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Back to School 2006: Dorm Décor on a Student's Budget: Thrifty Ways to Transform Your Space

Posted: August 31, 2006

Space Saving Solutions

1. Hoisting your bed up with bed raisers or spray painted milk cartons creates extra storage space under the bed, which can be used for items like an under-bed storage container with wheels.
2. Maximize space by conserving as much floor space as possible. Try removing desk chairs and replacing them with foldable ones so they are out of the way when not in use.
3. Use a collapsible hamper that is flat when not in use so as to conserve space.
4. Keep hundreds of CD's and DVD's safe in a large, zippered, portable case.
5. Create a night table perfect for small items, by using a tall CD Rack available from 'Solutions'.

Functionality

1. Set your bed against the wall and add lots of pillows to encourage friends to take a seat when hanging out in your space.
2. The Omni super-sized bean bag chair by Sumo (available at www.sumolounge.com) can be converted in many ways to provide extra seating and even house an overnight guest. With a price point fit for the students budget, it's a great find for dorm décor.
3. Everyone requires different lighting for different activities. Put a bright, extendable task light in your workspace to promote good study habits and add soft lighting from candles and lamps to create some much needed ambience; Ikea has a wide selection.
4. Dorms are notorious for bad ventilation; arm yourself with a fan.
5. Since putting holes in the wall is generally prohibited, purchase a mirror with its own stand.
6. Over-door hooks can be used to hang a variety of items, 'Solutions' has great variety.