You’ve met your roommate, organized your things but realize you still have a lot of empty shelves and walls. Making your room into the dream dorm room you’ve always wanted is easy! With sites likes Pinterest, Tumblr, Instagram and Facebook inspiration is readily available 24/7. Here are 5 simple things you can do to make your room the talk of the floor!
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Wall of Fame
A picture wall not only personalizes your room it also adds color and is an awesome conversation starters. Places like Walmart and Shoppers have Photo Printing machines that have a USB connection so you can plug in your phone and access your phone’s photo library and even log into Facebook/Instagram to select and print out your pictures. It’s very economical too at about $0.19 each making it perfect for students to print out a bunch and pick and choose what to put up later. Your Wall of Fame helps keep those important to you close and keep those memories a little closer. Once your pictures are developed you’re almost done. All you need is a corkboard and some cute pushpins or a blank wall and some non-marking wall tape. Bam! The first step in getting your dream dorm is done.
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Colorful Mugs and Jars
So you have some things for your wall and now need things to fill up your shelves. Mugs are a great and practical way to liven up your room. Affordable and handy, they’re good things to have to change up your morning tea or coffee or when friends come by to visit. There are cute ones at Chapters that have your initials on them or you can get ones with a pretty design from Winners, Target, Anthropology and even Dollarama. Most of these stores are on the city bus route too! Aim for three to four mugs, any more than that will make your room look like a coffee house. In addition to your lovely mugs, add some small interesting jars and bowls. These don’t have to match either and definitely don’t have to be expensive. They’re a different alternative to storing things like jewelry, hair accessories and make up. Plus they just look great!
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Bedding
Duvets, comforters and sheets seem to be one of the favorite things most girls I know like to shop for (I’m guilty of this!). In small dorm rooms your bed is often the first thing people see – and pretty much the only thing to sit on. So why not make it cute and comfy?! Patterns say a lot about your personality. Country girls may prefer a matching quilt set or something homey, girly-girl’s may prefer something bright with a pattern (and often pink) and girls into sports may prefer ones that are simpler or have their favorite team’s logo on it. Pick something you’ll look forward to crawling under each night! And don’t forget the most important item on your bed, a mattress topper!! You can get them for less than $20 and they can make the most uncomfortable mattress something worthy of a good night’s sleep.
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Bathroom Essentials
Whether you are on an all girls or co-ed floor bathroom essentials are a necessity. A robe is a definite must for your ‘post shower’ routine. A girl needs to be a lady when walking by the hottie’s down the hall and not risk a towel dropping off causing a very embarrassing situation. While you take your stroll down to the showers don’t forget your shower caddy as your robe accessory. It helps make sure you have handy everything you’ll need from hair products to soap, razors and your toothbrush. Most drug and department stores carry a variety of flexible bags styles or plastic caddies that resemble a toolbox. Choosing pretty items like these are also awesome if you share a single bathroom with your roommate, it’s simply another way to surround yourself with things that make you smile.
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Finishing Details
Things like posters, lights, and extra blankets aren’t necessary but sure do add a little something extra! Posters of people you admire, places you want to visit and bands you love are generally cheap and great for cheering up those dreary plain walls. They say something about you and what your interests are and again are great conversation starters. Inspirational quotes or posters are also a perfect way to personalize and beautify your room. They are a great source of motivation to you and your roommate.
Lights are also an excellent way to change the mood in your room. A desk lamp of course is a must however string lights are a great addition. They’re functional and inexpensive and are very helpful for when your roommate goes to bed and you still need some light. With a variety of colors and shapes, you can find the perfect match for your color scheme.
Blankets are also an awesome addition to your room for many reasons: a) They’re pretty, soft and keep you warm b) They’re great to use when friends visit and c) You can take them anywhere; on the train, the bus, to the dorm lounge for a movie – wherever!
As you can see making your dream dorm room a reality is simple and a wonderful way to express yourself. Surrounding yourself with things that make you happy and are functional can only help make your room a good study space and become something you can call your own.