 2 1/4 inches. The two-sheet package costs $39.99.

Wallies' vinyl decals are easily cleaned and take up absolutely no extra room. They come in motifs designed to attract all age groups, from tots to teens.

In space-challenged bedrooms, it can be difficult to come up with great personality-altering design ideas that don't take up valuable inches. Another slim trick for altering the mood in a room is lighting.

Most parents wish to steer their children away from candles, so you might want to encourage other ways to get mood-shifting ambiance. You can buy twinkle lights inexpensively and string them creatively around the windows, on bedposts or from wall to wall. Lava lamps, first hip in the 1960s and early '70s, are still popular today. Mostly employed for effect because they don't emit enough light to serve any function, they are fun to watch and weirdly appealing.

Christine Brun, ASID, is a San Diego-based interior designer and the author of "Big Ideas for Small Spaces." Send questions and comments to her by e-mail at christinebrun@sbcglobal.net. To find out more about Christine Brun and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com.

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