It’s that time again, back to school and whether you’re staying in dorm or in an apartment nearby, there a few key steps to decorating and organizing your new space. You want to make sure that your new home is both comfortable and functional. In small spaces, utilizing storage space is key.
Photo Courtesy of: PBTeen.com
First get a feel for the layout of the room, and if you’re staying in a dorm, of what furnishings are already there. Then, you can rearrange things to better utilize the space. Most dorm beds can be adjusted to become a loft. This creates a huge space under the bed to accommodate a small seating area, to store dressers and other belongings or to create a quiet study area.
Photo Courtesy of: HGTV Back To College
Keeping things stored properly and keeping your space de-cluttered is probably the most important factor. Plastic bins can store smaller clothing items. You can get multiple uses out of everyday objects. For example, Facebook fan Coral has an excellent idea for a shoe hanger: “Hang a shoe holder on the door to hold not just shoes, but also scarves, mittens, hats, etc. in the pockets.” This can keep all of your accessories neat, organized and off of the floor. Pants hangers and other multi-use hangers enable you to hang lots of things staggered vertically which can save tons of space as well. Be creative and use what you have. Facebook fan Linda says, “Hooks and peg boards can put walls to great use as storage… Think vertical.” These wonderful tips can help you make the most of the space that you have.
Photos 1 & 2 Courtesy of: Ikea Photo Courtesy of: ApartmentTherapy.com
Now that you’re organized, it’s time to start thinking about adding your own style to your room. Coordinating with your roommate will help ensure that you’re both happy with the overall look of your room. If you can agree on a color, choose different colors that complement one another. If you like blue but your roomie doesn’t, no biggie, you don’t have to match to create a finished look. Coordinating colors will give your room a fun, polished look and will help to make your new digs feel like home.