Back-to-school fashion doesn’t just apply to the wardrobe anymore.
Each fall students moving into college dorms are faced with the challenge of turning small drab rooms into stylish little abodes. This year many new decorating options are available that are sure to make any dorm room feel like a plush home away from home.
“Dorm trends include dramatic black and whites with hot accent colors such as aqua, hot pink, or lime,” says Robin McDonald, owner of dorm interior design company Décor-2-Ur-Door.
McDonald says that patterns such as damask, houndstooth, and stripes are very popular this year.
“Touches of animal prints in new stylized colors are also hot,” says McDonald.
Decorating dorm room walls is always a popular way to spruce up an impersonal living space, and removable wall decals are a very popular right now.
“Say goodbye to those boring cinderblock walls with stylish and removable wall art available in a myriad of colors,” says McDonald. “Add a giant monogram or photo frame collage collection to frame your memories.”For doubles, triples, and quads, multiple styles can be combined to accommodate roommates with opposing décor preferences.
“If two roommates have different tastes in style, find a common color that they both agree on and work off of that,” says Michele Boggs, an interior design instructor at The Art Institute of Indianapolis and owner of MB Designs.
“With this common color, you can each branch off and select your own fabrics and patterns,” says McDonald. “Try to use the anchor color on the walls to keep the look continuous.”
“It is important to have your own style and personalize your space, but be creative to make the room look unique,” says Boggs.
Generic to Unique
It can be difficult to transform a generic dorm room, with outdated furniture, into a stylish residence but the addition of a few domestic accessories can really make a difference.
“Purchase window treatments to dress up the windows and add a nice floor rug for texture,” says Boggs.
“This will create a more inviting space and feel like home.”
Instead of hiding unsightly desks and dressers under piles of books and dirty laundry, students can easily disguise them with a little creativity.
“The best way to dress up dull desk chairs is the custom slipcovers,” says McDonald. “Throw a runner over the desk or dresser in your room colors to hide the old furniture.”
Lighting is another important feature for dorm room decorating that shouldn’t be overlooked. Students can improve the atmosphere of their rooms by choosing trendy lamps over traditional florescent lighting.
“The lighting needs to be functional, yet stylish,” says Boggs.
Boggs suggests that students use decorative pillows to dress up their bed or sitting area.
McDonald recommends that students should also remember to bring photos of family and friends to use as decorations.
Be Organized
A stylish dorm room isn’t complete unless it has order.
“The key to a great dorm room is organization,” Boggs says. “Being organized will maximize your space and allow you to be prepared for college life.”
Boggs suggests that students purchase items such as key organizers, laundry baskets, and message boards for their dorm rooms.
She also advises students who struggle with organization to ask an expert for help.
The professionals at DesignYourDorm.com are ready to help students arrange their rooms in a stylish yet efficient manner. The company provides students with 3D models of their dorm rooms based on the actual floor plans and dimensions of their university supplied furniture. The database currently has the floor plans of dorm rooms at more than 140 schools.
The site also has a store where students can shop for dorm essentials, collaborate with their roommates, and then have all of the supplies shipped directly to their university.
“Two roommates who have not met before would be able to choose a layout of their future room and then design it together,” claims Bryce Widelitz, co-found of DesignYourDorm.com.
He says that roommates commonly bring the same appliances and furniture, leaving them stuck with duplicates.
“In most cases, schools do not provide an adequate amount of information on what your room will look like and what can fit,” says Widelitz.
DesignYourDorm.com works bring this information and other helpful features to students moving into the dorms.
“Students traveling from across the country often have to rent a car and travel to the nearest big box store to buy all their stuff for their room, instead of spending time getting to know their roommate and hall mates,” says Widelitz.
Storage Space
One commonly overlooked aspect of dorm room decorating is finding furniture and accessories to help maximize space for storage.
“As more kids head off to college, the amount of space in the dorms has been decreasing,” say Widelitz. “Students are being placed in triples that were previously doubles, so storage items have become more important then ever.”
To maximize space, Widelitz recommends that students should purchase storage containers to put under their beds and in their closet.
McDonald suggests that students loft their beds to create additional storage or living space.
“IKEA is a great place to shop for storage pieces at reasonable prices,” says Boggs. “Instead of plastic bins, use canvas baskets under your bed.”
Boggs suggests that students hang decorative hooks for towels and coat storage.
“There are stylish hooks that are easily removable,” says Boggs.
To add extra space in the closet, Boggs says that students should purchase double hang closet racks. She also suggests using colored clothes hangers to personalize the closet.
With all of these décor options to choose from, you’re bound to find something to match your style.