A student’s first impression of an empty dorm room is
depressing
– a soulless room with bare walls, a flickering fluorescent
ceiling light, stained carpet and dingy furniture.
A student’s first impression of an empty dorm room is depressing – a soulless room with bare walls, a flickering fluorescent ceiling light, stained carpet and dingy furniture. Even after a student moves in, it can still be a boring room with little or no personality. To make a college dorm a comfortable, personalized space takes a little bit of planning and coordination before students move in.
Lynne Meyer, of Lynne Meyer Interior Designs in Morgan Hill, said that most dorms have two major problems: lighting and space. In addition to decorating the room, students should find ways to light and organize their space.
In a dorm, said Meyer, there’s usually only one light in the ceiling, which doesn’t adequately light important areas, such as the desk and bed. Meyer recommended buying a desk lamp, as well as more focused, discreet lighting. “Hardware stores have clip-on lights,” she said, which are useful for illuminating a study area while a roommate is asleep.
Storage space is at a premium in dorms, and Meyer suggested that students make the most of what they have.
“Try to keep the room as clutter-free as possible,” she advised. To take advantage of limited space, Meyer recommended finding storage bins on wheels so that items under the bed are easily accessible. “The best storage is under the bed,” she said.
Students should also find out if they’re allowed to attach shelving to the walls, since there’s ample room to “build up,” and avoid wasting floor space. To store food and drinks, students should see if they can rent a mini-fridge and microwave from the school, or bring their own if permitted.
To personalize a dorm, Meyer suggesting finding coordinating comforter and sheet sets. “Talk to your roommate about at least having the same colors, so it’s not so disorienting,” she said. If possible, hold off on buying bedding until you meet your roommate, so that both of you can go together and pick things that won’t clash.
Many colleges don’t allow students to paint dorm rooms. To add color to the walls without breaking dorm rules, “get king-sized sheets that coordinate with your comforter, and staple them to the wall,” said Meyer. Staples won’t cause much damage to the walls, and the tiny holes are easy to patch if necessary.
College students can cozy up their dorms by bringing area rugs, said Meyer, as well as comfortable furniture if space permits. “Another way to warm up the room is to have a comfortable chair and an ottoman,” she said.
Home-furnishing stores such as Bed Bath and Beyond often stock up on back-to-school items for colleges students in the summer. “It’s a big time of year for us,” said David Slattery, manager of Gilroy’s Bed Bath and Beyond. The story carries just about anything a college student might want for the dorm: bedding, towels, kitchen supplies, furniture, cleaning products and decorations are all available in coordinating colors that change yearly. This year’s colors are deep purple and bright green, said Slattery.
