Surviving College Life

Drab to Fab: Dorm Decor Basics

February 8th, 2010 Jamie

Cinderblock getting you down? I can’t say I miss the prison-style walls of my old dorm room, but I did have a great time dressing them up on the cheap, and I’ve still got the room-design bug… I scan the aisles of stores like Ross, TJ Maxx, Home Goods, and Marshall’s (the “Big Four” of bargain shopping!) every week scouting out deals (I usually don’t buy anything but I get tons of ideas for DIY projects).

If your dorm room needs some kick and you don’t know where to start, check out these design basics to get you started. And don’t think we’re stuck bargain shopping–it wouldn’t be SCL without some DIY links.

Lighting is terrible in most dorm rooms, so bring your own to pep up the space. I like to have good strong lighting for study time (”task lighting” like a desk lamp), something a little softer for just hanging out, and something super low (Christmas lights or a low-watt lamp) for relaxing. The light level in your room can be an amazing mood-altering tool, and you can find lamps for as little as $10 at stores like Wal*Mart, Target, or–my all-time dorm fav–Ikea. And (as you will note in the DIY) I am a believer that a little romance can go a long way–DIY a chandelier to hang over your bed (or to give to your girlfriend for Valentine’s day, boys!).

DIY: (But be careful!)

• DIY Lucite Chandelier
• Silverware Chandelier
• Branch Chandelier

Mirrors are a key element in any dorm room. They throw light around to brighten up sometimes dingy dorm lighting and look amazingly chic (a great stand in for artwork). Plus you get the added bonus of having somewhere to check out your hair. Target has some super cute over-the-door mirrors for $15 (of scrimp a little and opt for their $5 version), or you can thrift around for some (or ask you relatives–who knows what you’ll get).
DIY:

• I admit, I am not handy enough to make a mirror… and I don’t know anyone else who is, either.

Artwork doesn’t have to be expensive!

DIY by grabbing some canvases, paint, and brushes for under $20 at an art store (if your local one has coupons or discount days, wait for those! Our Michael’s does a 40% off one item coupon once a week!). You can even just grab some canvas fabric (a few bucks at a hardware store), a grass mat from the beach, or even some cardboard to paint on. Frame fabric or wrapping paper for a graphic punch. Even easier (and free-er) go old-school and do a photo or magazine collage on your wall.

Not artsy? Shop thrift stores for funky frames and vintage books or album covers (cool + cheap), or scan the Big Four for pre-fab artwork at a big discount.
DIY:

• Recycled Wall Art (that amazing photo above)
• Butterfly Mobile

Bed, couch, study zone: your XL Twin has a lot of functions in such a small space, so dress it to work for all of them. Pile throw pillows on to turn it into a “couch” (day-bed style) during the day, then toss them in the closet and crawl under some fluffy blankets at day’s end.

DIY:

• Granny-chic Doily Pillows
• Felt Flower Pillows

Inspiration is what keeps me going when I look at my white white white apartment walls. Get your own here:

• Apartment Therapy’s Dorm Posts showcase amazing things people our age have done with just some blank-slate walls and a ton of creativity.
• Annplified chronicles the life of art student Ann, whose adorable LA apartment is the perfect combination of kitsch and class. Her artwork is also really inspiring; you’ll look at life a different way.
• 50 Practically Free Ways to Decorate Your Dorm, a post from Online Classes, will help you get the ball rolling (see AT’s additions here).

photo

Related Posts

• Dorm DIY: Hip, Fab Dorm Decor
• Cheap, Amazing Dorm Room DIY
• Cheap + Chic for College: Decorating With Freebies
• College Dorm Décor on the Cheap
• Inexpensive DIY Gift Roundup #4: Gifts for Teens & Twenty-somethings

Entry Filed under: dorm room