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7 Ways to DIY Your Room

This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at American chapter.

Welcome back, collegiettes! After a much-needed break, spring semester changes are upon us. Why not start it off with some exciting changes to your dorm room? There are tons of ways to get creative, despite the small size of an average dorm room. Here are 7 DIY ideas to make your room the talk of the hall.

#1 All of the Lights

Did you know that fluorescent lighting (the kind in a typical dorm room) has the chance of affecting your body’s melatonin production? Melatonin is the stuff that tells you that you’re body is ready for some sleep.

So turn off that overhead light in the early evening and turn on some dimmer lighting throughout the room. Even better, string a long strand of white holiday lights across your ceiling and then cover them with a sheer curtain. Your eyeballs will thank you.

#2 To the Window, To the Wall

Posters get expensive. And they don’t always cover much wall space. Instead, try visiting online shops like http://www.etsy.com or used bookstores for stacks of vintage postcards. Decorate floor to ceiling. The height will make your room look larger, too.

#3 Dream a Little Dream of Me

Ward off those bad dreams with handmade dream catchers. They can be pretty expensive to buy, so try getting a group of friends together and making your own. Instructions can be found here.

#4 Sunshine On a Cloudy Day

Bring the outdoors in by adding some life to your room. Get friends together and make baby terrariums in small mason jars. If that seems like too much to handle, Whole Foods has some adorable little plants to brighten your room.  Plants purify the air in your room and add moisture in these dry winter days.

#5 Let Your Chain Hang Low

American’s dorm vanities are pretty amazing. But they can get a little boring and crowded with makeup, jewelry, and most likely an assortment of whatever did not fit on your desk. Make the clutter work by hanging up your necklaces and bracelets with Command hooks from the Container Store or CVS.

#6 Wavin’ Flag

Make a fake headboard for your bed, or decorate other walls in your room, with a statement tapestry. Try your state flag, your favorite teams’, or go patriotic with the American flag. You can also try finding tapestries at thrift stores or online. Tuck holiday lights behind them to really make your decoration stand out.

#7 Seasons of Love

Wintertime is upon us. Take the outdoors in, minus the cold, by stringing snowflakes from the ceiling around your room. Vary lengths and styles to create a winter wonderland. Dental floss works great for hanging if you don’t want to invest in fish line. Grab some recycled paper and get to work. Examples can be found here

Had success recdorating your room? Message us your new space on Facebook and we’ll post the best ones on our page.

IMAGES: http://augenblickblog.files.wordpress.com/2013/03/img_0001_new.jpg

https://24.media.tumblr.com/65b7cdebed45d7febc5dba922c09c231/tumblr_mzth…

https://24.media.tumblr.com/89496e42ae881d32238d470d6c23fdad/tumblr_mzsg…

http://www.amyvolk.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/command-hook-jewelry-o…

http://www.girlsofffifth.com/2013/07/get-the-look-gretchen-jones-brookly…

http://blog.ocm.com/dorm-supplies/cool-dorm-of-the-day/629/

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Addie Cox

American

Born and raised in Princeton, New Jersey, Claire Shriver is a Public Communication major and Marketing minor at American University in Washington, DC. She is the Editor-in-Chief for Her Campus American, Vice President of Communication for AU Social Media Club and an AU Ambassador. This past summer she interned in the Features Department at Marie Claire magazine and has a passion for travel, magazines, and film photography. Kristen Wiig makes Claire cry with laughter and Adele makes her swoon.