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Creating A Home Away From Home: A Dorm Room Guide
Moving away from home for college can be a scary experience. But with the right dorm room setup, you can create a comfortable and familiar space that will make your transition to college life easier. We’re here to help with our comprehensive dorm room guide, so read on and get ready to transform your new place into an inviting home away from home!
1. Incorporate Throw Pillows and Blankets
In order to create a home away from home, it is important to incorporate elements of comfort and coziness. Throw pillows and blankets are a great way to do just that. Pillows can be used in various ways to add color and texture to your bedding, while providing a spot to relax and get comfortable. Blankets can be used as an extra layer of warmth and comfort, or simply as an accent piece for visual appeal. Consider investing in quality pieces that will last for years and are comfortable enough for you to use every day.
2. Clutter Your Space
By incorporating throw pillows and blankets, you can create a cozy environment in your dorm room. To make your space your own, it’s important to make sure that it doesn’t feel like a cluttered mess. Invest in storage bins or baskets so that you can have a designated spot for all of your items. Wall shelves are also great for keeping items off the floor, while also being able to display knick-knacks or art pieces. Additionally, utilize any nooks and crannies by using caddies or over-the-door organizers. With some simple decluttering techniques, you can make sure that your dorm is the perfect place to call home away from home.
3. Make Your Dorm Reflect You
Once you’ve chosen a color scheme and incorporated throw pillows and blankets into the mix, it’s time to make your dorm reflect who you are. Whether you’re into art, music, sports, or anything else, showcase your interests by decorating with items that reflect your personality. Thrifted items can be an excellent way to express yourself while also keeping your costs low. Consider investing in some quality bedding for a more luxurious feel. Utilize wall space for art pieces and posters, and don’t forget to bring homey touches like plants or family photos that will make your dorm feel like home. Brighten up your space with some string lights or fairy lights, and learn from other students’ experiences by talking to people in the residence halls to get their tips and tricks.
4. Decorate with Thrifted Items
With the right eye, thrifted items can be transformed into beautiful home decor. Knowing what’s you and what’s not is a great first step to thrift shopping, as it is with any decorating project. You can create beautiful dorm room decor with thrifted sheets and bedding. A round-up of 30 of the most common items to buy while thrift shopping that can be transformed into home decor using a few simple design tricks is a great place to start. You can also decorate rolling carts to match your dorm’s decor. Try selecting a cart color that you know you will love or make it a DIY project and paint it yourself. If you ever feel home sick or are trying to bring a bit of home into your space, then you should turn to thrifting! Share your dorm room makeovers with us on social media to show off your unique style and creativity!
5. Utilize Space Saving Tips
In addition to decorating your walls, there are other space-saving tips you can use to make your dorm feel more like home. Invest in bins and baskets, and use hooks to hang items that you don’t need often. Consider getting a hutch which can provide extra storage, or use the drop-front boxes or shoe drawers and stack them on a shelf. Don’t forget to take advantage of the space under your bed, and make sure you leave some space between the radiator and any furniture you place in the room for both packing and creative storage areas. With a few creative ideas, your dorm room can become a cozy home away from home.
6. Invest in Quality Bedding
After having a theme and a color palette in mind, it is time to invest in quality bedding. Whether you’re looking for a bed-in-a-bag set or just some nice sheets, there are plenty of options to choose from. For the best overall value, check out Amazon Basics Reversible Microfiber Bed-in-a-Bag With Elastic Storage Pockets which comes with all the essentials and more. If you’re looking for something more luxurious, Bare Home Twin XL Microfiber Sheet Set has great reviews and is made with ultra soft microfiber. Throw in some pillows and blankets to make your bed even cozier!
7. Utilize Wall Space for Art Pieces and Posters
Once you have your bed and furniture in place, it’s time to make your dorm room feel like home. Utilize wall space for art pieces and posters to bring life to your walls. Get creative with your wall decor. Hang framed movie posters or the covers of your favorite bands’ albums, or if colors and art are your thing find some pieces for your walls. The way art is displayed is crucial, so remember to balance spacing, colour, and proportion when hanging pictures on walls. If you’re short on space, a photo wall or gallery wall are great spacesavers. Surrounding your work area with dorm wall decor that brings you joy at a glance can also give you a moment to transport somewhere else. If you need help with how to hang pictures on walls without damaging them, ask your Residence Front Desk for free poster mounts that leave zero damage. Wall decorations such as colored tapestries are also common in dorms and make a great choice for decoration.
8. Bring Homey Touches
In addition to adding homey touches, such as framed photos and prints, students can also customize their dorm with small area rugs. Not only will this help to change the overall feel of the living space, but it can also double as extra seating for when friends come over. As for furniture, due to strict fire-rating codes, upholstered furniture is not allowed in residence areas – but that doesn’t mean you can’t get creative with what you do have!
9. Brighten Up With Lights
Brightening up your dorm with the perfect lighting can make all the difference. Flip the switch and bring cheer to your room with ambient lighting, such as a fun floor lamp, string lights, or fairy lights to create the vibes of a warm summer night. Don’t forget mirrors can help add illumination, too! Now you can get creative and hang neon signs or even a chandelier overhead. Non-LED lights can get hot, so be smart about the size of light and the space you have. That’s where smart lighting comes in. Invest in dimmable bulbs for a cozy atmosphere in the evenings or a full color setup to liven up your dorm room. From purposeful task lighting when studying at your desk to ambient light when relaxing in bed, make sure you have multiple light sources for all occasions.
10. Learn From Other Students’ Experiences
9. Brighten Up With Lights
Lighting can really set the mood of your dorm room. Consider using lamps and string lights to make your space cozy and inviting. You may also want to invest in a desk lamp that lets you adjust the brightness depending on your needs. Take some inspiration from other college students and see how they’ve used lighting to create a home away from home.
