As August approaches and the summer slowly begins to wind down, it’s time to do some back-to-school shopping! For all those incoming freshman, it can be easy to buy WAY too many unnecessary things. So, from my experience, here are the ten things you need to make your dorm room functional & festive.
1. Christmas Lights And A Floor Lamp
No offense to any fluorescent light enthusiasts, but the ceiling lights in dorm rooms suck. They’re too harsh, too bright, and make everything look a little discolored and dead. To make your room a little more festive, homey, and functional; add a couple strings of Christmas lights and a floor lamp to your room. Both of these options are relatively affordable and make a huge difference in your room’s atmosphere. So, my advice…go Christmas light crazy and enjoy the festivity of the holiday season all year long!
2. A Futon
Now this option may be a little less inexpensive than the previous, but it is just as crucial to making your dorm room the best it can be. In a dorm room, you have a lot less space than you might at home, and most of your time will be spent hanging out on your bed…which absolutely destroys your sleep schedule (as if college doesn’t do that enough on its own). Having a futon gives you somewhere else to sit, adds something extra to your room, and gives your friends a place to stay when a night out gets a little too festive.
3. An Area Rug
I know that some schools have dorm rooms with carpeting, but the majority of them don’t. This means cold tile floors all winter long, and the thought of that is anything but festive. My advice? Find a plush area rug at Target or Bed Bath & Beyond, automatically your room will feel more homey and your feet will thank you for protecting them from those tile floors.
4. Photographs
Again, not all rooms are the same but many dorm rooms have plain, white, cement block walls. Doesn’t sound too festive now, does it? No matter how ready you are to go away to college, chances are that sometimes you’ll get homesick. Nothing helps cure a little case of homesickness like being able to look at pictures of your friends and family and reflect on all the good times you had with them.
5. DIY Decor
From canvases to pillows to photo collages, nothing amps up the festivity of a dorm room quite like DIY projects. Not only is this kind of décor more affordable, it also gives you something to do on boring summer days and gives you a way to show off your creativity while making your dorm room just a little more enjoyable.
6. LOTS of Blankets
Not being able to control the heat/air conditioning is a definite downside to dorm living. Nothing ruins a night of festivities like coming home to a cold room and a bed with only a scratchy comforter to huddle under. Instead, bring a ton of brightly colored and soft blankets to keep you warm on those cold winter nights.
7. A Fan
Now there’s nothing particularly cute about a fan, other than how much less sweaty you’ll be in a dorm room with a fan. Some dorm rooms have air conditioning, and some don’t, but regardless a fan is never a bad idea. Nothing is worse than trying to sleep in a sauna, a nice breeze (even from a fan) will make your room so much more comfortable
8. A Closet Light
Now this isn’t something I came to college with, but I was lucky enough to find one left behind in my closet. Since closets in most dorm rooms don’t have lights inside them, finding things inside your closet (especially after a long night out) can be very difficult. So, pick up a light or a flashlight to keep inside your closet so that you don’t have to wake up your roommate when you come home late from a night full of festiveness.
9. Microwave & Mini-Fridge
Contrary to popular belief, not all dining hall food is bad. But sometimes making the trip down to the dining hall is the real downside. While ramen and mac-and-cheese may not be a festive five-star meal, sometimes the appeal of eating in your room makes it all worthwhile. Also, having a refrigerator to store your Chipotle and other leftovers in makes eating out so much more cost-effective.
10. Extension Cords and Surge Protector
Now these items may sound like the least festive item on the list but it is easily the most important. Between Christmas lights, lamps, appliances, chargers, etc. you will have plenty to plug in and not many outlets to do it. A surge protector will give you more outlets and extension cords will help if your outlets aren’t conveniently placed.
