Dorm room ideas are here again. As the summer draws to an end and autumn nears, it’s time for a new adventure for many freshmen. Goodbye, high school or homeschooling - HELLO, college life! The anticipation of beginning your studies, meeting lecturers, and taking on the first assignment is exciting yet daunting. But there is nothing more heart-pounding than meeting your dorm roommate and seeing the spot which you will call home for the next year or so.
Trust us when we say that making that small side of your room feel like home is so important. This tiny space is your bedroom, living room, office and party pad all rolled into one! That’s why you need some Uni room décor tips to know the essentials of leading a happy dorm life.
Dorm room ideas that keep things simple and organised
Image source via Pinterest: Milkteatheory.com
Whether you are looking for Uni room ideas or dorm tips, one of the most important things to remember is organisation. Only have what you need in your dorm room setup. Dorm rooms are small, and don’t forget, you’re sharing it with one other person as well.
Firstly, let’s battle the laundry. You may be a born neat freak, so this may go without saying, but a stylish laundry basket is a BIG must. Use it as a reminder to keep up with your washing and make sure your roommate isn’t having to put up with your dirty socks on the floor. Why does it need to be stylish? Because your room is small and a laundry basket can unintentionally become a feature of the room - make sure it’s a nice one.
If you find yourself staying in your dorm room more often than venturing into the communal kitchen, then a trolly will be your best friend. Easy to slot between the end of your bed and desk, use trolly storage to keep a kettle, jug of water, and hide tasty snacks inside. It will also serve as a really handy makeup storage area too or somewhere to store boxes of wires from your hair straighteners, laptop charger, etc.
Image source via Pinterest: dormify.com
I think most of us are guilty of having too many clothes. We may start out college by only bringing the necessary items, but it’s a certainty that you will probably end up buying lots of new outfits for dorm parties and future work interviews. The answer? Collapsible clothes hangers. Able to store multiple items using the space of just one hanger, these handy wardrobe hangers will be an absolute treat. Trust us.
For shoes, books, chunky jumpers, and more, under-bed storage is key. Choose slide-out plastic boxes (some even have wheels) so that you can stay organised and keep items out of sight, out of mind, whilst you’re not using them. Otherwise, why not choose a tall-legged bed where you can fit box storage underneath?
If you’re big on jewellery, don’t opt for chunky jewellery boxes that will take up a lot of space area. Instead, choose a standing jewellery organizer that you can keep on a window sill or on a shelf.
Make it personal to you
Image source via Pinterest: Tapestrygirls.com
When you’re far away from home, it’s only natural to feel homesick. That’s why making your dorm room personal to you and a reminder of family and friends is key. After a difficult day of learning or on those days when you’re clashing with your dorm roommate, personal touches will be a tonic.
One of the easiest ways to make things personal is with photographs of your loved ones. Whether that be your parents, your best friend from kindergarten, or your cute, fluffy dog, it’s important to surround yourself with those you love even when they can’t be at your side. So why not create a photo collage feature wall using Polaroid snaps? Choose removable poster tape that won’t leave any damage on the wall and use it to tack up your own photo collage. Place your photos above your bed or on any spare wall on your side of the room.
Mural in photo: Create Your Own Wallpaper
If you want to go one step further, why create your own photo wallpaper? It’s the perfect dorm room décor idea that will make you feel at home. Choose self-adhesive peel and stick wallpaper so that you can remove it without damaging the wall once you need to move out.
Make sure everything is secure
When you’re living away from home with people you don’t know, sometimes it can feel a little daunting. Of course, often dorm roomies become your closest friends, or you may already know them from high school, but sometimes you want to make sure your most treasured items are safe – just in case. Above all else, we think that security is one of the most important dorm room essentials.
If you like to carry around cash, have some expensive jewellery, or electric equipment, keep it all safe in a security box. Choose a box that you can hide away in a wardrobe or under your bed. Be assured that your items are secure without offending your dorm roommate by unintentionally accusing them of being a thief!
If you want to be extra cautious or you have an expensive laptop, a laptop lock would be a good idea. First of all, check if your laptop has a lock slot – often, locks will work well with many T-bolt configurations. For those laptops that don’t have a lock slot, choose a lock that will attach to the machine in other ways, with an adhesive, for instance.
Are you a Joey, and you DON’T share food? Then keep your tasty treats and drinks secure with a dorm room refrigerator. Choose one that is big enough to hold a few bottles and snacks but not too big that it dominates the room. Stay away, hungry roommates… stay away...
Dorm room ideas need to be super cosy
Mural in photo: Clusterful Tropical Leaves
It’s true. One of the most important dorm room ideas is comfort. Because your dorm room is where you sleep and where you catch up on Netflix, it needs to be super-duper cosy. After all, you don’t want to be paranoid about catching anything from the student who lived there last year. You also don’t want to put up with a lumpy mattress, and you certainly don’t want everything to have a stale smell!
If you want to create a cosy little pad, the mattress is the most important factor when it comes to comfort. After all, it will be your bed AND couch. If you value your sleep and are paranoid about the condition of your mattress before you arrive at college, bring your own from home or buy a new one. If you are going with the mattress supplied by the college, buy a protective cover or even a mattress topper as well! Next, bedding. We highly recommend bringing your own from home or buying new. Fresh, clean sheets, a duvet, a comforter, blankets, pillows and pillowcases will really make or break the comfort of your dorm room.
Mural in photo: Classic World Map
When choosing a desk chair, make sure you choose one that is ultra-comfy. You’re going to be spending a LOT of time sitting at your desk studying. If you have the room, why not pitch in with your roommate and buy yourselves a super cosy lounge chair to relax in? It’ll be a great spot for reading, swiping through Instagram, or for friends to sit on when you’re hosting a movie night.
To create a warm and comfy ambience, lighting is important. Choose a low-wattage bedside table lamp for those cosy nights in reading your favourite novel or catching up on the hottest TV show. You could even hang fairy lights on your headboard or on shelving to up the comfort levels even more.
Dorm room ideas that will bring in natural elements
Image source via Pinterest: Dovecottage.com
If you’re living in an inner-city dorm room and are craving rural life, one of our favourite dorm room ideas is to bring in natural elements. Dorm decor that has a connection to nature is sure to bring down the pressures of student life, improve mental well-being and is even known to reduce blood pressure.
The easiest way to invite nature indoors is by using plants. Potted cacti or leafy green tropical plants such as monsteras, strings of pearls and spider plants will flourish in your dorm room if given care. Not only pretty, but certain plants are known to purify the air – something you will appreciate the morning after a party!
Image source via Pinterest: Donegood.co
Big in the world of interior design, organic décor made from sustainable materials will make sure your dorm room is hot and on-trend as well as a reflection of the outdoors. Choose items such as storage baskets, a rug, a desk, a lampshade, a chair, and more made from rattan, hemp, wood, or wicker. Not forgetting macrame hanging storage made from cotton twine and wood – super handy for keeping stationery above your desk!
For those of you who want to go one step further when it comes to uni room ideas, why not install a peel and stick nature feature wall? A great dorm room idea for two, both you and your roommate can really enjoy it. Nature wall art placed next to your bed will create a calm ambience in the evening as well as when you are studying hard. From sun-dripped forests, quiet tropical beaches, calm lakes and jetties and more, you and your roomy will be the envy of all your college buddies!
Ready to take on college life with these dorm room ideas? Let us know how you get on by leaving a comment below!
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