General Design Tips

• Multiple light sources- “layer” your light
• Rugs- cover that tile!
• Pale posters or tapestries- paler colors brighten, and therefore enlarge, your room
• Coordinate with your roomie- a similar color palette will make your room more attractive
• Mirrors- mirrors reflect light and produces the illusion of space, which is always important in a freshman dorm

Scroll to your dorm to see customized interior design tips!

Botetourt

General Description: Cinderblock walls, tile floors, harsh single light source, 1 window, medium size, average ceiling height

Distinct Features: spacious for a freshman dorm, pleasant forest views

Tips:

This was my freshman dorm. I recommend making the most of the unattractive cinderblock walls with large pale posters, pale tapestries, and string lights. A large rug should cover most of the unappealing tile floor, and the light in the room should be used sparingly. Try using a flag or a tapestry to dim the headache-inducing industrial light panel. Multiple smaller light sources, such as string lights, fairy lights, or tiny tabletop lamps will give you the option of brightness levels.

Units

General Description: Cinderblock walls, tile floors, harsh single light source, 1-2 small windows, small size, average ceiling height

Distinct Features: smaller freshman dorm, overall lack of open spaces

Tips:

Mirrors, mirrors, mirrors. This small dorm room needs mirrors to give the illusion of depth, and reflect light. I recommend a generous use of tapestries and large posters to cover the unwelcoming cinderblock walls. Try adding a few small lamps on your desks so you do not have to depend on the glaring light source. Professional designers use a technique called “light-layering” which consists of multiple small, bright light sources (Light Science Group, 2016). These “layers” enhance and enlarge your space. Use a few rugs to cover your tile floors. Lofting beds makes the most of your limited space; try to think dimensionally. Imagine your room is a 3-D puzzle, even the empty air space. Can you fit your dresser under your lofted bed? Can you store your belongings more effectively? This will help you open up your small space.

Yates

General Description: Cinderblock walls, tile floors, harsh light source and sink light, 1 window, medium size, average ceiling height

Distinct Features: sink and mirror space inside room, convenient location

Tips:

I will always suggest a cover-up when rooms are plagued with cinderblock walls. Use tapestries, framed pictures, and large pale posters to cover these walls. Go crazy with rugs, make your space cozy with textures; the tile floor is unattractive and reminiscent of elementary school floors. Lofting will make the most of your storage capabilities. The cramped sink area can be opened up through the use of mirrors, and store belongings under the sink! I’ve seen many freshman rooms neglecting this storage opportunity. Nooks like these can cramp up your space, but use it to your advantage with clever spatial solutions.

Jefferson

General Description: Dry walls, tile floors, harsh single light source, 1 window, medium size, high ceilings

Distinct Features: very high ceilings, inset closet area

Unlike the freshman dorms previously mentioned, your room has dry wall. Embrace your luck and use smaller framed pictures to personalize your space. Tapestries and posters are still recommended, but dry wall is more attractive and homey than cinderblock. I highly recommend several rugs to mask the ugly tile floor. Your high ceilings allow for creativity with space; try incorporating draped tapestries to introduce a canopy effect. You have enough vertical space to use an actual canopy! Colorful accents from the floor to the high ceiling will give your room a friendly atmosphere- high ceilings tend to intimidate your guests.

Monroe

General Description: Dry walls, tile floors, harsh light source and sink light, 1 window, medium size, high ceilings

Distinct Features: very high ceilings, sink and mirror space inside room

Tips:

Cover those floors! Your walls are more pleasant than cinderblock, so enjoy your options. Reduce the intimidating effect of high ceilings with colorful posters. Window curtains can add texture and color to your space, so I recommend semi-transparent curtains that can allow light into your room, while still protecting your privacy.

Brown

General Description: Dry walls, hardwood floors, harsh light source and sink light, 1 large window, average ceilings

Distinct Feature: hardwood floors, larger window, sink and mirror space inside room

Tips:

Brown freshmen are lucky bastards. “But Esther,” you reply, “They’re so far from campus!” Yes, these residents live across the street from the Campus Store in Colonial Williamsburg, but do not pity these rascals. The remote location only benefits their health and sharpens their calves. Sleek hardwood floors, dry walls, and luxe lounges sparkle on the inside of this upperclassmen-turned-freshmen dorm. Brown residents can, but do not need to, use copious amounts of rugs or tapestries to cover their floors and walls. This homey dorm is a freshman dream come true. A few strategically placed mirrors can add depth to these (already large) rooms. One or two statement smaller rugs can make this room less uniform. Bright posters and string lights are not necessary, but are a personalization option. Framed pictures and statement wood furniture will make your freshman dorm seem dazzlingly dignified.

Hunt

General Description: Dry walls, tile floors, harsh single light source, 1 window, average ceilings

Distinct Feature: smaller freshman dorm

I recommend lofting beds because of the limited space. Use several lamps to provide options for high or low brightness levels. Try coordinating a color palette with your roommate; monochromatic color schemes allow the eye to move around the room without “abrupt interruption” by other colors (Frake, 2015). Make use of all of your space; furniture that has multiple storage forms or purposes is highly effective. Seating that doubles is storage is always a good idea.

Taliaferro

General Description: Dry walls, tile floors, harsh light source and sink light, 1 window, average ceilings

Distinct Feature: spacious for a freshman dorm, appealing Marketplace location

Rugs are a necessity- cover up those tiles! Avoid dark rugs- black and navy will shrink your space visually. Take some time to think about how you want to feel when you walk into your dorm room. Do you want to feel calm? Happy? Energized? Cozy? Blues will calm your mood, and yellows and pastels will brighten not only your room but also your aura. Periodic pops of neon will energize you, and varied textures will make the atmosphere seem cozier. Framed picture sets will personalize your space- avoid taping posters and pictures directly to your wall. Direct taping will not only damage the wall, but also give your dorm room a “juvenile girl taping pictures of Zac Efron from Seventeen magazine to her ugly violet wall” vibe.