Space Creation

Making Your Dorm Room Feel Like Home

During a period when having a comforting space can inspire creativity and provide a refuge from the challenges of transitioning to college life, standard dorm rooms are often small, dull, and purely functional, leaving little opportunity for self-expression. Here are some organizational and design ideas to transform your area into a functional living space.

Paige and her roommate utilized a cork wall for a creative and colorful backdrop made with 12” X 12” sheets of scrapbook paper. Their room won 'Best Decorated'. — Paige and her roommate utilized a cork wall for a creative and colorful backdrop made with 12” X 12” sheets of scrapbook paper. Their room won ‘Best Decorated’.

Paige Davis from Plano, attending the University of Wyoming.

ADVICE FROM PAIGE’S MOTHER, RENA DAVIS

• If permitted by the college, consider raising the beds to free up space beneath.

“With more floor area available, we added a small side table with drawers and a tall, slim chest of drawers (4 feet high). She also brought a butterfly chair for more comfortable lounging beyond the desk chair provided.”

• Line all drawers with shelf paper for a clean surface for belongings and easy cleanup when moving out.

“Paige thought it was silly that we sent her with a wireless router and a printer; it turned out to be very popular. Everyone would stop by before class to print their assignments, avoiding trips outside the dorm!”