This Colorful Bedding Collab Gets My Teen’s Approval

If ever there was a time for a teen bedroom refresh it would be now. The idea of the bedroom as an oasis was definitely put to the test during the pandemic and my son, a high school senior, has been more than ready to zhuzh up his room for months.

When I saw that design duo Cortney and Robert Novogratz were introducing a new bedding and decor collection exclusively for JCPenney, I wanted needed to learn more. The Back to Everything collection includes sheet sets, comforter sets, body pillows, furniture, lighting, and rugs at accessible prices, and the bedding intrigued me the most.

For starters, all the bedding is made with 100% cotton for softness, breathability, and washability. And generally speaking, bedding for teens is either too juvenile or too boring. But this collection is neither—it’s sunny and youthful while still being sophisticated enough for a kid who is a year away from leaving for college.

And then there are the eclectic yet sophisticated designs inspired by Cortney and Robert’s current renovation of a 200-year-old historic brownstone in Greenwich Village, New York City. “We found incredible old prints and wallpaper that hadn't been seen in more than 100 years, but looked so contemporary and relevant for today's design-savvy shoppers,” they said in an email.

Lest a sheet set with an all-over animal print sound silly for a teenager’s room, the duo definitely raised the ante, designing a blue zebra sheet set, for example, inspired by that iconic Scalamandré wallpaper for more cosmopolitan flair to any teen’s room.

Cooler still: The comforters and body pillows don’t aim to be matchy-matchy. After all, why shouldn’t you pair a checkerboard print comforter with a body pillow emboldened with the phrase “Yay Happy” or “Sleep”? The result is an instant upgrade.

As parents of seven kids, Cortney and Robert know how important back-to-school season is to kids, this year especially. “We’ve had seven kids go back to school in dozens of different schools,” they said. “And each time, it’s a special moment. If you’re a student, it’s the beginning of a new year and an opportunity to reinvent yourself and your life. We hope that our fresh prints and bright colors can inspire new choices and new smiles.”

And pandemic or not, our kids spend a lot of time in their bedrooms, so making them as stylish and as happy of a space is only a win-win. “Your bedding is probably the biggest graphic and color statement in your whole house,” they said. “It’s a chance to be expressive and colorful.”

In the end, the fact that the collection celebrates the “return to happier times” resonated the most with me—and my son. Like many of us, he and his friends have been through so much these past few months, so if I can help accessorize his space with bold prints and bright colors, frankly, it’s the least I can do.

Here are some of my favorites from the Back to Everything collection:

1. Novogratz Vintage Stripe Sheet Set Novogratz Vintage Stripe Sheet Set, $49.99 $39.99

To me, the best sheets are the ones that aren’t too busy. The subtle stripe of this set kind of reminds me of an old-school men’s dress shirt and would add just the right vintage flair to your sophisticated teen’s bedroom.

2. Novogratz Painted Lips Sheet Set, $49.99 $39.99

There’s guaranteed whimsy with a bed decked out in these sheets. After all, what teen wouldn’t love a little Pop Art-ish lift? Add a coordinating body pillow printed with ruby-red painted lips and your teen’s bed is made.

3. Novogratz Waverly Tile Midweight Comforter Set, $129.99 $103.99

This printed comforter set elevates a pink pattern to something more sophisticated. Your teen will appreciate the coolness factor and the super-soft feel. And bonus, it’s super easy to pair this comforter with other sheet sets and pillows for an eclectic look.

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What are your favorite pieces from the collection? Drop some inspo below!

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