Decorators' Handbook: Dorm Room Style

I can't believe I'm already seeing ads on TV for Back to School. This summer has really flown by. I'm certain that home stores have been flooded with shoppers ready to stock up on supplies to make their cinderblock rooms aka dorms a home away from home.

Here are some tips:

1. Have fun! Being away from home for the first time is a great experience. Don't let the stress of decorating get to you. It should be a fun experience.

2. Mix & Match: In most cases you will probably have a roommate so if possible talk to roommate before hand and see if you can agree on a color combo. No need to get the exact same bedding set, but it would be pleasing to the eye if you stayed in similar colors. You're room will feel larger and more organized.


3. Your bed is the key focal point in the room, because most times it is the largest piece of furniture in the room. Don't neglect it. There are a bunch of different choices out there, but one of my favorites has to be this:



I would also add some toss pillows in this:



And this:



4. Storage is key! So look for it everywhere. I would make sure to put my bed on lifts and then hide the mess with an easy DIY bedskirt:



Rachel from Nest Egg used burlap in her headboard above, but you can use any fabric you like.


5. Flooring: Since you will have a roommate it is probably best to keep your rug choice neutral. I would probably go with a runner to go in between the beds and stick with sisal

Of course I found a sisal with a touch of orange with this mock-up dorm room:



6. Lighting: A big no-no is florescent lighting and I'm certain that the majority of dorm rooms have them. A key to making your room feel more like home is get lamps to sprinkle through the room and cast a nice glow.


This piece would fit right into the space and provide a lot of light for $90 bucks:



I also loved this little guy for on top of a dresser, desk or night stand:

It's only $15!





7. Soften things up: While the dorm room will most likely come with blinds of some sort it would be nice to add a little something to the walls and break up all that white. Here is where some colorful window panels would come into play. For my mock up I would go with these:




8. Framed: While you are not allowed to nail things into dorm room walls you can use 3M command strips and get some artwork up. Now your first thought might be to paper the walls to cover up all that empty wall. I wouldn't recommend this. It could end up looking too cluttered and make the room look smaller. I would go with some frames in a grid like pattern:



This looks can easily be recreated on the cheap by printing out images you find online on your home computer and using Dollar Store frames. I have found many 8 x 11 frame options with glass at my local dollar tree that would fit the bill perfectly.

Hope you enjoyed all of my little tips for Dorm Room Style.