How to Make Your Dorm Room Feel Like Home
November 17, 2023
Open gallery
I would consider myself to be an “all over the place” kind of person. In all my twenty years on this earth, I have never been able to stick to just one aesthetic when it comes to the way I dress, the music I listen to, the content I watch, and of course the way I decorate my room. And while I am not ashamed about my miscellaneous style, it does make decorating a challenge. Or at least, I thought it would. When I first moved onto campus, I wanted my half of the room to have a cohesive look. But the reality is that I am not a cohesive person.
Something that is fun about room decoration is the idea of self-expression. It can be hard to move away from home and live on your own for the first time, as is the case for many college students, but when you consider the freedoms you will have, remember the freedom of self-expression. Remember that old saying that ‘home is not a place, but is more of an idea.’ And with that, picture what you want your home to look like. Then, get yourself some tape and poster putty and get to work!! Throw up a few pictures of your family and friends on the walls. Get some cute little LED lights to hang up above your bed. Find a nice, comfy blanket to sleep with. Hang a tapestry or two (I recommend using command strips or hooks for this).
Home is a space that should bring you comfort. You should be able to relax and enjoy being in your space. So, take the time to consider what you feel would inspire this feeling in your space. If you wish for the walls to be bare, then leave them bare, or, you may decorate to your heart’s content (within the restrictions of wall coverings). I personally have my walls covered, especially around my bed. I find my corner of photos and posters to be very comforting. When I find myself missing friends from home or family, it’s nice to have their pictures to look at. Of course, the walls aren’t the only thing to consider in this manner. My desk is covered in my little knick-knacks and books that I’ve brought from home that I like to reread or reference. And a fun tip: if you are someone who likes the smell of candles - as they are not allowed in dorms - you can have an oil diffuser! I use mine often to inspire feelings of home. Another small thing in my room is a letter board that I like to put silly phrases and inside jokes on that make my roommate laugh. That one may sound random to mention, but it truly is the little things that make a space feel like a home.
Bring with you little reminders of home if you’d like, but don’t forget to leave space for new things. Leave room on your walls for pictures with the friends you will make, for the posters of the new bands you will find or the new movie you’ll discover. I have made a habit of decorating walls with a combination of pictures and posters, and every semester I’ve had something new to add to my walls. Your college dorm is a space entirely dictated by you as far as what it will look like, so remember to make it somewhere you feel comfortable, safe, and ready for new adventures.
- Ambassador Leah