If you're anything like me, you've spent the majority of your summer browsing Pinterest to find neat little decorating ideas for your college living space. And if you're really like me, it doesn't matter if this is your first year or your fourth year in college. Every year you look for new and exciting ways to give you a cool or chic new room. So for those of you looking for some inspiration, here are 12 ways to get a Pinterest-worthy college room. All of these images and ideas can be found on my "Apartment" Pinterest board. You can check it out and follow me for more inspiring ideas here.
1. Play around with lights.
This is something I'll actually be implementing myself this year. I suggest using command hooks behind your bed to hold up a rod that you hang a sheer curtain from. Then drape and dangle the lights on and around the rod. Voila! Or for something simpler, just try hanging some Christmas lights around your bed or desk. They add a sense of comfort to the room and personalize it. Plus, when used alone without any other lights, they add a sense of intimacy to the room. Perfect to fall asleep to!
Tip: Get the LED ones that won't catch fire!
2. Add a tapestry.
I was able to actually tour the apartment I'll be staying in this year so I know for a fact I have a lot of empty wall space. This is a pet peeve of mine. Overly empty walls can make your dorm room feel more like a jail cell. Try covering some of that blank space with a tapestry. And if mandalas aren't your style, look for some with pictures or other designs. One of my faves is this Disney Tapestry.
3. Find cool ways to hang or collage your pictures.
Personalizing your room is key. This is the place you will be living in for majority of the next year. Don't subject yourself to living in a dreary, empty, white-walled prison. Putting up pictures of your friends and family help to make the room seem more like yours. And again, empty wall space is my pet peeve; hanging pictures eliminates that problem.
4. Invest in throw pillows.
Most colleges don't have headboards on their beds. And if they do, they're ugly. Adding lots of little throw pillows on your bed can make the bed seem more inviting and lively while also giving the appearance of depth and height.
Tip: You can also make your own headboard or a headboard cover to put behind all those throw pillows to really give it a fancy look.
5. Get some cool canvases.
Canvas paintings aren't just for sorority girls! Find some cool ones that match your interests or theme of your room. I've spent my summer painting tons of canvases to hang throughout my apartment. With some practice you can make some really cool personal ones that will always be special because you made them! And trust me, you do not have to be super artsy. Some designs are simple and easy to master. If I can do it, you can too! Or you can just buy some. Your choice.
6. Decorate your desk.
This tip has multiple purposes. 1. It'll look cute. 2. It'll help you study. Find cute little knick knacks and picture frames to put on your desk. It'll help decorate the space, and encourage you to keep your desk neat and tidy. And since most minds function better in a clean environment, it just might help you when studying!
7. Get a cute bed set.
This might be obvious, but get a nice comforter. For a lot of different reasons. I mean, you're going to be sleeping in this bed, so get a nice one that will keep you warm. But also get a nice one so it looks like you've got some quality bedding. The bed is the focal point of the room. The eyes are drawn to it. Getting a nice comforter with good colors and/or patterns can make or break your room. Adding a bed skirt and lots of pillows can also improve the look of your bed.
8. Think of outside-the-box ways to store things.
Get it? Outside of the box? But you store things in a box... Lame puns aside, college rooms are small and you're going to need ways to store your stuff. But spending a little extra money to get some really pretty boxes can pay off in the long run.
Tip: If you insist on getting those clear storage containers with the drawers, tape some decorative paper to the inside of the drawer. That way you can't see all the junk stuffed in the drawer; you see the pretty pattern instead.
9. Find room for a bookshelf and use it to neatly store all your books and school supplies.
This one might not necessarily work out if you have a really small room, but if you can manage it, this is a really great way to keep everything organized while still making it look nice.
10. Plan with your roommate.
If you have a roommate, message her and see if she's interested in coordinating a theme or colors. Though you're two separate people with separate identities, you're living in the same room. Having one color scheme can make the room seem less disjointed. Choosing different ways to hang pictures or different comforters, though, can individualize your own spaces.
11. Use wall decals.
Just because you can't paint your dorm wall doesn't mean you can't add some cool touches to it. Temporary wall decals easily peel off so you can use them during the school year and take them off right before you move out.
12. Don't forget your school supplies!
Having a Pinterest-worthy room is cool and all, but don't forget the real reason you came to school. Find some places to keep your pens and post-it notes so you can keep striving for that 4.0!
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