Do you know a college student living in the dorms, and away form home, for the first time? Or have you moved into a new place recently? Being a new tenant doesn’t mean your space needs to be filled with
Do you know a college student living in the dorms, and away form home, for the first time? Or have you moved into a new place recently? Being a new tenant doesn’t mean your space needs to be filled with ratty furniture and hand-me-down housewares.
Visit one or all of Kaua‘i’s big-box discounters, thrift shops and consignment stores, to make your new space a place to call “home.” Or shop for easy and lightweight gifts to send to your Honolulu- and Mainland-bound college student friends and family.
Many schools have dorms with a central communal living space and separate bedrooms.
Students expect to have all the comforts of home in the dorm as well: televisions, DVD players, audio systems, computers, microwaves.
And they’ll want to add style and personality to their dorm rooms.
Of course, everything that goes into a dorm room has to come out at the end of the school year, so any decorating that students do has to be easily removable. Though, if you’re planning to stay for awhile you might not want to purchase flimsy “throw-away” discount items.
Here are some tips from Pier 1 Imports, Urban Outfitters and The Garden Island, on making your own nest.
Do some research Turning a drab, lifeless room into your personal space doesn’t have to be an expensive assignment. Think about the size of your space, what you already have and what your budget is before making any purchases. Also, go to decorating and furniture stores to ask for free advice on trends, colors and styles.
Accessorize Accessories are the little touches that make a big impression. A nice lamp not only serves a practical purpose, but can add style to a room as well. Even something as basic as a wastebasket can be funky and fun. “Accessories are great because they can make a big change in the room, but they don’t cost a lot,” says Geissler.
Bedding Because dorm rooms are small, beds tend to be the biggest piece of furniture in the room.
With the addition of stylish sheets and a colorful comforter, the bed can become the focal point of the décor. Choose accessories in colors that coordinate with bedding.
Walls Walls can be the hardest part of a dorm room to dress up, since you probably won’t be allowed to paint them.
Try murals instead, says Todd Imholte, president of Environmental Graphics, a company that specializes in wall murals that are easy to put up and just as easy to take down.
The murals are approximately 8 by 13 feet, and can either be wrapped around a corner or trimmed to fit the wall.
All it takes to install a mural are some basic wall-covering tools; the mural comes with specially formulated paste that makes it easy to hang, and easy to remove without damaging the wall.
Curtains Windows offer one more opportunity to add color.
Even if the window comes equipped with shades or blinds, adding inexpensive curtains is an easy way to dress up the room.
Stay focused Coming home to an organized, welcoming refuge after a long day of classes and tests is a good way to boost morale.
Every college student needs an edge, and having an organized and cozy place is just what the doctor ordered.
Assign everything a “home.” Store items in the same place every time so you always know where they are and where they go.
Baskets and drawer systems are inexpensive, quick solutions to creating an easy location for your books, bills, correspondence and even magazines.
An oversize ottoman is a good way to add seating capacity. It can also serve as a table, and some ottomans have removable tops for added storage room as well.
Home sweet home To beat those dorm room blues, put a family portrait and some photos of your friends in picture frames on an ottoman, like you would a coffee table.
The place to be Now that you have done a little decorating, your place will soon become the hang out when your friends are looking for something to do. Whether they’re watching a DVD or you’re throwing a party, people will enjoy being in a comfortable, stylish place.
“Playing host is always fun,” says recent college graduate and Pier 1 associate Mark Wood. “It makes you proud to call your place your own.” Be aware of the restrictions and responsibilities under a lease agreement. Is it OK to paint the walls, drill holes, change window treatments? Better check BEFORE taking the plunge.
Check out Urban Outfitters at www.urban outfitters.com, Environmental Graphics Web site, www.muralsyourway.com.
Or do your own Web search for some ideas on fun and easy ways to decorate.
