Dorm Room Decorating

So you're going away to college, leaving home for the first time. Moving from your bedroom in your parents house into a, dare I say it, dorm room. The idea can be frightening, as well as exciting. A new environment is always something to look forward to, but a dorm room? Sure, there are better things out there, but sometimes you have to make do with what you have. And being a college student means you probably don't have a lot of…well, anything. And on top of that, you may have to share your already small space with a roommate, who could possibly have very different taste than yourself. So you want to decorate, without a lot of money and room, and without overpowering your roommate's own decorations. In case you're trying to figure out how to do that, I have a few tips to get you moving in the right direction.

Bring the memories - As many times as you insist that you won't miss home, chances are you'll end up feeling a little homesick at times. Whether it's mom's home cooking, or friends from high school that have gone separate ways. There's bound to be something that you'll miss, so bring the comforts of your old home to your new home. Pictures are the cheapest, most valuable, most personal items you can have. Spread them around the room, frame a couple and keep them on the table beside your bed. Sometimes, after a long day of classes, a familiar face can make it all better. You can also bring posters or other decorations that you had in your bedroom. Anything that reminds you of home can be very comforting in a transitional phase.

Storage containers - The room is probably going to be small, as many college dorm rooms are. Especially after you and your roommate have moved all of your stuff into it. Storage containers are a great way to save space and organize. And the best thing about them is you can slide them under the bed. Or, if you're exceptionally eclectic, you can throw a piece of cloth over them, and viola, an instant end table or stack them on top of each other to get a nightstand.

Eclectic is in - So what if your pillow cases don't match? Your area rug doesn't match the color of your walls, your sheets don't match your comforter? Who cares? Eclectic is in. You can get many random things, and put them together, and it can bring a room together in a very eclectic way. And while you're picking things, remember that mirrors and bright colored objects can make a dull room bright. Just make sure that all you choose to put in your dorm has some sort of balanced harmony. You can't just throw things together for the sake of throwing them together. When they come together, they should fit well together. If not, maybe you should try sticking with conventional decorations. There's nothing wrong with conventional either.

Thrift Stores are also in - Your local thrift stores, such as Salvation Army or Goodwill, should be one of the first places you stop when you're in need of something spicy for your dorm room. Good ol' cheap stuff that can bring life to any dull, lifeless dorm room. Buy yourself an end table, or a cool, vintage lamp, or a Rolling Stones poster. Anything that catches your eye. It's a cheap and cool way to decorate your space. Just wait until your friends ask you, "where'd you get that?" Your dorm will be the envy of campus.

The most important thing to remember when decorating your dorm room, is to make sure it suits you. Make sure it's a comfortable place for you to spend your time, because, with sleeping, eating, watching TV, entertaining, and studying, you will be spending a lot of your time in there. Cool does not always have to be expensive, and dorm rooms don't always have to be dull and boring. Sometimes it just takes a creative eye and very little money.