Dorm room aren't exactly luxury digs. They have an institutional feel that's not unlike a prison cell, only with bad curtains on the window instead of bars. Your typical dormitory room comes with two beds, two dressers, two desks, and either very old carpet or icy cold tiles.
Looking for some creative ways to make residence hall life seem more homey? Some college students plunk down a whole lot of money to decorate their rooms, but that isn't necessary. With a little imagination, you can make yourself a cozy college environment on the cheap and make yourself feel less homesick.
When looking for dorm room decorations, think colorful. Most dorm rooms are incredibly bland, so be a little more bold with color than you would be if your were decorating a living room or something. Stay away from drab colors like brown or gray and add some bright colors and interesting patterns. In addition, look for things that are cozy. College life is stressful, especially if this is you're freshman year, so you want to create a space that feels like your own little retreat on from crazy campus life.
Here are some tips for how to choose a color for dorm room decorating.
Finally, think creative. It's your dorm room, so it should reflect your own tastes (and the tastes of your roommate, of course, so practice good roommate etiquette and discuss dorm room decorations together). Go beyond the traditional decorating choices. There's nothing wrong with posters and photos, but why not add your own unique touch to your room? And if you do choose posters, consider some of these unique college student poster choices.
Here are some cheap dorm room decorating ideas:
- Postcard murals. Postcards are cheap, colorful, and fun. Collect postcards from places you've been and places your friends have been and turn them into unique posters. If you're crafty, create a postcard mobile.
- Throw pillows. There's no better way to add a quick splash of color and comfort to your drab room. You can spend a fortune on designer throw pillows, but don't. Cheap ones are available just about anywhere. A big comfortable reading pillow will come in handy as well.
- Window decorations. You probably don't have much of a view, so why not brighten up the window? Affix some simple suction cup decorations, and if you're crafty, make your own.
- Curtains. Dorm room curtains are notoriously ugly, and every room will probably have the same ones. Replace them with some colorful curtains of your own and you'll instantly personalize the room. Just don't lose the original curtains.
- Plants. Living things make a room feel much more like home, and since pets are a very bad idea, why not get a plant? Unless you have a green thumb, it's probably a good idea to stick with low-maintenance varieties.
- Lamps. Fluorescent dorm lights are bad for the soul and not good for your eyes either. Lamp light will make your room feel much more like a home.
- Bookends. One thing you're definitely going to need is books, right? So why not add some color to the room with cool bookends? Awesome bookends can be purchased at bookstores like Barnes and Noble, or buy some cheap ones and decorate them yourself.
- Maps. Wall maps are colorful, cheap, and and scholarly in kind of a hip way. Globes are a nice touch as well.
- Drawer knobs. If your boring dorm dresser comes with knobs, replace them cute decorator knobs. Purchase them in a craft or hardware store, or make your own. Just don't lose the original knobs.
- Sports memorabilia. If you're a fan, decorate your walls with pennants and such, Just don't bring in any expensive memorabilia.
For more tips on purchasing the things college students need, check out this College Student Essentials Buying Guide.
Naomi Rockler-Gladen - Instructional designer and freelance writer, Naomi Rockler-Gladen writes some of Suite101's most read work.
