It’s back to school season here at Montclair State, but dorm essentials are expensive enough. How can you afford to personalize your space? Here are some creative and niche ways to make your dorm feel more like home!
If you’re like me, a homebody, you need a comfortable space that feels like ‘you’. It may be hard to readjust to moving back on campus, but some nice decorating may be just what you need.
For a Nature-esque Vibe
Ditch the artificial vines and try something more natural! Real plants and flowers liven up a space, and improve the air quality of a stuffy dorm room.
For plants, try going for ones that require minimal water and sunlight. The best options are succulent plants and cacti. Make sure your room has adequate natural light to preserve them. For flowers, I love to spray them while they’re fresh with hairspray and then hang them upside down. Keep them away from light until they dry up, which may take a couple of weeks. Dried roses are classy and a great way to preserve flowers when they are no longer fresh.
For an Artsy Look
For a more graphic approach, try highlighting your interests through visual posters. There are many prints on Pinterest or designing apps like Canva or PicsArt you can use to create posters for your wall. Don’t forget your command strips!
If you want something authentic, the Montclair art majors have many pieces to choose from. You can sometimes find students selling art at the Quad, or you can make arts and crafts at CSI (Center of Student Involvement) events that make for great decor.
Media-Inspired Ideas
If you’re into the media, the School of Communications may give your room the right touch. Montclarion newspapers are always in full stock at the Communications building and free of charge. Go ahead and grab the latest copy, and maybe after reading, you can cut out the best articles to make a collage on your wall. Better yet, certain professors at school sometimes have extra copies of magazines to give away. Having magazines in your room can make you look trendy and well informed.
For the Bookworms
Make your dorm a personal library by stocking up on books. Books add personality to a room, especially with the genres you select. If you are simply grabbing some to accessorize your desk, try getting some free books on campus (hint: the Center for Environmental and Life Sciences offers free books on the second floor!)
If All Else Fails, Thrift!
If you’ve tried everything above and are still looking for more pizazz, thrifting is one of the cheapest ways to get new dorm supplies. People are always trying to get rid of bed sets, pillows, and room furniture.Your best bet would be thrifting at local thrift shops, yard sales, or online. Facebook Market and EBay have settings that allow you to search in your demographic for items on sale.