Yay! Back to school time!

Since it's back to school time, we thought a couple of posts on decorating dorm rooms and first apartments might come in handy. Come back tomorrow for Tips on decorating your first apartment!

Tips for making your dorm room reflect YOUR personality:

You’re pretty limited on what you can do in a dorm room typically. They’ll usually supply you with the basic necessities, such as a bed, desk, nightstand, dresser, etc. And you really can’t change them, they are what they are. But there are a few things you can do in order to give your new space some personal expression (and make it feel a little more like home).

1. Great bedding is the easiest way to add some much needed color to a bland dorm room. There are options in every color, pattern, texture, and price point. Add a few colorful accent pillows for drama - and so you can prop yourself up against the wall for study time.

2. Artwork is always a challenge since you’re not usually able to place any holes in the walls. Especially if the rooms are made of concrete block! Posters are the common choice, but if you want your space to stand out, why not place a collage of colorful record album covers on one wall (use the same thick poster tape to hang them). Or better yet, take one of your favorite photos and blow it up to poster size, playing with the layout or cropping it to make it a little more abstract. This might be especially nice if it’s your first time away from home - you can use a photo that reminds you of home, but no one will have to know! They’ll just think it’s a great piece of unique art.

3. Colorful plastic storage bins placed around the room will add pops of color as well as much needed storage for clothing, books, etc. They can also be used for impromptu seating when necessary!

4. A patterned area rug will also help liven up the space, and add warmth under your feet. Choose a couple of the colors from the bedding as your cue when selecting the perfect one.