Dorm Room Decor: The Do’s and Donts for College

Do’s – to remember when decorating your college dorm

Dorm Room Essentials:

Dorm rooms are limited for space since students share rooms. Leave your extra clothes and accessories at home or go for them at a later date. For example, you can leave your winter clothes at home and get them during thanksgiving break as you drop off the warm-weather clothes.

Bring along a cute dorm room laundry bag too!

Image via: Etsy – Hen House Originals – Dorm Essentials Laundry Bag

Get Dorm Room Decor Ideas from our Burlap and Succulents Store:

Our Burlap and Succulents Zazzle store can give you ideas for bedding, pillows, blankets and throw blankets to make your dorm room look awesome!

Dorm Bedding – Choose fun patterns!

Buy bedding that will endure 4-5 years of college. You can get a synthetic down comforter which is perfect for all seasons and add style with a colorful duvet cover. Even when pulled up, a comforter makes a room look cleaner. Buy a machine-washable cover with a beautiful print that hides stains.

Dorm Room Decor Don’ts – Try not to do in your college dorm

Buy Small Accessories Immediately After Settling In

Don’t buy unnecessary accessories as soon as you move into your dorm room. While it can be tempting to buy cool items you may find that you don’t need some items after a while. Additionally, things go on sale sometime after school starts so it is advisable to buy then.

Dorm Wall Decor: Don’t Be Afraid of Color

There are many ways you can add color to your dorm room. You can use accent pillows, poufs, decals, or art. Even if bright colors aren’t your thing, try to choose accessories with happy tones that will brighten up your day when you’re missing your family or suffering from winter blues.

There are many things to consider as you go off to college and dorm room décor may be the last thing on your mind. However, it can make a big difference in your overall enjoyment of college life. Since you’ll be spending a lot of time in your dorm room, it is only fair that you make it a small haven. Follow the above decorating dos and don’ts and you’ll be sure to create a gorgeous room that impresses everyone who sees it. In fact, it will quickly become your pride and joy.

Can you share with us your dorm room decorating tips dos and don’ts?

Freshman College Dorm Room Essentials Checklists

College Dorm Room Essentials

As space is at premium at college dorm rooms, resist the urge to carry all your favorite clothes. Few pairs of bottoms, twice the number of tops, a jacket or a sweatshirt and few pairs of shoes should be enough. In order to carry weather appropriate clothes, it’s wise to find out the average climate for each season and pack accordingly. You will also have limited desk and counter space, so make sure to limit items like picture frames and anything else that requires a place to sit. Most likely you will be going back home during the holidays or your parents will pay you a visit, so you will have an opportunity to exchange items for the changing season.

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Comfort items

Comfort items make you feel like at home. While it’s advised to carry such items, you must limit them to the ones you use most often. Share the responsibility with your roommate of bringing stuff like television, fridge, dvd player, stereo and more. Before packing any item, think twice if you really need it. For instance, if you can set an alarm on your mobile, perhaps you don’t need an alarm clock.

College Checklist items:

Bedding

Mattress Pad – Twin XL for College Dorm Rooms

Laundry Bag

Shower Caddy

Desk lamp

Flash drive

Headphones can be a great help when studying and writing papers.

Moreover, if possible try getting a look at your dorm room or call the college authorities to find how big the room is and what all comes with it.

Ultimate College Checklist

When preparing for a life’s new journey, it’s highly possible to forget stuff like medications, first aid box, and important documents and papers. If you are planning to take your car along, do remember to carry your driving license, car insurance, and auto registration.

While you should try to create a comfortable living space, unnecessary items will only clutter your room and will eventually lead to a stressful environment. So, instead of trying to replicate your room at home, pack light and smart.

For more college dorm room ideas on Stagetecture, click here.

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Being organized at college is very essential when you live in a dorm. Needless to say, you don’t have that much leeway in terms of renovation and makeover. You are bound to limitation especially if you’re confined by strict rules in your dorm room.

Organizing your dorm room is a must, unless you don’t care about your things. But the one of the best benefits in organizing your dorm room is the relaxing ambiance that it brings to your stay. So, whether you’re studying or working, an organized room will always be a lot of help.

Image via: Style at Home

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If you want some help, here’s how to organize your dorm room for less:

• Divide and conquer

In organizing your dorm room, you have to identify the space allotted for each item. Always consider the amount of space or simply divide them into zones that will cater things like the bed, cabinets, shelves and other room essentials. This will let you maximize the space you have in your room.

Image via: Pinterest

• Choose furniture that makes the most of your space

With limited space and not much room for expansion, you really don’t want to mess up with an inch of space available. This makes it very crucial to choose furnishings that are just right for its purpose. Well, bigger isn’t always better.

Image via: Houzz

• Look for hidden storage

You may not know it but there are several storages that hide in your dorm room. For instance, you have the back door for hanging your coat or cleaning materials, the bottom part of your cabinet for use as drawer and as well as your bed. These are just some of the areas where you can utilize for storage.

Bear in mind that your dorm room is your safe haven and a place for relaxation after a busy day. Always make it a priority to organize your room during weekends or whenever you’re free. It pays to be organized than having everything in disarray.

For more college dorm room ideas on Stagetecture, click here.

If you’re headed off to college or you’ve already started back you are probably wondering how to personalize your dorm room with just your style, right? Well here are some dorm room collage ideas from you! Take a look at these collages that take some of the best dorm room ideas and puts them into dorm room collections of decor, organization, and trendy solutions for making your college dorm room rock! Try making your own inspiration boards at Olioboard – like my past Olioboard Inspiration members or try Polyvore like these below examples.

Image via: As the Ocean – via Polyvore

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Living in a dorm requires a great amount of organization skills. This is because you are often restricted or have limited access to areas where you can modify. It’s not like your own home that you have the choice to do what you want to renovate at any given time. More often than not, dorm owner doesn’t allow major make over especially when it involves the majority of the areas in a dorm room.

Decorating your dorm room isn’t an overnight task. You have to plan ahead and consider several things before even starting to make your first step. This will lessen your time, efforts and expenses needed in decorating your dorm room. To help you out, here’s how to decorate your dorm room on a budget:

• Make your own artwork

Even if you’re in a dorm room, you have to add something that will represent yourself. To do this, you can create do-it-yourself artworks to show off your skills and at the same time enhance your interior. The artworks will definitely save you a lot of money. Also, make use of the available resources you have for the materials.

Image via: Poetic Princess via – Polyvore

• Spread out the curtains

What makes curtains effective is that it can create an illusion of a wider space for your room. But you have to hang your curtains from the ceiling down to the floor. This will definitely make your room look spacious. It will also create a beautiful highlight for your room interior. Don’t forget to choose the right color motif you want.

• Prefer multi-functional yet stylish furniture

How about a chair with storage function? This is like buying one item for a couple of purposes. You will not only save money but enhance the looks of your dorm as well. You can also have a bed with storage function at the bottom or a coffee table with drawers. These furnitures don’t compromise design over functionality.

Image via: Nahed-samer via Polyvore

You can actually do a lot of ways to decorate your dorm room. Just take some time to plan ahead on what to do and everything will go accordingly.

For more dorm room ideas on Stagetecture, click here.

Going to college is definitely a great challenge. But living in a dorm room while you’re in college is another. You’re in a different environment away from your family and comfort zone.  That’s why you have to be ready emotionally, physically, socially and mentally to adapt to your new surroundings.

Living in a dorm requires a lot of preparations. More often than not, you have to do some makeovers in your dorm room to accommodate you comfortably and fit your things. But you don’t have to worry because you can do several things to cope with these challenges. Check out these 5 essentials for your college dorm room:

5 Essentials For Your College Dorm Room this Year

• Have a convertible work desk

This is not only saving you space but also money. Imagine having a work desk where you can do your assignments and then transform into a comfortable bed after. It’s like buying two furniture items at the price of one.

Image via: Zulily

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• Appropriate lighting

Proper lightings can make or break your day. You need adequate light when you study and a dim light when you sleep. It’s a good idea to have a dimmer setup in your dorm room.  Also, lights can create an illusion of wider space. Look to your local big box store or office supply store for a wide selection of office desk lamps.

• Comfortable bedding

You have to ensure that you always have a good sleep anytime you want. This will rejuvenate your body and recharge you for another day. To achieve this goal, make sure that you have excellent bedding. It would be nice if your beddings match the theme of your room. From sheets and comforters to decorative pillows and shams, think through the colors of your dorm room. Coordinate with accent rugs, window curtains and dorm colorful accessories.

Image via: Bed Bath & Beyond

• Use cardboard & rubber storage boxes

There’s no better way to organize your things than using storage boxes. The storage boxes are designed to cater almost all your dorm room essentials. Bear in mind to only store items that are used occasionally. Also, choose storage boxes that you can easily pile up over the top.

Use fabric, rubber or storage boxes to organize belongings

• School supplies organizer

It is very important that you can access and organize your school supplies quickly and easily. This will save you time and make your room look neat. With school supplies organizer, your things can be in top shape when needed.

Take note of these 5 essentials for your college dorm room to get a great start. Consider these things on top of your priorities.

For more college dorm room ideas on Stagetecture, click here.

Easy Ways to Personalize your Dorm Room this Year

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Personalize your Dorm Room with colorful decor:

Most colleges won’t let you paint the walls, but you can always put a temporary wallpaper. They are easy to remove and require no special tools. Opt-in for your favorite colors or pattern to reflect your personality. Although it’s not essential for your wall décor to complement your roommate’s décor, it might be a good idea to pick colors that blend well with her/his side of the room.

Invest in accessories

Dorm rooms are generally small, with the bed being the largest item in them. So, use it to your advantage by making it a focal point. Pick up patterned or colorful bed sheets with a reversible comforter. The reversible option will help you to change the look easily. Finally, add a couple of matching throw pillows for that comfortable look. Make sure to pick the washable, durable brands that won’t show the dirt easily.

Add a rug for pretty dorm room decor

Place a washable rug in front of the bed to warm up the floor. Not only will it add more color and texture to your room, it will also create a place for you to sit on the floor. Use other decor in the room for inspiration for colors and patterns that add life to the room.

Hang wall art & pictures to personalize your dorm room

Decorating your dorm room walls with picture frames is an ideal way to personalize a bedroom. Stock up on frames in varying sizes and shapes and fill them with images that make you smile. Just remember not to use nails on the dorm room walls, instead use picture hangers that can be removed easily without a trace.

Use these tips to make your monotonous dorm room a little more habitable. But, remember to familiarize yourself with the dorm rules, such as no paint or nails on the walls, before you get started.

For more dorm room ideas on Stagetecture, click here.

Easy Ways to Organize Your College Dorm Room

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Well, you don’t have to worry about being creative. There are so many creative ways that you can work on in your dorm room. You just have to do your research and implement the ideas that best fit your dorm room. To help you out, here are some easy ways to organize your dorm room.

Make room for more desks

More often than not, the majority of college dorms don’t allow you to bring in your own desk. If this is the situation, all you have to do is to re-arrange the desks against the wall to give more space to walk around. For instance, you can line them up together with a sleek desk chair. This should provide more space for your walkway.

Consider moving beds

This should be considered seriously. A sliding bed should give plenty of space around the dorm room. This will keep your beddings and other sleeping essentials nicely organize on the side of the wall. There are even sliding beds that can be transformed into a sofa when not in use. Take advantage of these designs.

Look for possible storage

Looking for a possible storage should help you organize everything. One of the things you can do is to use the back of the door to hang some of your bags or coats. Also, make use of your walls. You simply have to screw some hooks on the wall and use it to hang your jewelries like bracelets, necklace, rings or even your identification card. If you have an extra rack, you can nail it on the wall or the side of your cabinets to hold your magazines, brochure or books.

The above-mentioned ways should solve your problem in organizing your dorm room. Give these ideas a try and you will definitely enhance the way your dorm room looks like.

For more college dorm room ideas on Stagetecture, click here.