I mentioned in my last post (you can read it here)that I recently moved into college, so I figured there was no better way to follow that post than talking a little about what this new experience is looking like for me. Spoiler: it mostly looks like lots of homework and dull cafeteria food. But no matter how underwhelming my social life may be to some of you, at least my dorm room is up to speed these days.
A peak into my home away from home
(Plus, lots of tips on making the most of your dorm room)
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Back To Basics
1. Get Cozy.
Finding bedding was the hardest part for me. I wanted something subtle and cozy yet stylish. I am pretty happy with the combination I ended up with, but if I am being honest, the real game changer here is my mattress pad. If there is one thing you need for college, it is a foam mattress pad. . .unless you already have a hard time getting out of bed. You can find one cheapest on Amazon (like mine here), and it will be worth every penny. Trust me.
2. Add Some Personality.
When you are given a tiny grey box, you have to pull out on your HGTV cap and get creative. My roommate and I added a clothes rack with a hanging mirror (attached using carpentry clamps). This cost a little over $50 and completely transformed the room. Now, we didn’t totally need the extra storage, but this piece could also be incredibly functional if you are tight on space in your closet.
All THe Extras
3. Bring Your Walls to Life
Add a little flare to your walls by incorporating different textures, lights and pictures. To create dimension, I added a fedora and a bouquet of fake flowers with Command hooks.
4. Get thrifty.
I used an old locker divider (spray-painted copper, of course) along with a wooden crate to add storage to my desk. Reduce, reuse, recycle – am I right?!
5. Get outside.
Now that you have a super cozy room to collapse in at night, spend as little time in here as possible.
Two reasons:
- Your bed, especially with that lovely foam mattress topper, is a temptress and will lure you away from whatever homework assignment you are meant to complete.
- Friends do not magically pop in through the AC vent. You have to go out and experience what college has to offer.
I’ll admit, that last one is hard for me. I can be extremely shy and intimidated in new situations – and college is the new situation of all new situations. I am just not the kind of person who can walk up to whomever I please and make a new pal. So, for a few weeks, getting out of my room meant finding a corner in the library to hide in. As pathetic as that sounds, it was what was working for me. Recently though, I’ve opened myself up to the wonders of a dorm common room. Interesting place, that.
SHOP MY DORM
Making a home in a new environment is daunting, if not impossible, at first. It takes time and as many fairy lights as you can fit in your mom’s minivan to make a dorm feel like home. I can’t say I am totally at peace here yet.
But like all things “college,” it’s a work in progress.
XOXOXO, ZO
XoXo, Zo uses affiliate links, which means I earn a small commission for providing links to items I think you’ll love.