It used to be that dorm room decorating consisted of bean bag chairs, posters, bookshelves, hotplates, and plenty of ramen noodles.
Today living in a dorm doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice your sense of style just because the space is limited.
Here are 5 modern design ideas to help make your dorm room stylish and functional.
Create an intentional design
Decide what kind of look you want to accomplish in your room and stick with it. A cohesive design will equal a pulled-together look in the eyes of your friends. Some choices include:
- Sporty
- Glamorous
- Beachy
- Artsy
- Boho
- Grunge
- Minimalist
- Preppy
Go vertical
Spreading out isn’t much of an option in most dorm rooms. The most obvious alternative is to go vertical. Try doing that with a loft bed.
If the ceilings are high enough, you can elevate your bed to the point where there’s room for a lounge or study area beneath it.
If you have a roommate, and you both elevate your beds, you’ll have twice the space.
If lofting isn’t an option, consider using bed risers to give you added storage under the bed. You can add wheels to old dresser drawers and slide them under your bed for stylish hidden storage. If you don’t like the look of exposed storage, add a bed duster/skirt to cover up the storage drawers.
Express yourself with color
The color scheme you choose is extremely important. Not only does it say a lot about who you are as a person it will also set the mood for your living space. Color schemes can be hot, cool, warm, or quirky. Here’s a breakdown to help you decide what colors will create the mood you’re trying to set.
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Blue:
This is the color that calms. It will center and relax you. It can lower your blood pressure, clear your mind and steady your breathing. Warm, light blues are often a better choice than chillier pastel blues.
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Yellow:
This color will brighten your mood and make you more energetic. It’s a great color to wake up to in the morning.
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White:
There’s nothing cleaner looking than white. It stands for goodness, purity, and innocence. Better yet it makes your room look bigger and your ceilings higher.
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Green:
This is a great color for reducing anxiety. It is restful, restorative, clears the mind, and encourages composure. If you’re a nature lover, green will give you the outdoorsy feel you crave.
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Purple:
This color is dramatic, luxurious, and rich. It will give your surroundings a mysterious, luxurious, and romantic vibe that sparks creativity.
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Orange:
This is the color that creates energy and enthusiasm. It’s great for exercise but also stimulates the appetite. This probably isn’t the color you want in your kitchen.
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Red:
This is the social color. It can raise your heart rate and your blood pressure. If relaxing is your goal, this isn’t the color for you.
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Pink:
This color calms the nerves and will relieve your feelings of anger and aggression.
other valuable tips:
Use multi-functional furnishings
When space is limited it’s smart to have furniture that can serve multiple purposes. A pouf or ottoman, for example, can easily serve as a footrest, a table, or a seat. It takes up less room than a coffee table and is more versatile.
Create a focal point
When you are designing a small space, adding a statement centerpiece can really pull your room together. Wall art is a great way to do that. Good floral paintings and prints complement all types of decor and will impress everyone with your great taste and sense of style.
Dorm rooms don’t have to be sterile, gray-walled cells. You can put your own stamp on your space without breaking the bank or breaking the rules. It just takes some thought and imagination to create a perfect place that reflects your unique style.
Image Credit: dorm room style by Twenty20
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