Design the dorm room of your dreams

by Brittany Perskin

Starting college is a very exciting time, but it also brings many changes. One of the biggest adjustments can be moving from your spacious, cozy bedroom into a small, empty dorm—not the best trade. However, there’s a positive side! This is your chance to start from scratch, call out your inner designers and create the dorm room of your dreams. Here are a few tips, and several great finds, that should make decorating fun and easy and leave you with a room you can’t wait to show off to your new friends.

Bedding

Since the walls are usually white and the furniture’s wooden, the bed’s going to be the focal point of your room. Start off by selecting a comforter you love, and the rest will follow. Most dorm beds are extra-long twins, so choose sheets and bedding that fit. You should also try a mattress pad. College mattresses are far from plush, so anything to boost comfort is a great investment. Finally, take advantage of pillows. They’re wonderful decorations that can add bursts of color and style (in addition to comfort) and can be swapped from year-to-year without breaking the bank.

Favorite finds:

- PBteen dorm room ideas lets you design your entire bed online. You even have the option of viewing two beds at once, so you and your roommate can select your own styles and still make sure they look great together. Click here to start your own design.

- From funky to girly to chic, Urban Outfitters has all types of decorative pillows that will leave your bed feeling cozy and looking beautiful.

Walls

The walls of your dorm room are usually white, bare and begging for attention. Use these areas to hang photos of friends and family, magazine spreads, posters, album covers and even your own artwork. These decorations can transform a dorm room into your room by expressing who you are and keeping your loved ones close to your heart. On a side note, be careful that your decorations don’t rip-up the walls, because you’ll be responsible for any damage left behind at the end of the year. Use decals, sticky tack and tape that can be easily removed.

Favorite finds:

- Wall Pops! are perfect for your walls, as they’re effortless to put up, take down and rearrange when you’re in the mood. They’re available in a variety of styles from simple shapes to intricate designs to dry-erase versions that can be used as message boards or calendars.

- Spell out your name or initials with these adorable Wire Wall Letters from PBteen dorm room ideas. They’ll give your walls a personal touch while providing a place to hang your favorite pictures and greeting cards.

Organization

Organization is key for a successful dorm room experience. The most important advice to remember is that everything needs a place. You’ll have a lot of stuff and not enough space, but if you plan ahead and invest in extra storage, your belongings will be manageable and your room will remain in order. Also, don’t forget that you can store with style by choosing boxes with decorative fabric and colored drawers that tie into your room’s theme.

Favorite finds:

- Like-It Modular Drawers from The Container Store are definitely a must-have. They max out on efficiency since they’re offered in five different sizes and can be paired with Like-It Modular Bins and Baskets. Click here to create the storage combination that’s perfect for your belongings and space.

- Also from The Container Store are fabric storage boxes that are useful for smaller items and guaranteed to give your room a touch of elegance.

The Extra Essentials

Now that you’ve taken care of the basics, you can focus on additional touches that make your dorm room come to life. Depending on the specifics of your room, you may be able to fit additional furniture, a rug to cushion a hard floor or curtains to cover too-bright windows or open closets. Call the Housing Office at your school to learn about your room and get a jump-start on designing before it’s time to move in.

Favorite finds:

- Check out Urban Outfitters’ collection of fun, trendy rugs. They’re all fabulous, but this Mixed Media Shag Rug is definitely a must-have.

- These Zebra Hang-A-Round Chairs from PB Teen are cute, comfy and compact enough to fit nicely in your room.

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