Published Thursday, Sept. 1, 2011
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Written with Rachel Jones
Turn a dorm room from drab to fab with tips from the experts — interior designers and college students themselves!
Heading into our senior year of college, we’ve become well acquainted with dorm life. As freshmen, we couldn’t wrap our heads around how to fit everything we brought from home into our shoebox of a room. Now, we’ve grown into super space savers. But, the real challenge is making that drab dorm unique and comfortable. A dorm room isn’t just for sleeping and studying. It is our kitchen, bedroom, living room, den, and dining room all in one — it is home. And while we can’t paint the walls, some splashes of color and trendy appliances help turn the off-white room into the place to hang out on campus. With tips from expert designers and the students who’ve lived there, any college kid can give a jolt to their small space. So, here’s your first college lesson of the year: how to make that dorm room really awesome. Take notes!
Color Me Bright
While every dorm looks the same with washed-out white walls, it doesn’t have to stay that way. Add splashes of color with appliances and removable decorations that give the room personality and warmth. “I try to emphasize being cozy,” says Caroline Vranesezic, a fourth year interior design student at La Roche College.
Studying can be stressful, so chill out with the Key West Frozen Concoction maker - 21 and over, only! - available in lime green and dreamsicle orange. $425, Hillman Appliance Distributors and Don's Appliance.
Live a Little
There’s no better way to add life to a dorm than to fill it with something living. “Plants bring in another texture and clarify the air,” Vranesezic says.
Turn Me On
Harsh fluorescent overhead lighting can completely undo all attempts at comfortable design. Designer Suzanne Swift suggests
turning the wall switch off and instead using table lamps and floor lamps to cast a warming glow over the seating area.
Funky Crystal Vintage Lamp, $165, Black Lamb Consignments.
Clear Out
For a bigger area to entertain friends, clear some space by converting the bed into a day bed. “I pushed my bed against the wall and covered it with throw pillows so it looks more like a couch,” says Anna Dinger, a junior interior design major at Indiana University of Pennsylvania. Those pillows will also add comfort while watching a movie from the floor.
The Industrial Revolution
Cutesy, flowing fabrics and wispy designs are out for dorms, and metallic, clean-lined themes are in, says designer Beth Sammarone. Embrace your inner industrialist with these tough candle holders. Of course, most dorms don’t allow open flame, but top these with LED flameless candles for the same warming effect.
Black-red iron candle holders, $19 for set of two, Black Lamb Consignments.
Get Crafty
Those lovely student loans inspired us to cut costs with do-it-yourself decorations. “A lot of people have message boards on their doors, but what I did was find a cool antique frame and painted it, then sprayed it with chalkboard spray paint. It can be a message board or your to-do list,” Dinger says.
We know it’s just for trash, but a plain white can is pretty boring. Even the garbage can can be fun — jazz up your receptacle with a fresh coat of paint or brightly colored stickers.
Picking up second-hand furniture and restoring it with DIY techniques saves costs and adds personality.
Of course, not all of college life is spent in the dorms! Take the party outside to cheer on your team with the Margaritaville Tailgate Grill, $399.99, Hillmon Appliance Distributors and Don's Appliance.
Blank Slate
“I like to keep it neutral, so I can do something different next year, so I don’t get bored,” Vranesezic says. Using beiges and blues leaves room for funky and colorful accents, and gender neutral colors also makes a space more inviting as a hang-out spot than rooms decorated with bright pinks, for example. Neutral colors are also calming.
Cozy up with a textbook on this neutrally colored Luna Chair, $599, PerLora
