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 DORM EXTRAS | |||
Even if you're on a meal plan, it's nice to have some food close at hand when you're burning the midnight oil. A mini fridge (about $100) can store cold sodas, fruit or fudgesicles for just such emergencies. A microwave is also nice for reheating a slice of pizza or popping a bag of popcorn. But think twice if your dorm commons area has a microwave and you're on a meal plan. The cost of buying your own and the space it'll require may not be worth it. If you don't think a TV in your room will be too big a distraction, spring for one with a built-in DVD player. A 13-inch model costs about $100 to $150. |
For many students heading off to college, back to school means more than back to class. It also means moving into to a new space. The problem is many dorm rooms can be depressingly drab.
Even if you're moving into an apartment with roommates, a fraternity or sorority house, your home away from home is about to be compressed into one room, a place that will need to be comfortable for sleeping, studying and hanging out -- yet functional and uncluttered so you can actually find your desk to do your homework.
The good news is, you have plenty of selection when it comes to picking out duds for your dorm room. Retailers are going out of their way to cater to college students with eye catching marketing campaigns and coordinated collections of dorm décor -- and it's working. College students and their parents will spend an estimated $3.6 billion on dorm and apartment furnishings this year, according to the National Retail Federation.
But moms and dads needn't worry. It is possible to create a fabulous personal space on a student's budget. And following these three guidelines can help:
Know what items your dorm won't allow. Don't waste your money on outlawed items. For example, many colleges nix halogen lamps, candles, hotplates and toasters in the dorm rooms.
Make a list before you shop. Write down what you have, want and need, suggests interior decorator Coral Nafie, who maintains a trove of dorm decorating resources at About.com. Set a spending budget ahead of time, and jot down your room's dimensions before you shop. This will help you avoid making impulse purchases or buying items that won't fit.
Coordinate with your roommate. One of you can bring the TV, the other can bring the mini-fridge. And try to avoid purchasing items together. You may be able to share them now, but only one of you will get to take it home at the end of the school year. For more roommate strategies, see Winning Roommate Roulette.
Get some rest
No matter where you call home this fall, your bedroom is likely going to be your most important space. When you squeeze your life into such a tiny box, your largest piece of furniture is probably your bed, making it the focal point of your room. That means it will probably also work triple duty as a place to sleep, study and seat guests.
Look for a spread that reflects your personality and that will hide dirt well. If possible, try to coordinate with your roommate on a theme or color scheme to tie the room together, suggests Nafie. One option is to decorate in your school's colors. You can shop for bedding by color at Target.com.
If a new comforter doesn't fit into your budget, consider buying a duvet cover (a giant slipcover) to go over your old one from home. You can find dozens of styles for less than $40. And if you're moving into the dorm or furnished apartment, make sure you ask ahead of time about the size of your bed. Many schools offer extra-long twin beds, meaning your regular-size sheets will be too short. (Shop for twin-XL sheets.)
You'll need a good night's sleep to keep your brain in tip-top shape. Unfortunately, dorm room mattresses are notoriously thin and lumpy, so bring along a foam mattress pad ($10, Linens 'N Things). Or you can spring for a plush feather-bed topper, which will run between $40 and $100.
Convert your bed to a seating and lounging area by tossing on a full-length body pillow ($10, Linens 'N Things) to serve as a back cushion. Add a few funky throw pillows that compliment your bed spread to add even more cush and personality.
Study buddies
Whether you prefer to study at a desk, on your bed, or sprawled on the floor, you'll need good lighting. Invest in a desk lamp, a floor lamp or both.
You'll also need some sort of shelving unit to keep your text books and papers organized. Milk crates are an inexpensive and versatile option, suggest the experts at Rental Decorating Digest. You can find them in a variety of colors to match your décor, and you can stack them any way to fit your space. They're also sturdy and can double as a nightstand or table.
If you plan to bring a computer to campus, a laptop will free up desk space and allow you to study anywhere on campus. Check out Back to School Notebooks for a full list of features to look for and our top laptop picks.
Everything in its place
Every inch of space counts, and that includes under the bed. Invest $10 in some bed elevators to raise your frame a few inches off the ground. That'll give you more room to slide stuff under your bed. You can buy special under-the-bed storage bags and boxes for $10 to $20, or simply use your luggage to stash extra linens and your winter wardrobe. Another option: Transport your stuff to campus in a sturdy trunk, like the Textured Steel Trunk from the Container Store ($99). Then use it for a storage unit that can double as a table, bench or nightstand.
Next, transform your closet from a dumping ground to a functional storage area. Free up precious floor space and hang your shoes from the rod using a canvas shoe organizer ($10, Bed Bath & Beyond). You can also utilize the lower half of your closet by hanging a second rod halfway down with the Double Hanger Deluxe rod ($10, Bed Bath & Beyond). Invest a few bucks in hangers that do double - or quadruple - duty, such as a hanger that holds multiple skirts, or a tie and belt hanger.
For those grab-and-go items, consider an inexpensive over-the-door clothes rack ($5-$10 at Bed Bath & Beyond). You can add even more space to hang your keys, jacket or anything else around the room with a few removable adhesive hooks that won't damage the walls, such as the Command Adhesive Utility Hooks from the Container Store ($2.24).
A handled shower tote ($10, Bed Bath & Beyond) is nice if you have to schlep your shampoo, soap, toothbrush and toiletries to and from the communal bathroom. And consider a dispenser to hold your quarters ($2.49, Container Store) -- you'll never have to dig for loose change on laundry day again.
Personal touches
The essentials like sleeping, studying and being able to find a clean shirt in the morning are important, but what will really make your room feel like home are the little touches.
A quick way to cozy up a room is with a throw rug, says Nafie. Choose one that compliments the colors of your and your roommate's bedding. You can even piece together a custom pattern with InterfaceFlor tiles. Prices range from $6 to $30 per tile. Adding a houseplant is another way to bring in some color and life.
Unless you enjoy the constant buzz of fluorescent lights overhead, spring for a floor lamp, hang paper lanterns or string up holiday lights to add ambiance. And you'll want a comfy place to curl up with your latest English Lit assignment, chat on the phone or seat guests, so consider a cushy bean bag chair ($20 - $100) or disk chair ($30 - $40) if there's room.
Finally, find something that will make your room stand out -- you know, a conversation piece. This is, after all, your space, so be creative and have some fun.
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