Dormitory rooms at colleges and universities usually average about 12-by-19 feet. That means students entering their freshman year at universities across the country have, on average, 228 square feet of living space. Talk about tiny living! You can help your student get creative to maximize every inch so they have a welcoming space to live and study. And the best way to do that is to think vertical – space that is. Here are a few tips:
  • A 32” TV Mirror gives you the best of both worlds. A great mirror and a flatscreen television, perfect for any dorm room. [caption id="attachment_3788" align="alignleft" width="250"]TV-MIRROR-TV on TV in a Mirror![/caption]
  • Stack those beds to create more floor space. Don’t forget to use the space under the beds for convenient storage.
  • Baskets and containers can help keep things organized in your small closet.
  • Hanging shelves can also add more storage, especially for those items you use every day, like hair dryers, shoes, etc.
  • Floating shelves can go a long way toward making items accessible where and when you need them.
  • Add a few plants to make it more homey. Dorm rooms can feel unbearably sterile, so bring in some life with a few plants.
  • Add a colorful area rug to bring the space together. You can even make it out of old t-shirts.
These ideas are just the tip of the iceberg for dorm decorating ideas. There are tons of helpful lists online that tell you everything you’re going to need, but they don’t always offer the coolest options. Huffington Post gathered a bunch of ideas in this helpful list. Brit & Co. also has some great, inexpensive ideas to decorate a dorm room. So, have fun. Enjoy this opportunity to help your new young adult create a space that reflects their personal style (and makes you feel just a little less lonely on that drive back home when you drop them off).