| When I helped my daughter move into her first college | | | | back of a doorto hold small items (cosmetics, |
| dorm room, | | | | hairbrushes, CD players, pens,pencils, socks, |
| I wasn't prepared for how tiny her room would be! | | | | underwear, etc.). |
| Floor spacewas definitely scarce, and it was obvious | | | | Stackable plastic crates and bins can be used to store |
| she would have to comeup with some creative | | | | thingslike books and snacks. |
| storage solutions. | | | | Baskets are easy to find and can be used to store |
| Decorating a dorm room can be tricky, because | | | | many items. |
| obviously yourroommate will want to have a say in | | | | Most of these can be spray painted to match your |
| how the room is decorated. | | | | decor. |
| Whether you are moving into a dorm room for the | | | | Chalk board paint can be used to paint on many items |
| first time oryou are looking to re-decorate your existing | | | | to make theminto a chalkboard message board. |
| dorm room, hopefullythese decorating tips will give you | | | | Dry erase boards on the back of the door are handy |
| and your roommate somecreative ideas to give your | | | | forcommunicating with friends and roommates and |
| dorm room a great new look that youboth will love. | | | | making notes toyourself. You can also get a dry erase |
| Vacuum sealed space bags are great for transporting | | | | calendar at an officesupply store to keep track of |
| clothing tocollege. You can purchase these | | | | your busy schedule. |
| inexpensively at Walmart or oneBay. You won't | | | | Picture frames can also make great message boards. |
| believe how much you can get into these bags. Idon't | | | | Just removethe glass and replace it with cork, a fabric |
| recommend the extra large bags, because they are | | | | covered piece ofcardboard (use tacks to attach |
| quiteheavy when full and difficult to carry. These bags | | | | messages), or a piece of dry eraseboard. Most picture |
| can be storedunder a bed or stacked in the closet. | | | | frames can be spray painted. |
| Small storage ottomans or benches can provide | | | | Area rugs can add a note of individuality to a room. |
| seating and storageareas, and are easy to move | | | | They canalso help warm up the room and help |
| around and fit into small spaces. | | | | soundproof it. |
| They are great for storing blankets, pillows, hats, | | | | Before you get started decorating, make sure you |
| gloves, and agreat place to stow away book bags or | | | | look over allthe dorm room do's and don'ts in your |
| back packs. | | | | college handbook. Manycollege handbooks are |
| Buy some decorative hat boxes in varying sizes for | | | | available on the college's web site. |
| distinctivestorage. Shaker boxes also make great | | | | It's also a good idea not to buy all your accessories |
| storage. Both of thesetypes of storage can be | | | | before youactually see the dorm room for the first |
| purchased inexpensively on eBay. | | | | time. Dorm rooms areall different, and you want to |
| Hard case suitcases can be stacked up to create | | | | make sure all your furniture andaccessories will fit in |
| coffee or endtables, and used for storage. Most of | | | | the room. Thrift stores are usuallynumerous in college |
| these can be spray painted. | | | | towns, so you shouldn't have a problemfinding extra |
| Hang a shoe pocket organizer in a closet or on the | | | | furniture after you get there. |