How To Make A Dorm Room More Home-y

By Karolyn Castaldo on November 22, 2011

Let’s be serious, dorm rooms are never anything special. They do not have enough space, the walls are bare and you are living with someone who may or may not have completely different taste than you. How do you make it feel like someplace you can call home for nine months out of the year?

Photo from Flickr.com uploaded by Flutterbright

Hang Pictures and Posters

 

Even if you were not big on hanging stuff on your walls at home, being able to see friendly faces of your loved ones, or a giant picture of your favorite actor/actress will always brighten your day up a little bit.

Set Mood Lighting

 

Lights in dorm rooms are often very harsh fluorescents. Get a lamp with a nice shade that will not be so blinding. If you do not what to spend a lot of money and can reach the lights that are already in your room, put a shade of some sort (a scarf will work!) over your harsh lights so that they give off a friendly glow instead of something that gives you a headache. Just be careful that whatever you put over the light will not catch fire.

Another great investment is the Febreze Flameless Luminary. It is a little light with a scented shade so your room smells great, you look like you have a candle, and you’re not breaking any rules if your dorm does not allow candles!

Decorate for the Holidays

So what if you won’t be in your room for Christmas? Hang a stocking or some twinkle lights to make your room a little merrier. Put something spooky on your door at Halloween and definitely hang a few hearts for Valentine’s Day. Chances are, you will feel more at home if your room is decorated more like a home!

Bring Some Home to Your Home Away From Home

 

Have an old vanity license plate? A stuffed animal you’ve had forever? Maybe even a state flag? Hang it up! You will be reminded of the place you come from every time you look at it. Don’t be afraid to bring your stuffed animal either. Tons of people do it and it will be comforting if you’re ever missing your roots.

Whatever you do, make it your own! You have an entire side (or maybe a whole room!) to be creative with. If you want to feel like your dorm is a place that you actually live, you need to make it look like somewhere you would live in other circumstances as well.

For more tips, tricks, and ideas, check out The Good Life on Campus’ Blog!

http://thegoodlifeoncampus.tumblr.com/

Follow Uloop

Apply to Write for Uloop News

Join the Uloop News Team

Discuss This Article

Back to Top

Log In

Contact Us

Upload An Image

Please select an image to upload
Note: must be in .png, .gif or .jpg format
OR
Provide URL where image can be downloaded
Note: must be in .png, .gif or .jpg format

By clicking this button,
you agree to the terms of use

By clicking "Create Alert" I agree to the Uloop Terms of Use.

Image not available.

Add a Photo

Please select a photo to upload
Note: must be in .png, .gif or .jpg format