All college dorms look the same when you first move in. Dull colored walls, dim lighting, and plain furniture. You’ll be spending most of the year (8 months) living in these small spaces with your roommate, why not make the place your own? Coming from an on-campus resident of 4 years, I will pass on my knowledge and ideas I have used and currently use to those who are seeking new ways to make themselves a home without breaking the bank.
1. Canopy With Lights
What You Need:
- Sheer Curtain (amazon.com has them for super cheap)
- Command Hooks
- Safety Pins
- String lights (optional)
It definitely creates the vibe of being in your own little world and is definitely relaxing at night time. It is the most comfortable way to kick back with a good book or watch Netflix. It may be a little tedious when trying to figure out. It is always good to have a roll of clear masking tape handy for extra support incase the hooks fall! Just hook up the curtain to the safety pins then use those command hooks to stick to the ceiling. Cling the pins to the hooks and you are good to go!
2. Cover Up The Chairs
What You Need:
- A Pillow Case (At Target in any color for less than $10)
It definitely covers up the plain look of the chairs and you can match it to your room or add a big ribbon around it for extra!
3. Mason Jar Pencil Holders
What You Need:
- Mason Jar
- Glitter
- Spray Paint
- Glue
This is definitely a project that needs to be done outside or super carefully in a big space. It adds some color and is put to good use on your desk. Add ribbons, stickers, gems, or anything else you think would look good!
4. Tapestry
What You Need:
- Tapestry (Super Cheap on Amazon.com
- Pushpins or Safteypins + command hooks
You might think “everone has one” or “how unoriginal” but it is no doubt that the right tapestry gives a great homey feel to the dull gray or cynderblock walls. The colors pop and add a vibrance that you can make all your own. And they are a great backdrop for pictures! Stick it up with pushpins or ust like the canopies, pin up the tapestry to saftey pins and hook them on to the command hooks!
5. Personalized Items
What You Need:
- anything you want
Don’t forget to add a little bit of “you” to the room. Show off your interests, hobbies, and what makes you, you. After all, it is your home for 8 months, it should resemble you! Yes, you live with other people, but what makes that so great is that everyone is different, and it is always good to let yourself stand out from the rest.