What You Need To Know About Setting Up Your Home Away From Home: College Dorm Living

If you’re moving away from home for college, and plan to be staying in a dormitory,  you may be concerned about how you will be able to enhance your new space. There are lots of ways that a dorm can be personalized, and made to be a unique representation of you as an individual. Just remember that it'll be a very small space, so think small ideas for a big impact. You can break it down into three obvious areas that you can add personalization through: your bed, the wall above your bed, and your storage space (dresser, trunk, etc.)

While searching for ideas on bedding for your new dorm, keep it friendly. You will be sharing the room with another person, so avoid anything that might be too loud, graphic, or obscene. On the same hand, this is college! So feel free to opt for a more adult kind of bedspread set than you may have had at home previously.

The bed is going to essentially be the focal point of your primary space, so place the focus of your decorating here. Throw pillows added to your bed make a nice addition, with a classy touch. Explore your color choices as a means of creative outlet.

You’ll also have a small amount of wall space above or around your bed, on your side of the college dorm room, that you might be allowed to hang pictures or posters on, depending upon your college’s house rules. If you can in fact use this space, then it makes a really nice place to add a touch of individuality to as well.

You can of course, use it for basic picture hanging space. Photographs from home or posters add to the blank wall- however, you can also think about using it for a more functional space. A small bookshelf mounted to the wall is an excellent place to store books safely and put away, and looks nice too. A small dry erase board can be used to write down important reminders or jot your schedule on.

Your furniture for storing clothes as well as other items can also be a way to exhibit your personality. Consider adding funky knobs to dresser drawers, or painting your furniture a color that matches your bedding. Place live indoor plants that are simple to care for, like bamboo, on the tops of your furniture to add a very homey feel to your new private space. Paint for your furniture is incredibly inexpensive and can change yours from boring to exciting in a few simple steps.