Dorm Room Decorating Tips
For your “Home” at School
Dorm room decorating tips for rooms in a dorm that are not exactly luxury but that you want to make your own.
Some schools are going to have limitations of what may be appropriate for your decorating but with a little creativity your dorm room can be quite homey.
It is a good idea to talk to your roommate beforehand. You both need your own personal space to feel comfortable in. Respect each other’s right to express themselves has they wish. You may decide you like the same colors, but if not you should feel good about your share of the limited space.
Get your Rest
Quality bedding is very important and should be one of the first dorm room decorating tips to use. The bed is the largest piece in the room and often doubles as a sofa.
Many times the beds are extra long twins so the regular twin size sheets will be too short, but extra long sheets are readily available.
It may be a good idea to get an egg crate mattress topper. It is going to make a world of difference in your sleeping.
Bring or invest in a soft blanket and the best comforter you can. Choosing a reversible one will double your color scheme options especially if one side is a fun pattern. Add some funky pillows to compliment especially when the bed is in sofa mode.
A reading pillow works nicely too because more than likely you won’t have a head board and if you are one to do any reading in bed these at least offer some support.
Study Hard
Dorm room decorating tips that are just as important as getting a good night's rest is your study area, although some like to work sitting on the bed others prefer to sit at a desk, either way you will need good lighting.
A halogen floor lamp, a desk lamp or both, will take away from the glare of florescent overhead lighting and make the room more cozy.
Photos courtesy of E. Drake
Everything in its Place
One of the biggest dilemmas you are going to face is the lack of storage. The rooms are quite small and shared so maximizing storage is key by utilizing pieces that can do double duty.
Dorm room decorating tips designate a place for everything (preferably out of sight in decorative containers or boxes) will make the small space appear more open (and cleaner too.)
- Raising the bed with rack risers allow you to utilize the space under it. Storing your luggage with extra clothing in them and storage bins will help you stay organized.
- Pretty hat boxes can hold a myriad of small items in one place and be stacked one on top of another for use as a little table next to the bed for the alarm clock.
- Or stack them on a shelf in the closet along with closet organizers for shoes, scarves, purses, etc.
- Use decorative hooks and self adhesive hooks that come in lots of different sizes for hanging things. (Keeps things off the floor!)
- If the guidelines permit, install brackets as shelves for your textbooks. Add interest with funky bookends, a framed photo or other collectables.
- Customize a wire storage system that can be assembled to whatever size you want and dismantled and reorganized later.
- Strategically placed plastic crates (come in many colors) are cheap ways to store things and can be used as small tables.
- And if you can swing it, a nice comfortable chair next to your bed. Something other than leaning against the wall would be great.
Express Yourself
Color is an easy way to make an impact on dorms rooms but painting is usually out of the question.
However there are clever dorm room decorating tips that can introduce a little drama but check the guidelines before putting anything on the walls.
- Paint canvases in bright colors, one large bold one or a few smaller to group together.
- You can also take stretchers the canvases are stretched on and wrap a favorite fabric around it. The days at the beach may be over for now but fun beach towel works in the same manner for a large “tapestry.”
- Wallpaper remnants can be framed in flea market or thrift store frames. Add handles and you have an instant chic tray to serve popcorn.
- Cork boards and fabric-covered memo boards hold photos and mementos.
- A laundry line with suction cups holds pictures or use poster adhesives without leaving any marks.
- Dry eraser boards or calendars come in handy for leaving messages for your roommate or keeping track of your busy campus schedule.
- A wall map of the world or an aerial shot of your hometown or take your favorite photo to have blown up poster size to hang.
Temporarily replace the window coverings (holding on to the originals) with something of your choosing. It doesn't have to be anything fancy. Just a sheer gauze fabric over a rod could work.
A Touch of Home
Instead of buying all new, bring things from home that make you feel good. The little dorm room decorating tips make a big difference.
- Treat yourself to fresh-cut flowers you buy at the grocery stores, a simple music system, and a live plant of a low maintenance variety. Living things in a room always look good and make the space feel homey.
- Replace the drawer knobs on the dresser (again hold on to the originals) with something fun and different.
- Add warmth to the floor and the overall feel of the room with a colorful area rug.
- Some soft fluffy bath towels and a bucket with a handle to transport your toiletries to the bathroom, and flip flops for wearing in the shower.
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