Whether it’s your first or fourth time moving into a dorm, the living situation can feel a little bleak. The walls are bare, the natural light may be nonexistent, and the space is tiny. Fear not, even the smallest and most unwelcoming of dorms can easily be made into a spot you’ll love coming home to. Here are some of my must-have items to spice up your room this semester.
- Soft lighting.
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The bright, harsh overhead lights can be a little extra when you’re just trying to relax in bed. Items that give off a softer, warmer glow are my favorites to make a space more inviting. Consider the college essential of string lights or even some old Christmas lights you aren’t using. Something simple like a desk lamp or a bedside lamp can also be a nice way to lighten up your room while still maintaining that cozy vibe. And for some extra pizzazz, flameless candles are a college student’s best friend while following fire code.
- Plants.
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As the reigning Worst Plant Mom In The World, you have my blessing to go for fake plants. But if you can actually remember to water your plants, a little greenery in your room is an instant mood booster. I love flowers, so I keep a small vase with artificial roses on my desk for an aesthetic pick-me-up when I’m studying. Succulents are also a college favorite because they’re cute and easy to care for, and there are usually a few events around the Emerson dorms at the start of the semester that let you take home a free succulent.
- Pictures.
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Maybe this one is a given, but some well-placed pictures around the room can spark some happy memories on a stressful college day. Fixtures such as cork boards or shadow boxes are a great way to display your favorite pics and make great wall decorations. You can also combine your pictures with your new ~soft lighting~ with a strand of string lights that come with photo clips.
- Diffusers/scent plug-ins.
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Most of us love a cozy candle, but if you want to follow the rules, you’re going to have to find other ways to get that home-y scent going. Luckily, this is easy to do, and there are plenty of aesthetically pleasing options. Wall plug-ins from brands such as Glade or Bath & Body Works keep a constant scent livening up your room (and bonus points if you stick one in your suite hallway so you can smell that fresh scent from the moment you walk in). I also love diffusers, which are a great way to try out some essential oils for when you want to really indulge in some self-care. Honestly, who doesn’t want the relaxing scent of lavender spreading through your room when you’re chilling in bed?
- Inspiration wall.
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Make of this one what you will. I keep the wall next to my desk covered in little mementos I’ve collected throughout college: a postcard from the Friendly Toast, a Gal-entine from my roommate last semester, and prints from museums. Maybe your own inspiration wall has similar trinkets, or maybe you want to use quotes, magazine clippings, or movie tickets. Whatever you decide, keeping a space dedicated to the happy memories you’ve made at school can be an uplifting visual when you feel stressed out.