• In order to learn good organization skills, teenagers need a sense of ownership. Give them a space to be responsible for and then respect their right to take care of it.

• Color adds depth and dimension. You can make a tight space look bigger by extending the wall color onto the ceiling for a more unified feel.

• A hanging room divider can help define a space. Look for something that hangs close to the ceiling to provide that border without getting in the way.

• For teenagers who won't fold their clothes, it's helpful to have a storage system that allows them to conceal their items. Closed cabinets keep clothes off the floor and out of sight.

• Mounting sports equipment (like snowboards or bikes) on wall hooks is a good way to keep them off the floor and out of valuable closet space, while letting them double as decor.