You made it. You are officially an upperclassman… or at least a sophomore. You walk around campus with an air of confidence, wearing appropriate shoes and actually having people to say hi to on the sidewalk. This is going to be the best year yet!
But what’s this? Your dorm is…BARE?!
Were you one of those freshmen who couldn’t care less about your temporary residence, or were you simply too busy being a baby orange that you didn’t have time to deck out your dorm last year? It’s not too late! That’s the beautiful thing about college. Each year presents a clean slate to start new and do whatever you regret neglecting the prior semester.
In this case: dorm décor. Let’s get started.
Brighten Up!
Syracuse’s weather is absolutely gorgeous—until October rolls around. Just because it looks like gloom and doom outside, that’s no reason you can’t highlight the best assets of your room.
Try concealing old, worn wood cabinets and closet doors with colorful scrapbook paper. Papyrus sells gorgeous sheets paper for $3. They’re sturdy and stunning, and the price is nothing compared to standard wallpaper.
Hang Ten
Posters are great. They can be ironic, iconic, comedic, scenic, and overall fantastic for expressing your personality. They give visitors insight to your favorite entertainment. They set the tone for what kind of conversation you and your guests could have. Posters with inspirational sayings or role models are constant reminders of why you’re up late studying in your dorm rather than dancing down Comstock.
Worried about looking cheesy? Try covering 10% of your wall space with posters and filling the rest with tapestries or photos.
Prioritize When You Accessorize
Your first year at Cuse was a time of adventure, discovery, and KNICK-KNACKS. Knick-knacks galore – enough to overflow the Hall of Languages, or at least hide any trace of your desk’s existence.
It’s okay to have a few mementos on the shelf, but clutter is never cute. Want to clear your head? Clear your space. Add accent pieces that double as useful office supplies and storage. Check out Bando, Paper Source, Kate Spade, and Anthropologie for well-made, chic pieces worth the investment.
‘Tis the Season
Don’t confuse excitement with conformity. It’s perfectly acceptable – in fact, encouraged and loved by all – to be joyous around the most wonderful times of the year! Embrace each opportunity by decking the (residence) halls.
Pinterest is chock full of DIYs that will get you and your roomie in the holiday spirit without breaking the bank. For Halloween, fill up a glass dish with candy corn; it’s decorative and delicious. Festive garlands and wreaths are easy ways to sprinkle holiday spirit throughout your room without wasting space. Check out blogs and future HC posts for more holiday ideas.
Count Your Blessings
It’s easy to get overwhelmed in the midst of essays, exams, work, clubs, and maintaining a social life. Little reminders of why you’re working so hard are a great way to cheer up your room and remember to smile.
Hang photos of friends and family on a clothesline or with fun paper clips. You can create a photo collage under a clear sheet and cover your desk with happy memories. To keep your focus on the future, consider making an inspiration board or official list of goals for the year to hang above your desk.
Most importantly, don’t be embarrassed to decorate your dorm the way YOU want to. If freshman-you was worried that your friends would make fun of your Disney calendar or your life-size cutout of Jason Derulo, forget that! Your greatest critic is yourself.
So have fun! Decorate your dorm in the style of your dreams, whether that’s as a gypsy bohemia, preppy collegiate corner, or mix of all styles. It’s your space, so get comfortable! (And creative.)