It’s been a few weeks since you’ve moved into your dorm or apartment. You’ve done a little bit of decorating already—got your matching bedspread and maybe a poster or two. But now that you’ve settled into your daily routine, it’s time to make your room look anything but!
1. Christmas lights with paper cups
It seems like just about everyone has Christmas lights strung up all year round. Sure they’re cooler than the standard-issue overhead light, but do you really want the same vibe as your crazy neighbors with the rotting pumpkins and holiday decorations out all year? Luckily, I’ve got an easy fix for you! Use Dixie cups and scrapbook paper to create delicate lampshades for each little bulb. The end result is so much classier than what the rest of your floormates have!
Check out the full instructions here (http://www.heygorg.com/2011/08/diy-dixie-cup-garland.html)
2. Makeover a Chair
You’re not still using that uncomfortable wooden desk chair that came with your room, are you? Here’s a secret: you can replace it and no one will ever know. Leave that sorry excuse for a chair in your floor’s lounge and switch it with something awesome. Just make sure to put the original chair back in your room at the end of the year or you’ll get in trouble! Now for your replacement: go to your local Goodwill or even dumpster dive until you find the perfect cushy, metal-framed chair. All you need is a screwdriver, some spray paint, a staple gun, and some adorable fabric to make a throne fit for your fabulous room!
See the full tutorial here (http://www.mashiacrafts.com/1/post/2012/09/thankful-thursday-one-girls-t…)
3. T-shirt Pom-Poms
Got a boring, empty corner in your room? How about some old T-shirts? Of course you do! Now all you need is some cardboard and scissors to create big, fluffy pom-poms you can hang from your ceiling! Try making them in different colors that coordinate with your bedspread and rug!
For the full instructions, check here (http://www.craftaholicsanonymous.net/t-shirt-pom-poms-tutorial)
4. Tile Coasters
I don’t know about you, but I’ve never cared very much about using coasters underneath my drinks. It wasn’t until I moved into my first apartment that I realized what a pain it is to clean up coffee rings and the like. But instead of buying ugly coasters from Wal-Mart, why not decorate your own? You’ll need some cheap white tiles from a hardware store, glue, felt to create a non-scuff bottom, and of course cute scrapbooking paper on top! You’ll want to make so many, you’ll have to throw a huge party to give everyone mugs with hot drinks!
See the entire tutorial here (http://thecottagehome.blogspot.com/2011/01/tile-coaster-tutorial.html)
5. Bulletin Boards
I love bulletin boards. If I had it my way, I would make an entire wall of my bedroom just one big bulletin board, so I would have plenty of space to pin up my favorite pictures, postcards, magazine clippings and inspiration! But before you cover it entirely, the brownish cork just isn’t very pretty to look at. That’s why I’ve used so many ways to cover it up! In my dorm room, my roommate and I covered the standard-issue corkboard with bright floral wrapping paper. A sample size of wallpaper would work too! My bulletin board at home is covered with a fabric I picked out at a craft store—I needed less than a yard so it was very cheap! Finally, you could always paint the background—the board in my room is currently painted a bright mint green. If you live in a dorm or apartment with strict rules, it’s almost as good as painting the walls!!
Look here for more inspiration (http://www.craftynest.com/2010/03/salvaged-patchwork-bulletin-board/)