Dorm Room Decorating: Simple Ways to Save Space
Most college students, when they first enter their dorm rooms, are awed at the space that is all theirs. After a roommate also moves in, however, that space suddenly doesn’t look so large, and these simple dorm room decorating tips can help save space so that minds have the chance to expand.
Cleaning Out
The first step in space-saving dorm room decorating is whittling down what is actually in the room. Despite the recommended lists provided by decorating and accessory stores, most college students have no need for the extra set of sheets, snack table, or multiple dish sets, no matter what type of dorm room they are moving in to. If possible, preview the dorm room in person to learn whether a desk lamp, chair, or other furniture is provided, and avoid bringing duplicate materials. Another way to cut down on excess clutter is to coordinate with a roommate before moving in: most colleges will provide names and addresses for prospective roommates to get to know one another beforehand, and if one person is bringing a microwave, mini-fridge, or bulletin board, perhaps both roommates can use it. By cleaning out the excess provisions, that tiny dorm room will look just a bit bigger.
Other recommended items that might not be needed in a dorm room:
– Vacuum cleaner if the floors are tile
– Toaster or indoor grill if the campus does not allow heating appliances
– Bathroom cleaning supplies for dorms that use community bathrooms
Lofty Ambitions
One of the best ways to save space while still having a fabulous dorm room is to invest in a loft bed. Loft beds are essentially bunk beds without the bottom bunk, and they free up floor space for a chair, cushions, or bookshelf. Furthermore, loft beds can easily double as towel or coat racks, cutting down even further on furniture and clutter. Because of the space-saving nature of loft beds, some dorm rooms come equipped with them, while in others students will need to inform the campus housing department ahead of time that they are interested in a loft bed. The campus may have a specific provider they require students to use for space or safety concerns, or they may need advance notice to remove the standard bed from the room.
If a loft bed isn’t quite the right style, consider taking a set of heavy duty bed risers along with low-rise storage containers to take advantage of the space beneath the bed. Luggage, extra blankets, seasonal clothing, and extra school supplies can easily be stored under a bed.
Crates are Great
Milk crates are a staple dorm room decorating fixture in nearly every college and university. Available in a wide range of colors and sizes, these plastic cubes are the perfect storage vessel: they can hold items neatly or jumbled, and because they have cutouts it is easy to identify the contents. They are sturdy enough to be used to make shelves, stools, or nightstands. Depending on the crates’ design, it may even be able to hold file folders for efficiently organizing notes, papers, and research. If students aren’t interested in designer versions, ask local grocers if they are willing to part with a few industrial crates. They aren’t as pretty, but they serve the same purpose.
If milk crates aren’t appealing, many discount stores offer wooden cubes that can be organized into a variety of different fixtures, from nightstands and wall units to desk hutches and bookshelves. The cubes may be equipped with drawers, doors, or interior shelves, and though they are more expensive than crates, their versatility can easily be transferred to a first home or apartment as well as other dorm rooms.
Hooking Up
One of the least used spaces in dorm room decorating is the walls. Sure, posters and pictures are great personal touches, but when space is at a premium that area is best used for practical storage. Screw-in or adhesive hooks can be used to augment a tiny closet and are a perfect place for keys, purses, or backpacks. Over-the-door hooks are another hot campus commodity: they can be used for coats, pajamas, clothes, or other gear on a dorm room door. There are also a variety of over-the-door hanging shelves made from wire and fabric that can drastically increase storage space for light items such as towels, shoes, or clothing.
Other items that can easily go on hooks to save space:
– Hats
– Mugs
– Headphones
– Laundry Bag
– Photographs
Footing the Problem
Another clever dorm room decorating idea that saves space is to use luggage that can double as decorative storage items, such as a footlocker. There are many styles of locker available, including those with wheels for easy mobility. Other variations are actually cubes, allowing them to fit in smaller spaces, and they often have pictures on the sides to add flair to a dorm room.
Many other types of luggage can double as useful items in a dorm room. Duffle bags, especially military surplus designs, make rugged laundry bags, while sturdy boxes can be quickly covered with a spare blanket or rug for a unique nightstand or small table.
Small Solutions
As college students take more items with them to school – personal computers were unheard of when their parents were in college – dorm rooms continue to shrink, and every inch of space matters. These small dorm room decorating tips may not save much space on their own, but added together they can create a spacious atmosphere in the smallest dorm.
– Use bulletin boards on the wall for photographs instead of standing frames on precious desk space.
– Declutter a desk with an organizer, perhaps one that is built into a personal desk lamp.
– Don’t get tangled up in cords: use a wireless mouse and keyboard for a desktop computer, or invest in a space-saving laptop.
– Use a hanging wall file for assignments, letters, and other paperwork to keep it from getting lost or accidentally trashed.
– Leave CD and DVD cases at home and use a portable carrier with individual sleeves instead.
The best dorm room decorating tip of all: keep it small! If any item isn’t used frequently, the chances are it won’t be missed too badly if it isn’t in a dorm room. By cleaning out what isn’t needed and taking advantage of every inch of space, whether it’s with a loft bed, hooks, or reusing luggage, a dorm room can be both stylish and functional without being overcrowded.
