By Maria Martin
ShopAtHome.com
If you’re sending a teen off to college, be prepared for that first glimpse of your child’s first home away from home. The mighty dorm room might have had a few modern updates over the years, but at most colleges and universities, you’ll still be looking at a pretty spare space.
Think blank white walls, two beds, two desks and one very cold tile floor.
Before you or your child despair, take some tips from pros to bring the place to life.
Interior designer Adrienne Sams has plenty of experience combining both the practical and the whimsical to bring such spaces to life. The mother of two got to work quickly when she saw the dorm room her daughter was to share with a roommate.
“We weren’t allowed to paint the walls, so we bought a couple of tapestries from Urban Outfitters and covered one entire wall with them,” she says. The mother-daughter team then took outdoor decorative lights and strung them across the top of the room.
Other tips from the pro: If it fits, a little decorative table will bring warmth to the room, as will pretty lamps, framed photos and the all-important element: rugs.
“I like the modular, interface FLOR carpet squares (flor.com),” she says. “If one gets stained, no big deal; it doesn’t cost much to replace.”
Other good bets: indoor-outdoor rugs, which are inexpensive and easy to clean, she says, and going for something that can be reused in the next spot your child will live.
“You might use a spring tension rod and find a nice shower curtain,” Sams suggests.
Even if you don’t bunk the beds, many dorms let you put them on risers, offering much-needed space for anything from a bureau to a pouf. Finally, don’t forget the power of window treatments.
Making the most of limited space is essential, says Leah Drill, spokeswoman for Bed, Bath & Beyond.
“A student will likely be sharing the space in a dorm room, so it’s important to maximize the space that you do have, like over the door, under the bed and in the closet,” she says. “The door is a great vertical place to hang an over the door mirror, a cap storage rack, an extra rod or a hamper.”
Bed, Bath & Beyond is filled with dorm-room essentials, like under-bed storage bins, double-hang closet rods and sweater organizers for closets.
One key to living in a small space — especially one shared by one or more roommates — is to keep things tidy, even though that can be a challenge, says Ralph Snyder, vice president of home trends at Kohl’s Department Stores.
“The right organizational products go a long way to create a fresh and welcoming room,” he says. “Jewelry organizers, shoe racks and shower caddies in bright colors and fun prints help keep the space organized and updated.”
Following are a few suggestions for items that will help you make the most of a small space:
Bunjo Oversized Bungee Chair ($39.99, bedbathandbeyond.com). First of all, it has the "cool" factor. But also worth considering, it's comfortable, doesn't take up valuable space, and folds for easy storage.
Room Essentials Accent Rugs ($9.99-$24.99, target.com). Brighten up the space with a flash of color. It will also help warm up the room on cold mornings.
Under-Bed Grommet Tote ($16.99, bedbathandbeyond.com). This zippered box will keep everything from wardrobe essentials to blankets out of sight until they are needed.
Room Essentials Photo Clip Strings ($9.99, target.com). Keep homesickness at bay by stringing up photos of her friends and family back home.
Bedside Storage Caddy ($14.99, bedbathandbeyond.com). We loved this handy caddy, which can hold everything from heavy books to smaller essentials like pens and remotes.
Simple by Design Chevron Convertible Hamper ($49.99, kohls.com). This hamper features a laundry drop hole that converts to a handle.
6-Shelf Sweater Organizer ($14.99, bedbathandbeyond.com). For the young woman with a million pairs of jeans and stack taller than her of sweaters, you might need to invest in a couple of these.
Teal Desk Lamp ($19.99, homegoods.com). We like the color of this handy little light, which will add a warm touch to the room.
Room Essentials Storage Ottomans ($19.99-$34.99, target.com). In spall spaces, look for items that serve more than one function, like this ottoman, which is storage space, foot rest or, topped with a tray, table.
Extra Long Twin Sheets ($19.99, homegoods.com). Regular twin sheets usually don't fit on the mattresses in dorm rooms, so arrive prepared with these soft sheets.
Room Essentials Reversible Comforters ($19.99, target.com). If your teen gets bored of one pattern, a simple flip will change up the look.
The trick to a harmonious relationship with roommates is to keep things orderly. This caddie will help accomplish that goal.
Coral Blues Rug ($299.99, pier1.com). Bring a hint of the sea to a dorm room with this colorful, soft rug. Best, stains will happen, so it's easy to clean: simply hose it off.
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