How to maximize your budget, space, and style.
Decorating on a budget
At this point in the semester, you’ve more than likely embraced your status as a “broke college kid.” But don’t let limited funds cramp your style! Here are some tips that will help you decorate your space with minimal cash:
- Fill your walls with posters and photos of family and friends. These sorts of things make cheap and easy wall art. Make sure you stay within the coverage limit, though.
- Snag a string of Christmas lights from your parent’s garage to use to illuminate your room. Hang alongside your photos, posters and other wall art to add a bit of ambiance.
- “Use old cups as pencil holders. You can draw on them or tie ribbon around them to make them your own style,” said USFSP freshman and graphic design major Brianna Roosa, 18.
- Reach out to your roomies and see what they already have. There’s no reason to buy duplicates of essential items. Make a list of what you need and divvy up the responsibility.
- “My recommendations for low prices are at the ‘holy trinity’ as I call it, otherwise known as T.J Maxx, Marshalls, and Ross, each where you shop for less. If you absolutely can’t find something you need (i.e. extra drawers or bed lifters), that’s when you can go to Target or Walmart. And a MUST is at the end of the semester, when students are moving out. Ask around if they would be willing to donate their items. There is a high chance they are just throwing them away,” said USFSP grad Solange Gorleku, 23.
- Flip a cute wire garbage bin upside down to make a side table on the fly.
- Hit dollar stores, garage sales and thrift shops for extra decor. You can find everything from kitchenware to clothes, all at discounted prices.
- Check out the plethora of DIY tutorials on Pinterest. Learn how to reuse and recycle things you probably already have to make crafty additions to your dorm.
Decorating in small spaces
Living on campus means you and your roommates have limited space to share. Don’t think that just because your space is cramped your style has to be, too. Check out these simple tips to maximize your dorm space:
- Utilize the space underneath your bed. This is a great built-in spot for you to stash your mini-fridge, stackable storage bins, suitcases and other bulky items.
- Don’t forget about the space over your bed, either. Look into purchasing an over-the-bed organizer. They look a bit like a mini-shelving unit and are well worth the investment with a shortage of space.
- Take advantage of any limited closet space available. Use hanging shoe racks and don’t be afraid to put more than one piece of clothing on each hanger.
- Maximize space on and in your desk. There are organizers for that too, like pencil holders and hanging file folders for your drawers, among other tools, that will help you make sense of the space.
- Hang a rack over the back of your door. Use this to store belts, ties, scarves and hats. You will be amazed at the amount of room this will save you.
- That random spot in the corner is the perfect location for a small corner table or rack.This is a great way to store items such as jewelry, perfume and other accessories.
- Don’t let the small spaces in between large furniture go to waste! Those teeny-tiny spots are the best place to put stacking storage bins. You can find bins of all sizes at The Container Store (4720 W Spruce St., Tampa).
- Place a full-length mirror against the wall, or on the back of your door. This allows you to give yourself a head-to-toe once over before heading off to class. Plus, the mirror gives the illusion of a bigger space.
Decorating stylishly
The most important part of dorm decorating is making sure the space reflects your personal style. Scope out these tips and tricks for transforming your humble abode from drab to fab:
- Give wall art some extra ‘umph with washi tape. You can use it to create trendy geometric patterns and shapes, or to tape a custom frame around pictures and posters. The best part about washi tape is that it’s easy to take off and never leaves any residue.
- Bring a little bit of the outdoors into your dorm with house plants. Varieties such as succulents and cacti are easy care for —even if you don’t have a “green thumb.”
- “Adding bright and bubbly colors is a great way to liven up your dorm. Make sure your color scheme reflects your personality. I am a very colorful person and I think my decor reflects that,” said USFSP elementary education sophomore Angelina Lindsay, 19.
- Bring some school spirit to your decor! This tip doubles as a money-saver. Take advantage of all the freebies available on campus to use to decorate your dorm. Stickers, posters and other items make great additions to dorm decor.
- An accent rug is a must. Those cold tile floors are begging to be covered. “Rugs not only help bring a pop of color but they also make the dorm feel much more home-like,” said Roosa.
- Throw pillows are a perfect way to make your bed extra cozy. Large throw pillows can also double as seat cushions to create some additional seating.
- Place electric tealight candles in colorful jars to add in a bit of soft lighting. Make sure you’re using electric candles since dorm regulations don’t allow the use of real flames.
- Use sentimental items to add personality to your space. “A lot of the things I use to decorate my dorm have a lot of meaning behind them. From seashells to old pictures and drawings, they’re all things that I find comfort in and really make my dorm more like home for me,” said Roosa.
