Dorm rooms are pretty impersonal. Of course, it’s made so on purpose. They are blank canvases in anticipation of their new artists. Young people receive a rare chance to decorate their new room. After all, it’s a place where they will spend many months studying, socializing, and resting.
Of course, whatever room design and decor you have will influence your mood, productivity, level of comfort, and even manage your homesickness. So, decorating your dorm room is not something a student should ever neglect. Unfortunately, though, young people can’t use most traditional decorating routes. Dorm rooms have many rules on what you can and can’t do in your room, including changing its walls, furniture, making holes, etc. So, students need to get creative while abiding by the rules.
So, here is how to individualize your dorm room with a few simple tricks.
Table of Contents
Bring some photos
A photo wall is one of the most common and traditional ways to decorate a dorm room. It’s easy to see why. Most young people have never been so far from home and their loved ones in their lives. Homesickness and nostalgia may kick in early into the semester. Having a special place in your room with photos from home will help you cope and remind everyone you love.
Such a decor piece can be sentimental or quirky and fun. It’s up to you to decide. Mixing those photos with other memory items like concert tickets, postcards, or sweet notes is quite popular. You can use clip string lights or a wireframe to put the photos on without directly pinning them to the wall. Besides, having some lights there will emphasize the meaning of such a piece.
Use the lights
The proper lighting can create any atmosphere you want. So don’t overlook this valuable decor item in your shopping marathon. Make sure to purchase a few different lighting options for a better effect. Thus, you can have some candles for a relaxing, romantic atmosphere. Use two or more bed lamps whenever you don’t want the harsh ceiling light. Such lamps will have a softer light and create a more soothing environment. Lastly, you can purchase bulbs of different colors, like purple or pink, for special occasions.
Get a houseplant
Nothing speaks of a home environment and domesticity more than house plants in the room. Of course, students are always too busy with their lives to care for demanding plants. Fortunately, you have plenty of options with hard-to-kill plants. For example, think of getting several succulent plants of various shapes and forms. They come in a great variety of looks. Yet, they are all very low-maintenance and easy to care for. Just water them occasionally, and they’ll live forever. Also, they don’t grow too high or large over time. In addition, you can produce more succulents by taking a slice from a larger plant and putting it into a new pot.
As a bonus, you can buy nice-looking pots or create alternative options for planting your succulents. Anything with the right size will do. Also, you may hang a few plant pots from the floor or bookshelves to create a boho-styled room.
Pay attention to fabrics
Good fabrics will do half the job in decorating your room. Make sure to pay close attention to any piece of fabric you bring to the room. Start with your bedding. Have at least two bed sheet sets of different colors. Consider getting at least one set of white bedding, as it can fit into any decor. Next, think of duvet covers, blankets, and small pillows. All these items can become excellent decor elements.
In addition, a rug and window curtains will help create a homey look and enhance your room style. So, choose the color scheme you want in your room. It’s best to start searching for these items before going to college. So you will have more time to find each element to create a perfect composition on the spot. Though, of course, you’ll need bed size and window measurements.
Removable wallpaper
As we’ve mentioned, changing the color of walls or putting wallpaper is typically forbidden in dorms. However, you can find a way around it with removable wallpaper. Such a decor element can be put on top of any object, like a painted wall, furniture, or gadgets. Good-quality wallpaper should leave traces upon removal. It’s easy to apply and comes in a great variety of colors, shades, and designs.
Thus, removable wallpaper can be exactly what you are looking for to brighten up the room and make it a bit more personal. Blank one-color walls can look rather boring and simple. So, how about using such wallpaper to create an accent wall? It won’t take much time or money, but it will look absolutely amazing. You can also use the wallpaper to change the appearance of the room’s furniture.
Create a special area
You may not have enough time or interest to redecorate the room. However, it’s not always necessary. Something you just need a small space to set the tone for the rest of the space. Thus, think of creating a special nook where you will put all of your energy. Think about what you will most need in the room. Is it a comfy and functional study nook? You can set a desk, hang a calendar with all your plans, set storage spaces, and put special lighting there. You will complete your homework there, search for an high quality essay writing service on occasion, and have Zoom sessions.
Perhaps, you need an area to host friends. So, it can be a hanging-out corner where you set a few stools, sitting cushions, a soft rug, a foldable tray table, and some string lights for a cozy environment. Such a place will be perfect for relaxation and chilling as a group.
Other students may pay more attention to the kitchen area if they have one. Thus, students will buy all the necessary kitchenware, storage boxes, cute tea towels, and mug sets. Overall, think of the area you feel most comfortable with and focus on it first. Perhaps, it will inspire you to decorate the rest of the room in a similar style.
