Guest Blogger: How to Create an Inspiring Dorm Room

Guest Blogger #367, Entry #950, February 9, 2012

When it comes to decorating your dorm room, you probably have plenty of ideas about how to make this typically pedestrian space your own. And yet, you are going to face some restrictions when it comes to how you decorate your dorm room simply because of the limited amount of space you have to work with. Oh, and there is the little matter of a roommate to consider, as well, which could put a major crimp in your style if you have items that display a questionable level of taste. However, you and your roomie are probably going to get along a lot better if you can decide on a style aesthetic to stick to, or at least agree that either one can do what they want on their own side without objection from the other. To that end, here are some tips that will help turn your home away from home into the hip hotspot you’ve been dreaming of.

Decorate your dorm room with style and function

Image via: Centsational Girl

Storage

The first thing you should think about is storage. You’re going to have a lot of books, clothing, and so on in your room and you don’t want it all out in the open. But with only one closet or dresser to work with and limited drawers in your desk, you’re going to have to get creative with the décor if you want hidden storage. So think about placing bins under the bed, installing shelves and populating them with colorful bins for loose junk, or even getting storage furniture (like chairs and ottomans with hollow bases and lift-up seats). And if you want a TV, consider installing a corner shelf or swing arm higher up in the room so that it doesn’t have to occupy precious table or desk space.

Decorate your dorm room for your personal style

Personalizing your space

As for personalizing your space, there’s a lot you can do and it starts with a color scheme. Although you may not have the option of painting your walls (at least not without penalty), you can spice up a neutral space with wall hangings, linens, and furnishings in bright, bold splashes of color. Just be careful not to go to crazy with many clashing colors. Stick to one family (cool or warm, for example) and think about the benefits of choosing one main hue for some color on color action (like varying shades of green or red). From there you’ll want to carefully consider the details.

It can be tempting to go overboard with decorations, especially if you have a penchant for hitting up thrift stores and yard sales, but try to limit yourself to just a few cool and eclectic pieces that you can easily spruce up to make them fit your space. Look primarily for things that are first useful, and then with the added criteria that they fit your theme and color scheme (although color can often be changed through paint or other means). Tables, lamps, curtains, and college storage furniture are the first priority, and from there you can think about art and other superfluous decoration.

Once you’ve got your bachelor’s degree in hand and you’re living off campus you can think about pursuing marketing, nursing, or criminal justice masters programs online from the comfort of your own home. But while you’re in the dorms and dealing with restricted options for décor, it behooves you to keep it simple, stick to a theme, and opt for items that multitask within your limited space so that you can enjoy a dorm room that is both functional and beautiful.

For more dorm room ideas on Stagetecture, click here.