Whether you are a freshman beginning the process of finding a roommate and getting ready for the move-in process or a current first year feeling like your dorm is far from your happy place, there are simple and easy ways to glow up your dorm room. Additionally, if you are already in the dorms, it is never too late to try and make the room you live in more comfortable, even if in the last stretch of the quarter. Creating a relaxing haven for finals is absolutely worth it.
If you are preparing for move in during the fall, it is time to slowly begin planning out your future dorm room so you don’t feel stressed by saving it for the last minute. The idea of your home base becoming a room that some compare to the size of a shoebox can be a little daunting. However, there are ways to make the room seem bigger while maximizing comfort and showing your personality.
This guide contains simple tips, some seemingly obvious but truly emphasized, coming from a freshman finishing up my first year here. Small changes can make a huge difference in actually wanting to come home to your room.
Getting Cozy: The Perfect Bedding Situation
Bedding depends on your personal taste, but my best advice is pick a neutral with texture. White makes the space feel the biggest and also the cleanest, but a plain white comforter can feel boring. That’s where some form of texture makes it interesting and unique, but still basic enough that you won’t get sick of it. I love my blue floral sheets, they add a pop of color and match with my light blue chunky throw and neutral decorative pillows. Color coordination between pillows and throws is super cute, in addition to matching or at least coordinating with your future roommate(s). If you end up in a double here at UCSB, bed skirts to hide the under bed storage is a great way for maintaining that clean and put-together look.
the impact of lighting
Overhead lights depend on the dorm, but some make the room feel as fluorescent as a high school classroom or even a doctor’s office. I find my little desk lamp that I use for doing my homework very useful. A desk lamp isn’t always necessary if you have a vanity mirror with the built-in light bulbs (highly recommend) but if there is room then it is nice to be able to focus on your notes or textbook without light shining into your eyes.
I also love my reading light beside my bed, whether for unwinding with a book, for when I feel like doing homework in bed, or simply just to have a softer light when relaxing or watching a show. My roommates and I also have fairy lights and a sunset lamp that can set the mood for getting ready for a night out or winding down for a chill night in. Side lighting is a lifesaver from the sometimes headache-inducing lights the school provides.
Greenery: Bring Your Space To Life
A pop of green can change the energy of a room immensely, to make it feel like a place of life in addition to just a place to sleep. Hanging plants are space-savers, especially when styled in a macramé or woven plant hanger. Succulents are perfectly low maintenance and can be small enough to fit on a shelf or corner of a desk. While real plants are ideal, sometimes they don’t make the most sense in a dorm room. Faux plants liven up the room even if they themselves are not alive, a touch of green brings life to your space and reminds you it’s your own.
The Illusion of Spaciousness
Floor length mirrors are a must— for seeing if an outfit works to making a small room feel much bigger. Hanging on the back of a door is ideal because not only does it save space, it instantly upgrades a boring surface. I especially love gold or white framed mirrors.
When it comes to storage, a tip for decreasing clutter is to invest in aesthetically pleasing baskets, whether woven or adorned with fun yet simple patterns to hide what could otherwise just look like clutter. Lack of mess widens up the room to make it feel more spacious.
Personalization with Wall Decor
One of the most fun parts is deciding what decorations to put on the walls to make the room feel like home. My roommates and I decided to go for a beachy vibe with surf and seashell prints— a classic at UCSB— but wall decor highly depends on the person. From band posters to watercolors of sand dollars and starfish, this is the most customizable part of the room.
Photo walls in particular can make the transition into college a little easier, or serve as comfort if you are feeling homesick. Whether they’re a reminder of the people you love or the moments that shaped you, they can offer real comfort when you’re feeling homesick, a sentimental celebration of the transition from past to future. Lining my bed frame, I have a collection of small photos of the highlights of my favorite travels and adventures, pictures of my family and best friends, and a picture of my dog and cat. These bring warmth, nostalgia, and a sense of continuity into my new space.
Another idea I love (and plant to try) is a mood board. From staying on track with goals to visualizing your perfect life, I believe that having a reminder of what you are working towards on your wall is both grounding and inspiring. It can highlight a dream career, your bucket list vacation spots, or simply to emulate the vibe of the person you hope to be.
As an incoming first year, I remember the feeling of endlessly scrolling on different apps for tips and advice on what to buy, what to bring, and how to get used to the idea of living in such a small space. However, while these tips are aimed at first years living in the residence halls of UCSB, as life in Isla Vista goes on, living situations are less likely to become more spacious than at other schools, so this advice extends beyond just new Gauchos. No matter where you are in your college journey, learning how to make a small space feel like yours is always worth it.