+formydormroom: Methods of hanging things on your dorm room walls (or doors)formydormroom:
Unless you attend a college/university that allows you to paint the walls of your dorm room, you’re left with temporarily covering up those dull (usually white or whitish) walls. Whether you decide to cover them with posters, photographs, or picture frames, you have many options on what to use to…
(via beachbubb)
+thegoodlifeoncampus: Combining Dorm Safety with Dorm Decorationthegoodlifeoncampus:
Sure you want to be safe at college, but you don’t want your dorm room to make you look like a paranoid freak that doesn’t trust their own mother (and if you don’t trust your own mother I won’t judge; I’m sure you have your reasons). But let’s be honest, no one wants to live in an unsafe dorm room…
(via beachbubb)
+"50 Awesome Interior Design Tips for Your Dorm"formydormroom:
April 18th, 2011
Most dorm rooms are small and have a tendency to look a bit institutional, but that doesn’t mean you can’t spruce them up and make them feel like home once you move in. There are numerous ways you can turn that tiny shared space into an enviable hangout without spending a lot of money or taking time away from studying for your college courses, which (after all) is why you are living in that dorm room in the first place. Here are some great interior design ideas and tips that can help you turn your dorm room from drab to fab.
Before Moving
Before you move into your dorm room, consider these tips that will help you to get what you need and plan to make your room look great.
- Find dual-purpose items. When you’re working with a small space, finding items that can do double duty is essential. One of the best? Storage ottomans.
- Plan in advance. If you can, tour your dorm ahead of time or see if you can get a floor plan. That way, you’ll know how much space you’re working with and know what to buy.
- Don’t skimp on bedding. Your bed is going to be more than just where you sleep. You’ll also use if for studying or seating when friends come over, so make sure to get good quality, attractive bedding.
- Choose a theme or color scheme. Whether you want a Paris-themed room or just design around a particular color, talk with your roomie ahead of time to plan how you’ll decorate.
- Shop smart. There are a wide variety of lists out there that can help you know what to buy and what you can pass up.
- Find some interesting old pieces.If you’re into vintage style, check out thrift and resale stores for old pieces you can turn into something new and fresh.
- Be practical. You aren’t going to be able to bring huge furniture or everything you own with you. Plan accordingly for the space so it won’t feel cramped.
- Choose attractive appliances. You’ll not only be using them on a daily basis, but will have to look at them as well, so opt for ones that will look great in your room.
- Keep it green. You’ll feel good about your room decor when you know it’s sustainable, so keep an eye out for eco-friendly sheets, personal care items, rugs and more for your room.
The Basics
These tips cover some of the basics of good dorm room design.
- Invest in storage. When allocating your funds for dorm room decor, do not forget about storage. You’ll need a place to store books, paper, clothes, shoes and other items.
- Clear out the clutter. Clutter can make an already small dorm room appear even smaller. Keep things simple instead.
- Add color. Dorm rooms are usually a bland beige, but you can spice them up with colorful bedding, rugs and artwork.
- Don’t forget a study space. When laying out your room, never forget to leave space for your studies. You’ll need a well-organized and spacious desk for writing and working.
- Keep electronics sleek. If you can afford it, the smaller your electronics can be, the better. LCD screens, laptops and slim speakers can all help save space.
- Simplify. Want a dorm room to look great? Limit what you bring or choose to display.
- Keep it clean. No room, however wonderful, will look good if it’s filthy so work with your roomie to keep things tidy.
- Pay attention to details. In a small space, every detail counts, so don’t neglect small things like decorative accents, photos and interesting pillows.
Decorations
Make your room look great with just a little work and a small investment when you use these tips.
- Add a mirror. A mirror will reflect light and help your room to look bigger and brighter. Plus, it can be useful for checking your hair or makeup on the way out of the door.
- Opt for a few large photos on the wall. Instead of a ton of small photos, a few large prints on the wall can make a bigger impact.
- Hang your photos on a wire. If you want to display photos of your friends and loved ones, consider clipping them to a clothesline or wire for cute and functional design.
- Create custom lampshades. Why go with a boring white shade when you can make it fun and personal with fabrics and crafting supplies?
- Add plants. Plants will help your room feel more homey and will help to clean and purify the air to boot.
- Find removable wall art. There are a number of companies out there that sell cool decals you can affix to your walls for a more personalized room.
- Frame postcards. Simple items like postcards and memorabilia can get new life when framed and hung in your room.
- Hang pretty curtains. Dorm curtains can be pretty ugly, so replace them with your own nicer version instead.
- Put your favorites on display. Make your room really feel like home by displaying some of your favorite possessions.
- Switch things up. Who says you have to keep things the same all year? Switch out bedding, decorative items or rearrange your room for a whole new outlook on dorm life.
- Add color to walls without painting. Most dorms will not let you paint, but that doesn’t mean you can’t spice up your space. Hang fabric or colored paper on the walls to make it look bright without a drop of paint.
Storage
With such limited space, good storage is essential for your room. Here are some tips to help you maximize it.
- Go digital. Instead of bringing loads of movies and CDs with you, transfer them to a hard drive to save space and still be able to enjoy your favorites.
- Go beyond the plastic crates. Plastic crates are functional, no doubt, but they aren’t always attractive. Look into other storage options for your room instead.
- Raise your bed. If your bed doesn’t sport drawers underneath, consider raising it to get more storage space for your things.
- Choose hooks and hangers. Removable hooks can make it simple to hang clothes, artwork, lights and other items around your room.
- Maximize closet space. Bins, baskets, over-the-door hangers and other storage solutions can help make even a tiny closet perfect for your wardrobe.
- Loft your beds. If your school allows it, lofting your beds may help make your room feel bigger and more spacious.
- Shelving is essential. No matter the arrangement of your room, you’ll need space for shelving to house your electronics, books and other things.
- Cover it up. Don’t want to look at the clutter under your bed or on the shelves? Hide it with a panel or curtain.
Sharing Space
For many students, the dorms will be the first time they’re sharing a bedroom. Use these tips to help you work with your roomie to ensure you enjoy the experience.
- Small can be cool! A small space can be great, even if it doesn’t seem like it at first. Embrace small design and make your room the best it can be.
- Experiment with arrangements. See what works best for you and your roomie for practical and aesthetic reasons before fully moving in.
- Coordinate. Call your roommate ahead of time and figure out what each of you wants to bring so you can coordinate purchases and colors.
- Hang a memo board. This will not only look nice, but it’s a great way to communicate with your roomie.
- Think about privacy. Because you’re sharing such a small space, you’ll need to think about privacy concerns as well. Screens and curtains can be one way to offer privacy while still thinking about design.
- Work with your roomie. You’re going to have to learn to live together, so it won’t hurt to start decorating together.
Making it Homey
Your dorm room will be your home away from home for the next year, so make sure you feel comfortable there by using these tips.
- Add some rugs. A rug will help warm up the room and make it feel more comfortable. Choose rugs that are easy to clean and maintain.
- Bring reminders of home. Photos, a favorite blanket and other personal items can turn an impersonal room into a homey haven.
- Personalize purchases. Add a little fun and personalization to items to make them your own.
- Place small lamps. Overhead lighting is great, but it is often harsh and won’t help if you want to study and your roomie wants to sleep.
- Add custom throw pillows. You can make your own coordinating throw pillows with only a little sewing that will make your bed more comfy and your room more pulled together.
- LED candles. Most dorms do not allow candles, but you can still enjoy the warm glow they provide with these battery-powered alternatives.
- Add a little luxury. Most dorm room stuff is inexpensive– and not without reason– but make sure you have at least one little splurge in your room.
- Keep it comfy. Dorms aren’t known for being comfortable places, so invest in pillows, rugs, bedding and anything else to soften up the space.
(Source: )
+My tan lines: I'm in lovebeachbubb:
I’m pretty sure I have fallen in love. I wake up in the morning and the first thought I have is him. I wonder what he is doing and I wish that I could roll over and see him sleeping next to me. I get out of bed and get dressed and I wonder what it would be like to live together and to share a…
So I just had a major freak out… I am suppose to turn in my AP Bio lab tomorrow and I forgot it in my locker. So I had to bribe my partner to do let me copy hers. She would have done it any way but I felt bad. Anyways… I was thinking I was going to get Andrew’s package today but nope. Maybe tomorrow. I’ve been waiting since before Christmas. Silly boy. I hope he is doing okay. I may or may not be able to hear from him this weekend. I don’t know if he comes back from the field or not. I actually don’t even know if he really is in the field let alone if he got picked up still. Oh well. I just know he is safe and hopefully remotely happy. He wasn’t the last time we talked and I think that is why I am freaking out so much. I just don’t want him to be depressed. It was really painful to see him like that because usually its the other way around. He is always a optimist and I the pessimist and he is always telling me something to feel better. With the tables turned, I wonder if he feels the way I felt. I have to rethink before I go to him hurt all the time. but anyways, I hope he is better. If he is in the field, then at least he has something to do. I know he was complaining about being bored because they didn’t do anything check in day. Ha I saw a picture of Mount Mother Fucker someone posted on Facebook. He complained so much about it. Now I see why… And while he is out being a bad ass, I am home with thoughts of exams, graduation, summer, and prom stuck in my head all at once. I keep getting stupid prom magazines. The dresses are wayyyyyy to expensive and not very attractive… I think I’ll start dress shopping early March. And also I’ll buy the dog tags ad engrave them so I can send them to Andrew then as well. I’m soooooooo excited to ask him to prom! I’ve been planning this since a little before summer last year. SO EXCITED! I think by March, everything will speed up, and soon it will be prom, I’ll know 100% where I’m going to college, then graduation, and then finally summer!!!!!! Thank God!
+My tan lines: I want to fall in love.beachbubb:
I want an awesome relationship. I want to be able to love a guy unconditionally. Almost as much as I love the Lord and I love my family and friends. I want to be able to share things with him that I share with no one else. I want to be able to trust him like no one else. I want to be myself and…
+My Silly Little Obsession: Dear Lord, before I close my eyes to sleep, I pray thee, Lord, his...semperfi-gal:
Dear Lord, before I close my eyes to sleep, I pray thee, Lord, his soul to keep. Keep him here, safe and sound. Keep his boots on American grounds. Allow him trips to go back home. Give us time for our love to grow. But when the day comes, and we’re oceans apart, give him peace to calm his heart,…
(Source: mmmkaayxo, via beachbubb)