You’re heading off to college, and that means moving into a tiny dorm room with one or more roommates. It’s enough to make you long for the spacious bedroom you have (probably) at home. But before you start wallowing, check out these tips for making your new room feel more like home.
Carefully choose your bedding.
Choose bedding that fits the size of your bed. This can be a challenge, since beds come in all shapes and sizes. If you have a twin, don’t buy dorm sheets that are intended for a queen-sized mattress. For example, if you want to invest in an expensive set of Egyptian cotton sheets because they feel luxurious and will last longer than flannel sheets (which tear easily), it’s important to make sure they fit your bed!
If possible, choose comfortable yet durable bedding. Your college years are filled with many exciting experiences—going out with friends, traveling abroad, learning how to cook an omelet—and there’s nothing worse than being unable to enjoy them because your back feels like it’s going to break every time you sit down on the couch at home or curl up under those comfy covers before falling asleep each night. If comfort is important but durability is also high on your list of priorities when choosing new dorm room decorations for freshman year at college then maybe consider something like microfiber sheets which are typically very soft but hold up pretty well over time compared with other materials such as cotton which tend not only wear out quickly but also lose their color over time too due exposure under UV rays from sunlight coming through windows during summer months (or even just normal light bulbs).
Avoid excessively thin or thick blankets/comforters so that no one gets cold when sleeping overnight together during winter months (or hot during summer). Make sure there isn’t too much space between them because everyone needs some personal space while sleeping – especially if someone snores loudly which could wake up others nearby who wouldn’t normally notice until morning comes around again tomorrow morning…
Get a memory foam mattress.
When you’re looking for a new mattress, the first thing to know is that there are different kinds of mattresses. The kind you want will depend on your sleep needs and how much money you’re willing to spend.
Memory foam mattresses provide strong back support and pressure relief for those who tend to sleep on their sides or stomachs. They also come in different firmnesses—softer versions may be better for people with back pain, while firmer ones are good for athletes or heavier individuals who need extra support from their bedding.
If your current mattress has lost its firmness after years of use, memory foam can be added as an insert layer that gives additional support while still being soft enough to accommodate someone’s body weight when they lie down (as opposed to sinking into it). These inserts can also be purchased separately and used over existing beds as needed throughout one’s lifetime, making them great investments!
Make sure you have adequate storage.
To ensure that your dorm room is functional and tidy, you will need to have some way of storing your stuff. This can be done with a combination of shelves, containers and storage units. One great idea is to get an under-bed storage unit. You can keep it in place when not in use and pull it out when you want to use it. Under-bed storage units are perfect for keeping all those extra items that clutter up every surface in your dorm room (and elsewhere) such as books, blankets and pillows.
Another great idea is a container or shelf system that fits onto the wall above your closet door or closet rod; this will allow you to store away clothes so they don’t take up space on the floor or other areas within reach of litterbugs (this may seem obvious but trust me I’ve seen some pretty gross dorm rooms). Another thing I would recommend investing in is a coat rack for each person who lives in the room -this way everyone stays organized!
Paint your room to make it feel like home.
Painting your room is one of the cheapest ways to make it feel like home. If a college student can get away with painting, they should take advantage of that opportunity. There are many colors to choose from, but whatever color you decide on, be sure that it makes you happy and gives off a vibe that’s in line with your personality and tastes.
If painting walls isn’t allowed at your university or dormitory, temporary wallpaper is an option worth considering. As long as they’re willing to pay the cost, students can customize their wallpapers themselves or order custom designs from companies such as Design Your Wallpaper.
Add removable wallpaper.
When you’re looking for cheap dorm room decorating ideas, removable wallpaper is a great place to start. It’s inexpensive, easy to install and can be taken down without damaging the paint underneath. The best part? There are tons of designs you can choose from.
Consider a loft or bunk bed.
Before you buy a loft or bunk bed, consider these tips:
- Keep it simple. A loft is great for maximizing space in a small dorm room, but if you don’t need all that extra storage space and just want to get your head on the pillow at night, skip it. Likewise, if you’re not keen on climbing up and down from a ladder every day or two (which may be necessary for some lofts), opt for something with stairs instead of a ladder.
- Think safety first! Before buying any furniture or decorating accessories for your dorm room, make sure they’re safe and durable enough to last through four years of use by college students who are notorious for being careless when they’re in “college mode.”
- Pick something comfortable—even if it’s not perfect aesthetically! The most important thing about choosing furniture is making sure that it’s comfortable enough so that you won’t mind spending time sitting or sleeping in it—even if its aesthetic isn’t perfect.
Create a fun seating area with a hammock or beanbag chair.
- Make sure your hammock is safe. If you choose to hang your hammock from the wall, make sure it’s sturdy enough to support your weight and that of anyone else who might sit in it.
- You can also hang a hammock from the ceiling by using a carabiner and rope.
- If you want to hang the hammock from a bunk bed, there are multiple methods for doing so that work well on all types of beds:
a) Tie one end of each piece of rope around the bed frame at equal distances from each other (about five feet apart). Tie each other end around two different points along the length of your mattress (the headboard works well if there is one available). This will create a space where you can lie down without getting tangled up in wires or anything else hanging above your bed!
You can get creative when decorating your dorm room.
You can get creative when decorating your dorm room.
- Paint the walls. This is an easy and inexpensive way to make a big impact. If you choose a color that’s already in your room, it won’t look as if it was added on top of everything else, and that’s a great way to add personality without being too ostentatious about it.
- Add removable wallpaper, like this cool “starburst” design by Surya (available at Pottery Barn Kids). It’s perfect for college because it doesn’t require a lot of care—it just peels off after four years! Then you can take it home with you when you graduate and use it again in any other place where strong graphic designs are called for (like maybe even your actual house).
- Get a memory foam mattress. Your bed is arguably the most important piece of furniture in your dorm room (besides maybe those mini refrigerators), so why not invest in something that makes sleeping better? A quality memory foam mattress will help keep back pain away during those long study sessions late at night or early morning hours before class starts up again next semester!
Conclusion
Now for the grand finale–the dorm room essentials that will help you and your roommate live in harmony.
Section: Get a shower caddy to keep all of your toiletries together.
Section: A hanging closet organizer can do wonders for your tiny closet space.
Section: A good laundry basket is essential, so pick one with handles and sturdy materials (or else it will fall apart).
