Whether you are a freshman feeling anxious and excited about college or a seasoned senior who can't wait to graduate, your dorm or apartment room will be a home away from home for a good two thirds of your year.
It should be a place where you can study effectively and provide safe sanctuary from outside stress. Your abode should be a place where you can host movie nights or curl up with a good book.
Of course, there are a few obstacles to creating the perfect oasis of collegiate bliss.
Most college students are not made of money, so finding inexpensive items at department stores like Target, Wal-Mart, Zellers or a thrift store is a plus. If you live far away from your college, you may have to pay for shipping or storage over the summer, which can also drain your resources.
Then there is your roommate. Definitely ask what she has in mind, but don't feel pressured to coordinate exactly or let his or her design concept prevent you from expressing yourself. You will both be happier if you respect each other's right to decorate your spaces however you want. If you both agree on a color scheme, that's great, but otherwise don't diss her Britney Spears poster or plaid comforter. You both need a space where you feel comfortable to express yourself and your personal style.
Dorm decorating can be daunting, but it can also be a lot of fun, much like the first year of college. I can't help you study for a chemistry or history mid-term, but I can offer some suggestions for making your dorm room a comfortable, stylish place.
The Basics of Bedding
One of the first things to pick out is a comforter. The
bed often doubles as a coffee table, couch, or study area and
is the largest piece of furniture in most dorm rooms, so it's
key to choose a comforter that reflects your style and won't
immediately show the dirt.
Finding a comforter you like will also help determine the color scheme for the rest of the room. Will it be romantic pastels? Classic school colors? Vibrant floral patterns? Basic black and white?
Reversible, solid colored comforters are a good choice, because they offer twice as many design options and can be dressed up with lots of fluffy throw pillows, but patterns like leopard prints, sunflowers, or stars are fun, too.
When buying bedding, keep in mind that most colleges have extra long beds, so regular twin sheets are too short. If this is the case, look for extra long twin sheets at Target, Bed, Bath & Beyond, or Linens' N' Things.
Think Storage
Space is tight in most dorms, so maximizing storage is a
must. Here's how:
- Raise the bed with cement blocks or RackRisers to make space for extra clothes, books, laundry, luggage, or whatever else under the bed.
- Stack plastic crates in your closet, under your bed, or next to your desk. They are cheap and come in a variety of colors. An alternative to plastic crates is a wire storage system, which lets you assemble your own crates and dismantle or reorganize them later. Or buy some decorative hat boxes in varying sizes for extra storage.
- Buy closet organizers for shoes, skirts, accessories, or makeup to ensure that you will always be able to find those cute black sandals or that peach lip gloss when you need them.
- Invest in some cheap plastic hooks. Stick them to your closet door to hold a bathrobe or jacket, or find a metal towel holder for the back of your door.
- Don't forget your computer. If you are planning to use a computer remember you need to have space for this as well. Tables can double for TV's and computers...make your furniture dual purpose. Make sure you have adequate lighting where you will be working.
