It’s barely summer yet, but all you high school seniors and your mommas have been thinking about Fall ’10 for some time. Hopefully, by now, everyone knows where they are going, where they are living and whom you are going to live with. But have you thought about what your dorm room is going to look like? Here are some tips to help you make your dorm room dreamy! These tips can also make apartments awesome! And you young men can spruce up a dorm room too. Just because it’s the guys doesn’t mean that your room can’t be cool and comfortable.
Raise the bed UP! Risers will create so much more storage space in a place where space is a premium! With risers you can practically store all of your folded clothes, tees, shorts, etc. under the bed! Plastic drawers and bins are a must! And often this is where a custom made bedskirt can really come in handy. It will never be too short, no matter how tall your risers are. And guys, you know lofting the bed is a cool way to create space and no bedskirt is needed!
Pillows! Decorative pillows can turn your bed into a sofa and your dorm room becomes a cool place to hang out!
Window treatments! The easiest way to add warmth to a room is to put some fabric on the windows. Here are a few valence ideas that are easily mounted on tension rods and can be installed right inside your dorm window! Another easy treatment is to make one panel, hemmed to the desired length, shirred on a tension rod and tied back to one side. Then when you want to block out the light, just un-do the tieback and let the panel fall over the window.
Scallop Valence
Flag Valence
Stagecoach Valence
Here are some cool color palettes to brighten any dorm or apartment.
These fabs have been selected and suggested because their cost per yard is quite a bit lower than most interior design or decorative fabrics.
The key to a super suite is definitely organization and concealment! There are all kinds of closet bars and hanger systems to help you get organized and some coordinating fabric for a closet curtain just adds more punch to your place. Remember a shoe rack to keep your kicks off the floor and use that precious space to store other things. Dorm room overhead lighting is not great, so get yourself a cute floor or bedside lamp for ambient lighting and a good desk lamp for task lighting. Another must is an area rug. That cold linoleum floor will not feel good getting up for an 8:00 class! Your floor will look great and your toes will be comfy.
Lastly, a little custom work goes a long way to making your dorm distinctive and your apartment awesome. Customize a little by using ready made bedding and adding pillows and curtains to your space. OR customize a lot by designing your own dorm or apartment space just the way you want it. Make it comfortable and make it your own. A haven, a home away from home, a hip hangout!