Written by: Allison Grundy
Being away from home is hard. Living in a college dorm is many students’ first experience being on their own, apart from their families. It can be a challenge to think of ways to make an otherwise empty dorm room feel like a home away from home. This is especially difficult because buying decorative items certainly can be categorized as an unnecessary expense when money is tight, which is a reality for many students. Here are some tips for affordable ways to make your dorm room feel more like home:
Rugs – Even though each dorm room has a perfectly good carpet or hardwood floor, placing a rug in your room is a small touch that can make the room feel more personal. Maybe you like a fluffy texture or a fun pattern, or maybe you’re more minimalist and gravitate toward neutral colors. I find that a rug makes a space feel much more intentional.
Houseplants – In my own experience with houseplants, I’ve found that pothos plants, heart-leaf philodendrons, cacti and succulents are the easiest plants to take care of in a dorm that may have low sun exposure and a caregiver with limited availability to nurture them. Having plants in your room offers the benefit of improving air quality and they can be found for a low price at hardware stores or on Facebook Marketplace. Also, plants such as the ones listed above are easy to propagate, which means rooting new plants from the cuttings of existing ones.
A Lamp – Getting a bedside lamp may make a huge difference when studying at night or getting ready in the morning while it’s still dark outside. Warm or dim light is easier on the eyes and the mind compared to the bright, fluorescent overhead lights that are typically installed in each dorm room. Small lamps are often inexpensive on Amazon or can be found at second-hand stores. Another budget-friendly way to get dimmer lighting is to install fairy or LED lights around the walls and ceiling.
Make One Big Bed – One of my close friends and her roommate decided to take down their bunk beds and push the beds together. This arrangement made their room a really fun hangout spot, with plenty of space for everyone to sit together. Her tip is to use a queen-size fitted sheet so that the beds fit together snugly. However, this is a layout decision that would be best for roommates who don’t mind sharing their space.
Keep a Tidy Space: Yes, this is a reminder to clean your room. And it’s the most affordable hack because it doesn’t cost anything! All that’s required is a few minutes each day to wipe down surfaces, vacuum the floor and put away clothes and other items. Having a tidy space helps to clear the mind.
Above all, your dorm room should be a comfortable place where you can relax and feel safe after a long day of work, study and other many student obligations.
