September
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Back to School: Interior Design Tips for Dorm Rooms
As parents, helping a child move into their college dorm is one of those milestones that it seems you’ve worked for your entire life. With the move-in date quickly approaching, here are a few handy tips for helping your son or daughter make their dorm room more comfortable.
Storage space is a premium. Unfortunately, most college dorm rooms are tiny which means that finding efficient places to store things is critical.
- Use hooks to hang up jackets, bags, towels, or other items. These are a great way to maximize space behind doors or on walls.
- Stackable storage. Use plastic bins that can be easily stacked and offer convenient access to what’s inside.
- Underbed storage. Loft the bed to create extra room for your belongings underneath it.
- Hanging closet organizers. These are great solution for making more room in a small closet with separated compartments for shoes, clothes, and other accessories.
Don’t bring so much stuff. An honest assessment of how many things your child needs to bring is absolutely necessary. Ask them, do they really need that 72 inch flat screen, drum set, entire book collection, all of their dvds, and every single clothing item they own? Probably not. The key is to pare down all the unnecessary items that will just clutter their lives and pare back to what they need and really love.
Use what you have at home. Rather than buying all new costly items for the dorm room, see what you have at home that can be shipped or moved.
Multiple purpose furniture. Fortunately, furniture designers today have made all kinds of handy items that also double as storage devices. Make sure to select items that serve two functions. For instance, that ottoman should also open up and serve as a storage bin or the couch should fold out into a bed.
Lighting. The lighting in dorm rooms is often weak, so adding desk lamps or stringing lights over the bed are a great way to literally brighten the room and add a touch of style.
Rugs. Dorm floors are often cold, hard, and barren. Adding a rug will instantly soften the room, add different textures, and give it a bold accent. It’s also the perfect way to give it a homier feel.