 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.
The Wall
Is Your Canvas
Once you have the basics, it's time to go crazy decorating the
walls. Well, not too crazy. Check your school's rules before
painting, punching holes, or even using tape on the walls. Luckily,
you can buy special poster adhesive at decorating stores to
customize your room and avoid paying a fee for chipped paint.
Posters are the most common way
to decorate, and some colleges have a poster sale at the beginning
of the year where you can snag some highly unusual and inexpensive
finds. But posters are not the only way to go. Here are some other
ideas to adorn your walls:
-
Colored chalk will easily wash off most surfaces. Or use
butcher paper and colored pencils. Unleash your inner artist and
draw a new mural or work of art once a month or whenever you
feel inspired.
- Frames
are essential for holding photos of home or new friends at
college. Buy them almost anywhere or create your own with a
cardboard matte and glitter, buttons, feathers, beads, or any
other decorative knickknacks. Or you could use funky memo
holders to display favorite photos on your desk or bureau.
- French
memo boards can hold a whole bunch of pictures, ticket
stubs, or magazine cut-outs. Buy one at Bed, Bath and Beyond,
Linens' N or make one out of cardboard, fabric, and ribbon.
- A
laundry line is a great alternative for you to string up
pictures or ticket stubs on the wall or across the room us.
Urban Outfitters has a laundry line with suction cups for easy
use.
-
Magnets are useful and decorative on any metal surface.
Customize that Micro-fridge and display your praiseworthy papers
with magnets of flowers, superheroes, butterflies, or Magnetic
Poetry (also a fun distraction from studying).
- Dry
erase boards on your door or in your room are handy for
communicating with friends and roommates and making notes to
yourself. Or get a dry erase calendar at an office supply store
and keep track of your busy schedule.
- Sheer
fabric draped across the window or over a bed creates a
soft, romantic look. Or if you have an open closet, put up a
colorful shower curtain to individualize your space or hide
dirty laundry.
-
Lights
are fashionable and functional. A desk lamp for late-night
studying is a necessity, but adding mini-lights strung across
the room can create a more personal atmosphere. White lights
will complement any décor, or choose colored lights in funky
shapes like stars, cactuses, or hearts.
So you get the
idea. There are oodles of ways to transform your plain Jane dorm
room into a vibrant reflection of your style and personality. All it
takes is a few dollars and a little creativity. If only Chemistry
were that simple. |
