Heading off to college is something most teens look forward to nearly as much as getting the car keys for the first time. However, arriving at campus to find a tiny, dingy dorm room can dampen the spirits of even the most enthusiastic college student. Make a dorm room feel more like home with this handy dorm room shopping list.
Dorm Decor Ideas
College is a time for students to explore themselves and start to create a unique identity. One of the best ways to express individuality is through decorating a dorm room, but with challenges like cramped space and bans on putting holes in the walls, what is a creative college kid to do? Fortunately, there are a lot of ways to create a dramatic look without damaging the walls or breaking the bank. The following ideas will transform a dorm room from blah to brilliant.
Organizing a Dorm Room
The first challenge in decorating a dorm room is making things functional and organized. With such small amounts of personal space, college students need to maximize the efficiency of their dorm rooms.
Beds take up the most space by far, so using them efficiently is key. Commercial bed risers are easy to use and inexpensive. These plastic stands slip under the four feet of the bed and raise it off the ground, making more room for under-bed storage. If possible, consider replacing the dorm bed with a loft style bed. Similar to a bunk bed, a loft bed features an elevated sleeping platform, but instead of having another bed below, there is a desk or work area.
Sketch a layout of the dorm room’s floor plan and make cutouts of furniture to scale. Use this model to try out different arrangements of furniture before moving the heavy stuff around. This can help determine the most efficient layout.
Baskets can be huge space-saving lifesavers, and they have the added bonus of corralling stuff in a small space. Try slipping several under the bed to store shoes, books, remotes, and sporting gear. Smaller baskets on a desk can keep art and office supplies, electronics and personal belongings under control. The great thing about baskets is that they come in a huge variety of shapes and sizes with looks that range from country rustic to chic modern.
Decorating a Dorm Room
Once the nuts and bolts of layout and organization are in hand, it's time for the fun part: decorating a dorm room! Blank walls are often a complaint of college students who are forbidden to hang posters or pictures with nails or tacks. Fortunately, there are a lot of products that can help get around this problem. Folding screens are slim and take up little space but can easily dress up a wall or create some much-needed privacy. Poster putty can be used to hang lighter works of art while Scotch Command removable hooks can handle more weight.
Another fun trend for decorating walls is removable vinyl decals which are available on numerous websites. These decals come in a huge range of prices, sizes and looks. With even large decals costing less than $50, these temporary works or art make a huge statement for not a lot of money. Be warned that some decals can be removed but not reused. Check manufacturer websites to determine which decals can be reused.
The truly ambitious can create a custom look by handing large pieces of fabric on the walls with removable adhesive. This can totally transform a dorm room and is fairly simply to do. Plus, the fabric can come down and move with its owner.
Dorm Room Shopping List
Here is a handy list of all the things mentioned in this article.
