On-campus housing should be a “home away from home” experience. Decorating your dorm should require some thought so that you feel comfortable within your new living space. Shopping for dorm decorations can also be a fun task! With preparation, shopping can be a stress-free experience!
Bedding: Your comforter set is the heart of your room décor. The style of bedding you choose will influence the purchase of the rest of the decorations you get. For example, if you choose a red comforter with black and grey spots, you should look for wall décor within the color scheme of your comforter.
Décor: Wall pictures are necessary to successfully decorate ALL college dorms! You have to bring color to your plain walls for inspiration. Speaking of inspiration, inspirational pictures are motivational to many college students. These pictures will help get you up and going throughout the school year. Another great idea for decorating your walls would be pictures of family and friends. What better way to feel at home than to bring your loved ones with you to school?! On a side note, when adhering photos to your wall, steer clear of tape. Removing the tape at the end of the school year is a lot of work. Instead, use removable hooks made by 3M. They are durable and will hold most items such as your picture frames! Look for frames that match your color scheme or go to the dollar store, purchase a frame with plain wooden edges, and paint it yourself for your own personal touch!
If you’re a freshman I can tell you one thing that all upperclassmen forgot when they first moved to campus…curtains that block the light! If you have classes in the evening or plan to sleep in during the weekend, curtains that shield the sun are a necessity; be sure to find curtains that go with your color scheme. If you have trouble, simply purchase a regular curtain that goes with your color scheme to drape over your “block out light curtain”.
Rugs are also a great source of decoration for a dorm. Rugs can bring color to a room, compliment your bedding, and be cozy in rooms with no carpet!
Furniture: If this is your first year at college you will find that all furniture is plain and the same across the board. A good idea to help make your room unique would be the purchase of a bean bag. Bean bags are stylish, affordable and provide more seating in your dorm. Plus, who wants to always be cooped up in their bed or sitting at their desk?
Another great piece of furniture would be a five-tier. Many people don’t consider getting five-tiers; which are shelves with five different levels. The great thing about shelves is they are great for storage! Purchase bins that match your color scheme to store on the shelves, and then store all your personal belongings. You can have a bin for snacks, odds, and ends, hair products, etc. The great thing about this five-tier setup is that visitors will never know what’s inside of them. They will see a beautifully decorated shelf!
Always remember that you want to be comfortable in your new living space. Focus on making your dorm unique to you. With preparation, you will have your dorm transformed into “Your home away from home” in no time!