You’re off to college, and the unavoidable reality is that you’re living in a shoebox with bleached white walls, on a college girl budget and running for class at 8 a.m. Don’t give up just yet. Get creative with these ideas and make your space cozy, personal and feel more like home.
1. Try not going overboard because most dorm rooms aren’t large enough to fit everything in, so remember that simplicity and multifunction are key aspects to make your room feel less cluttered.
2. Dorms are known for halogen lamps and flickering tube lights, so get good lighting! Buy a floor lamp, desk lamp and fairy lights to liven up the room.
3. Chances are that the room comes with less-than-ideal blinds. You can really make the room plush and welcoming by adding (or changing) the curtains.
4. Posters are essential! Most hostels don’t allow wallpapers, so these posters will travel with you through college. Try wall decals if you’re not a poster person, or make a fun collage by filling up your walls with pictures of family, friends, your idols and your dog.
5. Get more space by making a make-shift side table with a stack of textbooks next to your bed or using large storage bins that can be placed under your bed.
6. Invest in grown up stuffed animals (i.e. a lot of cushions and throw pillows) and try not to drool on them.
7. Go green! Buy a few plants to really spruce up your room. Even if you don’t have a green thumb, buy a few cacti for your windowsill, which are comparatively harder to kill and require lesser care.
8. Visually increase the size of your room by hanging a mirror. Brighten it up by painting and embellishing the frame in a shade of your choice. Buying rugs is also a good way to make your room cosier.
9. Always remember to utilise your space. Poufs, floor cushions and beanbags can be used as ottomans, coffee tables and leg rests.
10. Start an inspiration or message board by hanging a decorative memo/cork board and pin things to make you happy, whether it’s a magazine cutout, a quote, or the map of a country you really want to visit.
