Like many new college students, I have never shared a room. I’ve never had to worry about sharing space, if my decorations were too flashy, or if my aesthetic clashed with my roommates. Now, I do. Although it has not been a big struggle for my roommate and me to create an aesthetically pleasing room, adjusting to my new space was difficult. Before I came to St. Bonaventure, I wondered how I could personalize my space. Thankfully, with the help of my wonderful roommate, Helena Roy, and many online purchases, I was more than ready for move-in day.
The most important thing you’ll need for your room is storage. Yes, your university will provide you with a closet and a set of drawers, but believe me when I say that you will literally never have enough storage. It can be hard to make storage look good, but it is definitely possible. The most important purchase you’ll make as a college-aged woman is a skincare/makeup storage container. Amazon has numerous options, or you can find them at Target, Walmart, or stores like Bed Bath and Beyond. Another storage option is an ottoman. I bought a small one for underneath my desk. I keep extra clothes, food, and chargers in there. Overall, it’s a minimal, chic way to keep things out of sight and prevent disorder. While it can be hard to make storage cute, finding suitable options makes all the difference. The things I bought made my room much more organized and still maintained the integrity of my aesthetic goal.
Another dorm necessity is a rug. My roommate and I talked about the one we wanted, went off of ideas from Pinterest, and settled on one from Target. Rugs will definitely be one of your more expensive purchases, but they are a must unless you want your dorm to resemble a prison cell. You can find them on any website, but I think it is better to find one in person to ensure the quality.
My personal favorite part of setting up my room was adding my decor. I found most of my decorations from Anthropologie, but that can get expensive quickly, so I recommend Urban Outfitters, Target, and Amazon for trinkets and things. Urban Outfitters has a lot of cute throw pillows, wall hangings, lamps, and picture frames. Their entire brand is aimed at young people, so you’re guaranteed to find something you like. Target is Target, so again, you’re guaranteed to find something. I think Amazon is a complete hit or miss, but they have literally everything and anything you could think of.
A vital piece of my dorm was a clutter bowl. I got mine from HomeGoods, and I use it as a place where I can throw all of my junk. I get all my dirty room energy out in the bowl so my room can stay clean and easy to maintain.
I think that the best and most homey part of a dorm is the posters. They are so personal and honestly wholly change the dynamic of your room. I neglected to put up my posters, but when I finally did, there was an immediate difference. Honestly, it’s such a great finishing touch, and I love to walk into a dorm room and see everything they hold close to them on display.
It is so hard to turn such a small area into a place you can be yourself, but it doesn’t have to be. Finding storage, decor, and posters that match your vibe can make your dorm your own.