Decorating a dorm room can be a daunting task for anyone, let alone a first year college student. Rarely will you find yourself faced with so many unique design dilemmas at once! Even for the experts, it can be hard to know where to begin when you’re trying to turn a drab dorm room into a stylish haven. But since we’re nothing if not resourceful, we’re here to tell you that no matter what decor conundrums you may be facing with your dorm room, we’ve got a few tricks up our sleeve to help make the transition to college a breeze. Check out these tips from the pros on how to make your dorm room feel bigger – even if you’re stuck in a room the size of a walk in closet.
Make The Space Feel Bigger With A Mirror
{Anthropologie, Urban Outfitters}
But not just any mirror! We’re sure you’ve heard of this one, but we want to be clear — we are not talking about the floor-length mirrors so easily scooped up at Bed Bath & Beyond. Yes, they are great for assessing your outfits before all your exciting Saturday night adventures, but the truth is, everyone on your floor will have the same mirror. Spring for something a little more stylish and unique to give your room an elevated aesthetic that will set you apart. We recommend something like these super chic wall mirrors from Urban Outfitters for more of a glam vibe, or this larger statement piece from Anthropologie if your style leans a little more rustic.
Make The Most Of Your Vertical Space
One of the biggest mistakes people make is overloading their dorm rooms with clutter. It can be tempting to pack up everything you own when you go to school, but try to keep the extras to a minimum! If you absolutely have to bring your DVDs and books along, floating shelves and vertical storage will help to keep your dorm room feeling open and less closed in. Things like plants, photo frames, and small keepsakes can be kept on shelves instead of on your desk and study space, leaving you with a clutter-free place to concentrate when you need it most.
Create Intimacy With Designated Areas
We love how welcoming and inviting this dorm became simply by tucking in a tiny little loveseat and a coffee table over a shag rug. With the addition of a separate space to hang out and relax, these roommates have instantly made their dorm room feel twice as large. Taking time out to de-stress is important, so make sure you create that second space for yourself in your dorm, even if it’s just with a cozy armchair tucked in a corner.
Still worried about how you’re going to decorate your dorm and maximize your space? Take our fun style quiz to see how you can turn your tiny dorm room into a place with potential.
Feature image courtesy of dormdesign.