Dorm Room Decorating

The beginning of the school year means it's dorm room decorating season for thousands of college students.

Dorm Room Supplies

Since a dorm room begins as a bare room with a few pieces of furniture, part of dorm room decorating is stocking it with the essentials.

Bedding

Some dorms provide linen service, but this will only get you plain white, institutional sheets. Sheets, pillow cases, and a blanket or comforter in a fun color or pattern can go a long way towards brightening a room and showing some personality. Dorm beds typically use an extra long mattress, so you'll need to buy extra long twin sheets.

Bathroom Supplies

If you're living in a room with a shared bathroom, matching bathroom accents, like a soap dish and toothbrush holder, can add an interesting touch.

Electronics

Most college students enjoy a chance to unwind with a little television, and a DVD player allows you to hold late-night movie marathons. While a stereo and a pile of CDs used to be dorm room necessities, they've generally been replaced by iPods and other portable music players. Avid gamers won't want to forget their PlayStation or Xbox console.

Cooking

Many students find a microwave helpful for late-night snacks. A small refrigerator is also handy for keeping beverages cool. Most schools forbid students from having appliances with a heating element, so leave the toaster ovens and hot plates at home.

Storage

It can be difficult to appreciate your dorm room decorating if the place is covered in clothes and books. Use closet organizers to keep your clothing in check. Take advantage of available space to make the most of the limited storage room. Plastic storage boxes and bins come in many sizes, so you can find one to fit any opening, whether under the bed or between two pieces of furniture.

Look for pieces that can also be used for more than just storage. A foot locker can double as a coffee table in front of the futon. The shelves on the bottom of a TV stand can be used to store books.

Laundry

You'll need a hamper, basket or bag to keep your dirty laundry contained. If your laundry will be out in the open, consider a wicker hamper or other decorative basket. For a more whimsical look, you can find kids' hampers in animal shapes or printed with cartoon characters. However, you will have to carry your dirty clothes to the laundry room, so find a balance between form and function.

Dorm Room Decorating Ideas

Posters

Posters are a popular way to add some personality to a dorm's drab, institutional walls. If you don't already have your own favorite posters, you can usually find a poster sale around campus at the beginning of the semester. You don't have to stick with posters, though. If you love to travel, hang a map of your favorite city. Create a large collage of photos and laminate it. Tapestries and wall hangings can also offer a distinctive look. Most dorms prohibit using anything that will mark the walls, so make sure you bring removable poster hangers and adhesives.

Furniture

Dorm rooms typically come furnished with desks, chairs, bunk beds, and a dresser. A select few offer a couch that doubles as a flip-out bed. Anything else is up to you. For example:

• Futons are popular because they offer both extra seating and an extra bed in one piece of furniture.
• Some students prefer to bring their own chairs for better back support at the computer and more comfortable lounging in front of the TV.
• If the room isn't carpeted, you'll want something between your feet and the cold floor. You can cut a carpet remnant to fit or buy rugs to cover the most-used floor areas.
• Fun lamps and throw pillows can be both decorative and functional.
• If you're bringing your own desktop computer, you may need your own computer desk. Look for a desk with extra storage space, like an attached book shelf or CD rack.

You should check the actual size of your dorm room before making any furniture purchases.

Themes

The most ambitious decorators create themed rooms. Here are just a few ideas:

• Sports - You can focus on one particular sport, like hockey, or sports in general.
• Tropical - Break out the grass skirts, leis, and tiki lamps for a tropical adventure.
• Music - Cover the walls with posters of your favorite musicians and hang old records on the walls.
• Hippy/60s - Tie-dye and black lights are always in fashion.
• Your hobby or interest - Find fabrics and decorations to reflect your favorite hobby, whether it's horseback riding or ice skating.

Before embarking on a decorating theme, make sure to discuss the idea with your roommate.

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