6 Dorm Decor Tips to Make the Most of Your Space

College is an exciting time filled with new friends, great experiences, and more independence, especially if you’re moving away from home and into a dorm or student-apartment! Living in a dorm or student-apartment will allow you to make tons of new memories with new friends (roomies!), but it will also present a small challenge when it comes to organization and space. You’ll learn a whole new meaning to the term “close-quarters!” Here are some tips for college dorm decor that will not only help you make the most of your small area, but also make it feel like home. Be Wall-Friendly Make sure you stock up on wall-friendly mounts and adhesives. You do not want to have to spend any money or time repairing wall damage when you move out! Some dorms do not allow anything that could potentially damage walls to begin with, so removable mounting tape and hooks, like the kind made by 3M and similar companies, are your best bet. Other things that are useful and non-damaging are push-pins, double-sided tape, Washi tape (which comes in cute patterns and colors), and painter’s tape. Go Vertical Floor space will be limited, so a good piece of advice is to go vertical. Stackable boxes or drawers, slim bookcases, or items like behind-the-door hanging mirrors will keep as much floor space available as possible. Think Dual-Purpose When shopping for your dorm or apartment, or bringing things from home, look for items that have a dual-purpose: if it can be used in multiple ways, it will help you save on space! Trunks can serve not only as storage for large, bulky items, they can also be used as table tops. Filing cabinets with multiple drawers are great for organizing school work and extra items, while serving as a bed-side table. They even make mini-fridges with dry erase or chalk board doors, giving you an easy place to jot down a quick note or shopping list! A great tip we saw on Pinterest that we absolutely love is to create your own headboard using cork board. Purchase cork board from an office supply store or cork flooring material from a home improvement store (the latter is usually less expensive), cut to your desired size, and cover with fabric, or decorate with paint or Washi tape. Slip it between your bed and wall, and you’ll have a unique and useful headboard! You can then use push-pins to hang jewelry, art, photos, to-do lists, and more. Maximize Your Space Maximize the space you have by eliminating unneeded items and making the best use of space-saving techniques. You may think you need to bring all 50 pairs of your shoes, but if you haven’t worn them in six months — and they’re not rain boots or flip flops” “think about donating. Besides paring down your collection of shoes and clothes, another way to save space is to use slim or collapsible hangers in your closet, as that is usually one of the smallest places in a dorm room. One of our biggest tips for making the most of your space is purchasing bed-risers. They’re typically inexpensive and give you access to more storage space under your bed. Stay Organized Clutter not only affects your mood, it affects your productivity, too (and studying can be tough enough without added distractions!). Plus, a messy room will immediately feel smaller. Keep your items neat and organized by utilizing drawer organizers, plastic bins, or your handy-dandy DIY headboard. Make sure to have a set space for all the things you’ll need, from toiletries to healthy snacks. If something just does not fit anywhere, be honest and ask yourself if you really need and use the item. If the answer is no, donate or throw it away! Make It Yours An important aspect of preparing your dorm or apartment is to make it comfortable: this will be your new home, or at the very least, your home-away-from-home! Consider bringing things like small trophies or medals you’ve won, your very favorite high school cheer bow, or a favorite poster as items with personal importance will make the space feel like yours. We think some of the best things to bring are photos of your friends and family! These are easily used for decorating and will remind you of great memories while you’re busy making more! One of our favorite ideas for decorating with pictures is to hang them from a strand of white holiday lights using small clips. You can easily hang the lights above your bed or desk using mounting tape or push-pins. This decoration adds light, warmth and a personalized touch all at once! Another fun way to use your photos is to make a heart collage. To create a heart, just form one half of the heart on each side of a corner wall. Photos, personal items, and good lighting will help make your new room feel cozy and inviting. Will you be living in a dorm this fall? How are you planning on decorating?