College is intimidating, foreign and overwhelming at times. Your dorm should be an oasis. Design your room to combat the stress and hectic lifestyle that accompanies higher education classes.
#1: The bed is the most important. If you’re going to splurge money on one thing, make it where you sleep. There’s no point aiming at 8 hours of shut-eye a night, if you’re dreading crawling into bed. Make it your own.
TIPS:
a. Buy a comfortable sleep mask, so your roommate’s lighting preference won’t bother you.
b. TJMaxx, Marshalls, and HomeGoods all have brand-name sheets for more than half the price, typically including Tommy Hilfiger, Calvin Klein and Ralph Lauren.
c. Throw pillows are cute, but super expensive, and pretty much unnecessary. Use that money for something useful, for example, that Kate Spade phone case you’re DYING to have.
d. With this mattress topper, say farewell to the the idea of sharing a used bed.
(Lucid 3” Gel Memory Foam Mattresss Topper: Wayfair, $71.99)
#2: Cosmetics are a lifestyle (and pricey) so treat them as such – without the high-end bags, cases, or acrylic drawers.
TIPS:
a. Use mason jars to display your brushes to avoid cramming them into a bag. A set of two can be found on Amazon for $6.54.
b. Use a cereal bowl to lay out your face products, so you won’t have to dig through identically-shaded foundations and powders. Wellsbridge Cereal Bowls can be found at Target for $3.99.
c. Buy a gift box to place under the bowl of face products, and separate your eye and lip products in that. Spritz Blue Gift Boxes can be found at Target for $5.99.
#3: Cleaning supplies might not be at the top of your “necessity” list, but there is NOTHING worse than using a bathroom that you feel grosser coming out of than going in. Keep it organized, and keep it clean.
TIPS:
a. Clorox wipes
b. Windex glass cleaner
c. Air freshener
d. Low-end handheld vacuum.
(Dirt Devil Cordless Hand Vacuum: Target, $24.99)
#4: Arranging your closet is not going to be an easy task, given that most dorm rooms provide the bare minimum for storage space. Use these tactics to be smart and efficient about the area.
TIPS:
a. Keep your shoes under your bed if possible. Avoid hanging storage cubes in the closet, because it will simply take up too much room.
b. Keep it uniform! Use the same colored hangers, and separate your clothing by type or color.
c. Keep your hamper, and even a storage unit in the floor of the closet, so you’re not taking away any hanging space. A three drawer storage cart can be found at Target for $9.68.
#5: Personalizing your dorm will be the best way to make it feel like your own space. Before walking into Pier 1, decide how much is too much, and keep in mind you’re decorating one room, not an entire apartment.
TIPS:
a. Twinkle lights are a great way to turn a bland, uninviting wall into a cozy space– affordably. 100 LED Globe String Lights can be found on Amazon for $12.99.
b. Stick to versatile items such as picture frames, a lamp, a small rug, and desk storage that all match your aesthetic.
For my freshman year at West Virginia University, I used Amazon and Target were great for storage and organizational things, but TJMaxx, Homegoods and Marshalls were my go-to for a put-together, comfortable, efficient chic and subtle dorm room.
If visual inspo helps you along with my suggestions… enjoy!