Dorm rooms aren’t only places to rest your head at night. Being far from home, dorm rooms serve as a safe space to relax, study, snack, hang out with friends, and yes – sleep. So, how do you create a space that works well for all those activities at once?
This list of must-haves for a dorm room is a quick starting point to get you focused for back-to-school. These dorm room decor ideas will allow you to plan for a cozy, relaxing, comfortable home away from home.
Dorm Room Decor Tips:
- In such a small space, you’ll want each piece you add to perform more than one function—have your additions do double duty.
- Don’t just go for pretty products, have the things you include in your dorm room be beautiful and functional.
- Purchase things that will last for next year’s dorm or your own place off-campus.
Dorm Room Must Haves:
- Filing cabinet or drawers—organize it by class or by type: one drawer for essays, and one for everyday lecture notes.
- A comfortable chair. Though some students end up spending a lot of time in the library studying, for some alone quiet time, you’ll want to make sure that there is an ergonomic chair available especially for late-night essay writing.
- A full spectrum light bulb – for a task lamp. With all the fluorescent bulbs in classrooms, your eyes will want a bit of a break when you get into your dorm room.
- Extra blankets—perhaps with a favourite pattern or colour combination.
- Corkboard—for reminders, to pin up family photos, or snaps of your puppy.
I’ve written a lot of other blog posts related to dorm rooms and back to school, which may help you out:
–Back to School Dorm Room Tips
–Healthy Essentials for Back to School
–How to prepare your child for back to school
–Checklist for Going Back to School as an adult
I also shared my tips with Vancouver Sun writer Claudia Kwan recently: Dorm Room Décor Done Right.
What else would you say is necessary for a dorm room?
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Allyson Bossie says
Now this takes me back to college days! Great post on what to take with you!
nicolthepickle says
Extra blankets are a must!
headant says
I never stayed in a dorm, but my sister did. I would think a stash of easy, healthy snacks. Kind Bars, granola, etc. You need energy while studying!
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Lisa says
I would say all You need in bedroom is comfortable pillow and mattress, anything else is just addition )
Kelli Avery says
Very Good Idea, and tips. My daughter wants her bedroom redone for her 16th birthday this year, something that will represent her style and age a little more. I will keep your ideas and tips in my head while decideing what to do for her. The best one I like is multifunctional. Making sure the elements you add have more than one purpose!
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