Going to college is of the most memorable experiences that anyone can encounter. I can vividly remember the preparation leading up to arriving on campus and being assigned to a complete stranger to share living quarters for almost a 9 months. So yes, there is some anxiety but when it comes to decorating your room there are so many common mistakes that you just may not be aware of. So I’m saving you from having the “roomie” conversation by following these tips to decorating the perfect space.
Budget
Creating a budget will save you time and buyers remorse. Whether your’e working with a large budget or a DIY budget like myself back in college. This will help you determine your needs vs wants without breaking the bank.
Color Scheme
The color scheme of your bedding, and linen is very important. Creating a space that doesn’t have too many loud color patterns (unless that you’re reference) is the key to creating a peaceful environment. It;s nothing worse than walking into a vibrant room and there is no sense of symmetry. Remember this is your sanctuary! Try sticking with naturals such as off white, taupe, mauve and pastels then buying from this.
Determine How Much Space
You must understand that when going to college the room is not as big as it seems on the website nor like you room at home. So pack light and take the essentials. Loll be surprised by the time the school year ends and how many random finds you would’ve collected. And who wants to deal wth consolidation all of that on move-out day
DIY Projects
If there anything that I can say about my college experience is that when you are “broke” you learn very quickly to become creatively resourceful. The thrift store and Craigslist became my best friend and my weekly shopping spree with my roommate. You’ll be surprised how much stuff people donate that only needs a little TLC to come back to life and be transformed into a masterpiece from Restoration Hardware. Here are some of the simple transformations: 1. Wire trash basket – Spray paint it your favorite accent color, flip its upside down and now it’s a bed nightstand. 2. Cardboard box – You can make trendiest headboard that’s known to mankind and I’m not kidding. All you need is a broken down box, fabric or book cover duck tape and an open mind and you’ll be set. 3. Mason Jars- Can do more than help you chug your favorite beer but these glasses can easily be spray painted and used to help you get organized with your pens, accessories, toothbrush etc.
Patience & Creativity
Pulling together everything in a short amount of time can be overwhelming. However I guarantee that if you are patient, within 30-60 days you will finally have everything come together and would’ve decorate your dorm to perfection. Pinterest is a great tool to get some inspiration from all over the world from girls and boys just like yourself.
[td_smart_list_end]
So if there is any advice that I can give you is that, college is about making lasting memories and I highly doubt that you will be spend most of our days in your dorm room. However the process of decorating can be a stress reliever from all of the school work and fun project that you can collectively do with your roommate. You can even try mentioning to the RA about a Roomie Decorating competition (DIY) of course to ad some friendly competitiveness in there. Trust me time flies when your having fun time and before you know it 4 years will come and go really quick.
Ready for college but not sure what to expect, or even bring? Before you say goodbye to your parents and friends, check out this ultimate guide to surviving your first year in college, and in particular at the country’s 107 historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs). We created the #HBCUFreshmanBible to help build a bridge for students to make a successful transition from high school to black colleges, you can read more here.
