How to Decorate a Dorm Room
College is exciting. Apart from the numerous term papers, it also means leaving home and getting that freedom you’ve been obsessing about. Before you get excited, one thing you have to work on is your dorm room. A plain dorm room could really be disheartening. Here are some tips you can do to decorate a dorm room.
Before Decorating Your Room
Check rules and regulations. You don’t want to get in trouble because you didn’t follow your dorm rules.
Talk to your roommate. Contact you roommate and ask if it’s okay for you to put up some decorations in your room. You may also coordinate with her so that you just have 1 theme or color scheme in your room. If you and your roommate can’t agree on a theme, don’t worry, you can just set up your side of the room.
The important thing to remember is for you to have a comfortable place to live in while your away from home.
Choosing Decorations
Budget. Decorating your dorm room shouldn’t rid you off your allowance for the next 4 years in college. Stores like Walmart and Target offer a variety of decorative pieces. If you’re looking for creative, fashionable and unique items, a thrift store is a very good place to go to.
Theme. Having a theme in mind when looking for items to use in your dorm room doesn’t only saves you time but also shopping money.
Functionality. Choose things that serve several purposes. Say, a table that has shelves on the side and is big enough for you to study and place your computer or laptop.
Space. Your room may not be as big as your bedroom at home. Avoid bringing unnecessary things that will just take up space.
Personalizing Your Space
Bed
This is probably the biggest furniture you’d see in your room. Choose bedding that would match your theme and other decorative pieces.
To save money, you can buy neutral colored bedding that can match any theme you may like.
You can also buy reversible bedding so you 2 style choices for just the price of one.
Storage
Use cement blocks to raise the bed. You can use the space under your bed to keep things you won’t use all the time.
If you need shelves for your books, buy one that you can nail on your wall. This will save you floor space that you can use for your other things.
Buy cheap plastic creates or hat boxes in different sizes.
Use closet organizers.
Hooks and Hangers. Buy cute colorful hooks and stick them on your walls and at the back of your door.
Walls
Poster. This is probably the most common thing college students put on their walls. Look for unique and cheap posters.
Postcards. Instead of using posters, how about using postcards? Gather different postcards and stick them up on your wall creatively.
Photo frames. Afraid of getting homesick? Bring home closer to you by hanging pictures of your friends and family.
Laundry line. Hang a laundry line on one of the walls and use this to hang pictures and notes.
Map. Want to achieve a scholarly look? Put a big map on your wall. Have a little fun with it by marking places you either want to visit or you’ve been to. Use ribbons or colored markers.
Corkboard and whiteboard. Don’t miss out on deadlines and parties. Design your corkboard or whiteboard and hang them on your wall.
Windows
Hang colorful curtains.
Make a tie-dyed curtain.
Use a sheer fabric that complements your curtain. This will give additional hue to your room
Create several beaded strings and hang them on your window.
Floor
A big rug would liven up a boring floor.
Place an indoor plant in one corner to give your room a refreshing feel.
If you still have space, you can place a few big pillows on the floor.
Make your dorm room your personal space where you can relax after a long day in school. Have fun decorating your room while not violating dorm rules and regulations.