Getting Started
College dorm rooms are notoriously small. Luckily, this means you can be creative with your space and make the most out of it! Whether it’s a tiny closet or a lofted bed, there are plenty of ways to make your room feel bigger than it is without spending too much money. We’ve got some great tips for organizing your space and decorating in style so that you can live comfortably in your new home away from home.
1. Get Creative with Your Wall Decor
If you’re looking to spruce up your dorm room with some wall decor, there are plenty of ways to get creative.
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Make a DIY wall art by cutting out pictures from magazines and sticking them up on your walls using glue or tape. You can also use this method for scrapbooking. You’ll want to remember your college years!
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Use a cork board in place of a bulletin board–it’s easier to take down when it needs cleaning or organizing!
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Hang up things like calendars, schedules and inspirational quotes with pride!
2. Have a Cozy Reading Nook
When it comes to having a cozy reading nook, there are several things you can do. First, read a book in the morning and relax in your dorm room at night. You could also use this space as a place to study or even read magazines or newspapers. If you’re using this area for homework purposes, make sure that there is enough lighting so that you can see what’s on your desk and not strain your eyes too much!
If this sounds like something that will help keep stress levels down while still being productive during finals week or midterms season (or just any time), then we highly recommend adding one of these items into the mix: a lamp/night light; cozy blanket/pillow combo; comfortable chair/bean bag combo (this one might require some DIY skills).
3. Keep It Tidy and Organized
You’ll want to keep your dorm room as tidy and organized as possible. You’ll have limited space, so get creative with how you store everything. For example:
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Use a closet or drawer for clothes and other items that are easy to hang on hangers.
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Use shelves for books and other flat items like notebooks or planners, which can be stacked neatly on top of each other in rows. Look into floating shelves and make more use of the walls! There are options that are easy to install without complicated tools or drilling.
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Baskets make great storage options for shoes (and any other small stuff like toiletries) that can easily be stored under beds or tucked away into corners of rooms where they won’t get in anyone’s way! If you have enough room in the closet–and enjoy being organized–a hanging shoe rack is another popular choice among college students because it saves space while keeping things neat and tidy!
4. Hang Up Some Artwork... Even if It's Not Perfect!
You don’t have to be a Picasso to hang up some artwork in your dorm room. You can always fix it later, and you might even learn something from your mistakes. Don’t be afraid of failure–it happens!
The key is not being afraid of trying new things. If you’re looking for inspiration, look no further than Pinterest and Instagram; there are thousands of ideas out there that will help take your dorm room decorating game up a notch.
5. Don't Forget About Entertainment!
For entertainment, you may want to consider a laptop or tablet. You can watch movies, TV shows, and YouTube videos on these devices. They’re also great for playing games like Minecraft or Fortnite. Don’t be that girl who thinks she’s too cute or sophisticated to play games. Be yourself.
If you love gaming even more than watching movies and TV shows, then having a gaming console is essential! All modern consoles have built-in WIFI so that you can play multiplayer games or download new games from online stores.
6. Have Fun with an Accent Color
You can use an accent color to add some fun to your dorm room. Try selecting a color that you love, but don’t use it on every surface. You could also try using the same color in different shades or patterns–this way, your room won’t look like a rainbow exploded in there! Inexpensive ways to add some pizzazz include:
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Paint swatches on the wall or ceiling (make sure your school allows this first)
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Choose rugs with bright colors and patterns (you can even buy them online)
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Hang posters of art prints with bold colors
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7. Take Advantage of Space-Saving Ideas
- Use the space under your bed.
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Use the space on top of your bed.
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Take advantage of the space under your desk.
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If there is room, use it above your door or even in front of it! This can be done by hanging a mirror or picture frame and adding some lights so that light reflects off them when they are turned on at night–or even during daytime hours if you like having bright lights shining into a room. Bonus tip: Mirrors make a space look and feel bigger!
Conclusion
The best thing about dorm room decor is that it doesn’t have to be perfect. You can always add a new piece or change things up when you get tired of them! The most important thing is that you have fun with your space and make sure it reflects who you are as an individual.