Dorm Room Ideas
If you are looking to save money don't buy all new furniture, create some. Buy old "home fix-it" magazines, they have lots of ideas. When you are out looking, keep in mind that items can be used for other purposes other than what they were meant to be used for. This can make your find even more unique. Remember you have enough to pay with college fees so don't spend a ton on a dorm room when you can make it nice for much less.
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Bookcases
For a quick, attractive bookshelf, lay boards across bricks, glass blocks, or concrete blocks. Plastic milk crates -- the kind that milk cartons are carried in -- can be stacked to make a colorful set of shelves for your room. Most of these cartons belong to dairy companies and must be paid for, but you can find similar units for sale in many home centers. (With diligence and a bit of luck, you may even locate some old-fashioned wooden milk crates at a flea market or country antiques shop.) Some plastic milk crates are designed to interlock. If yours aren't, secure them with twist ties, strips of cloth, or plastic tape. For neatness, choose a matching color.
Don't spend a fortune on dorm furniture
Broken items that cost next to nothing can be fixed. Neat pieces of furniture don't have to be antiques; they just need to look like it. They might have carved designs, which add charm, or they may have an unusual look. Country colors in spray paint can make an old piece of furniture look wonderful.
When you are shopping look for items like switch plates, wire, hinges, paint and brushes, etc. This can save you a lot of money when you are redoing a room or item. Brass, copper or bronze objects can be cleaned with a little toothpaste.
Buy as you see different parts of items, i.e., a wicker chair (you will find more pieces as you go each week and soon you could furnish a whole room), material for seat covers that you like and is in just the right colors (even though you haven't gotten the chairs yet, get the material now and find the chairs later - get the bargain when you see it) - these aren't large investments but if bought new they could be.
Different pieces of furniture, i.e., chest, bed, dresser, bought at different times can look like a matched set with a new coat of paint and by switching out drawer knobs with new ones that match
A picture frame can be fitted to hold a mirror.
When you are shopping look for items like switch plates, wire, hinges, paint and brushes, etc. This can save you a lot of money when you are redoing a room or item. Brass, copper or bronze objects can be cleaned with a little toothpaste.
Buy as you see different parts of items, i.e., a wicker chair (you will find more pieces as you go each week and soon you could furnish a whole room), material for seat covers that you like and is in just the right colors (even though you haven't gotten the chairs yet, get the material now and find the chairs later - get the bargain when you see it) - these aren't large investments but if bought new they could be.
Different pieces of furniture, i.e., chest, bed, dresser, bought at different times can look like a matched set with a new coat of paint and by switching out drawer knobs with new ones that match
A picture frame can be fitted to hold a mirror.
Closet Clutter
1. Use your closets for everyday things -- not for long-term storage. If you haven't used an item for some time, get rid of it or store it in the attic at home.
2. Coats take up space; put them on a coat rack near the door. If in college take them home during non-coat seasons.
3. Whenever you take a piece of clothing off a hanger, put the hanger in the center of the rod, where it will be easy to find when needed.
4. To conceal open shelves at the top of the closet, install a decorative window shade.
5. To keep closets clean, dry, and fresh smelling, try placing open, empty perfume bottles or unwrapped bars of soap in them. Or make moth-repellent sachets from dried lavender, whole peppercorns, cedar chips, or a 50-50 mixture of dried rosemary and mint. (try a pet store or discount store for cedar chips; a health food store should carry the others.) If you can't find sachet bags, make your own out of pantyhose, old clean nylons, or baby socks.
6. Another neat idea is to get a wooden foot locker to place at the end of the bed. This is a perfect place for storage plus a cushion makes it an added place to sit.
2. Coats take up space; put them on a coat rack near the door. If in college take them home during non-coat seasons.
3. Whenever you take a piece of clothing off a hanger, put the hanger in the center of the rod, where it will be easy to find when needed.
4. To conceal open shelves at the top of the closet, install a decorative window shade.
5. To keep closets clean, dry, and fresh smelling, try placing open, empty perfume bottles or unwrapped bars of soap in them. Or make moth-repellent sachets from dried lavender, whole peppercorns, cedar chips, or a 50-50 mixture of dried rosemary and mint. (try a pet store or discount store for cedar chips; a health food store should carry the others.) If you can't find sachet bags, make your own out of pantyhose, old clean nylons, or baby socks.
6. Another neat idea is to get a wooden foot locker to place at the end of the bed. This is a perfect place for storage plus a cushion makes it an added place to sit.
Closet Doors
Want to hide unsightly or makeshift storage areas? Use your ingenuity to come up with decorative substitutes for closet doors.
1. Build shelves on bedroom walls and cover them with matching draperies. Or position handsome Japanese style shoji screens at one end of a long room.
2. Hang bamboo or wooden roll-up blinds from the ceiling to conceal a Pulllman kitchen. Or suspend a blind at the end of a long corridor and stow the ironing board and vacuum cleaner there.
1. Build shelves on bedroom walls and cover them with matching draperies. Or position handsome Japanese style shoji screens at one end of a long room.
2. Hang bamboo or wooden roll-up blinds from the ceiling to conceal a Pulllman kitchen. Or suspend a blind at the end of a long corridor and stow the ironing board and vacuum cleaner there.
Packing Up Some Clothes
To reduce wrinkles, fold your garments in tissue paper or wrap them in plastic bags. For shirts or blouses, wrap several layers of them around a piece of cardboard. Or interfold clothing; place one end of a long garment face down and even with an inside wall of the suitcase and let the other end hang out. Then lay shorter items vertically on top of it and fold the end over. Alternate layers so that the garments cushion one another. Tuck small items, such as socks and handkerchiefs, into collars and along fold lines. Don't fold clothes that are going into a duffel bag; roll them. In a three-section suitcase put the heaviest items in the middle. In any bag make sure that heavy items are on the bottom when the luggage is upright. Don't overstuff. In a hanging bag put the delicate clothes in first. Center garments on hangers and bring their sleeves slightly to the front. Need an extra bag? Use a department store or dry cleaner's garment bag as a hanging bag. On short trips a picnic basket is handy for carrying frequently used items.
Storage Space
Old trunks can be repainted and make great storage. Get old wallpaper books or wallpaper and cut different shapes, then collage the inside of the trunk to make it clean and fresh looking. (If the trunk has a musty smell, fill it with crumpled newspaper, and then close it up. Just change the paper every 2-3 days until the odor is gone.) An old wooden buffet can become a neat storage chest if you cut the legs down to about 3" to 4" and repaint or re-stain it. They make a great TV stand
In one section of your closet install two rods, one 3 to 4 feet above the other. Use them for short items such as shirts and skirts. Suspend shower curtain hooks from the rods to hold belts, purses, and scarves. Place storage boxes in the wasted space at the closet bottom. Make your own from bureau drawers; add hinged tops to keep out dust. Storage boxes also work well under the bed. They'll be easier to pull in and out if you put them on rollers. Store frequently used items in clear plastic boxes or wire baskets on closet shelves. Attach hooks, towel racks, or shoe bags to the closet walls or door for miscellaneous items.
An added idea is to buy four risers for the legs of the bed. This will lift the bed up further and will add much added space for flat storage boxes underneath.
In one section of your closet install two rods, one 3 to 4 feet above the other. Use them for short items such as shirts and skirts. Suspend shower curtain hooks from the rods to hold belts, purses, and scarves. Place storage boxes in the wasted space at the closet bottom. Make your own from bureau drawers; add hinged tops to keep out dust. Storage boxes also work well under the bed. They'll be easier to pull in and out if you put them on rollers. Store frequently used items in clear plastic boxes or wire baskets on closet shelves. Attach hooks, towel racks, or shoe bags to the closet walls or door for miscellaneous items.
An added idea is to buy four risers for the legs of the bed. This will lift the bed up further and will add much added space for flat storage boxes underneath.
Privacy
Don't feel guilty if you regularly require some time alone to relax and refresh yourself. Keep hours that are slightly different from those of the rest of your friends: rise earlier to recharge your energy and clear your head, or stay up a little later at night.
Invest in an answering machine and turn it on to screen calls even when you are in your room. Find a spot you can call your own private sanctuary. Arrange a "Do Not Disturb" signal--a sign on the door, or something to let your roommate or friends know you are in a private mode. Go for a long walk. Or if you prefer to be alone in a crowd, go to a concert, a movie, or a museum. Learn to respect other people's privacy as well. Knock before opening a door; never open others' mail, read their diaries, or listen in on their phone conversations.
Invest in an answering machine and turn it on to screen calls even when you are in your room. Find a spot you can call your own private sanctuary. Arrange a "Do Not Disturb" signal--a sign on the door, or something to let your roommate or friends know you are in a private mode. Go for a long walk. Or if you prefer to be alone in a crowd, go to a concert, a movie, or a museum. Learn to respect other people's privacy as well. Knock before opening a door; never open others' mail, read their diaries, or listen in on their phone conversations.
College Supplies 101 from Amazon
Rubbermaid 3H88 Configurations 3-to-6-Foot Deluxe Custom Closet Kit, White
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Canon PowerShot SD850 IS 8.0 MP Digital Elph Camera with 4x Optical Image Stabilized Zoom
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Haier HSC02PP 1.7-Cu-Ft Refrigerator, Passion Pink
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Texas Instruments TI-83 Plus Graphing Calculator
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Don't forget these things
Claire's Pop Culture Twin Comforter Set
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Claire's Pop Culture Circle Strand Room Divider, Multicolor
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Claire's Pop Culture Twin Sheet Set
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Jeep Adventure Black Twin Comforter and Sham Set
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Jeep Adventure Blue Twin Sheet Set
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More Neat Ideas for Rooms
LG LTM9000ST 0.9 cu. ft. Combination Microwave Oven/Toaster
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and these
Jeep Extreme Twin Bedding Set
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Lenox Platinum Collection Bath Towel, Polished Platinum
Amazon Price: $25.00 (as of 12/31/2009)
Pike Street 100% Egyptian Cotton 725-Gram 6-Piece Towel Set, Cream
Amazon Price: $24.99 (as of 12/31/2009)
Pinzon Bamboo Cotton Medium Bath Robe, Palm
Amazon Price: $49.99 (as of 12/31/2009)
Roommates
Looking for a roommate? When you interview a stranger, take along a friend whose judgment you trust. Have a talk about smoking, neatness, TV, music, and your social activities to make sure your habits are compatible.
When you move in with a new roommate, work out rules for bathroom times, overnight guests, shut-off times for the TV and stereo, division of expenses and housekeeping chores, and refrigerator use. Separate telephones and answering machines will probably do more than anything to ensure that things run smoothly. If you live with more than one person, post weekly maintenance duties for each. The refrigerator door is a good place for the list. Develop a civilized method of airing problems and don't let annoyances fester. Humor can go a long way toward working things out.
When you move in with a new roommate, work out rules for bathroom times, overnight guests, shut-off times for the TV and stereo, division of expenses and housekeeping chores, and refrigerator use. Separate telephones and answering machines will probably do more than anything to ensure that things run smoothly. If you live with more than one person, post weekly maintenance duties for each. The refrigerator door is a good place for the list. Develop a civilized method of airing problems and don't let annoyances fester. Humor can go a long way toward working things out.
Some of my Lens
- Car Survival Kit
- In recent years there have been several instances where either a family or individual have been stranded in their car for lengths of time and could have been safer if they had some of the items we have listed. Keep the following items on hand to ensure that you are safe and comfortable on automobile
- Redo that Junk!
- How great and fun it is to find neat old items at an auction or tag/garage sale and take them home and fix them up. If you think of the money you save you will be surprised. Keep in mind your colors - things don't have to match. Anything can be repainted - look at an old scratched piece of furniture
- Job Resume!
- Just as in meeting people, the first impression of a resume becomes extremely important when an employer looks for prospective employees. An employer may simply give a first glance to each resume in a large stack, just to get an idea of who is applying. This first glance averages about 60 seconds an
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- College Bound?
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Some really great books from Amazon
Trash to Treasure: The Year's Best Creative Crafts (Volume 4)
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Room for Improvement: The Post-College Girls Guide to Roommate Living
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The Dorm Room Diet: The 8-Step Program for Creating a Healthy Lifestyle Plan That Really Works
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Stretch your college dollars: a closer look at this dorm room will give you some money-saving tips. (Money Matters).: An article from: Careers & Colleges
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Budget Bedrooms.(dorm room furnishings)(Brief Article): An article from: Careers & Colleges
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Great Stuff on Amazon
The Big Book of Teen Rooms
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Bedrooms for Cool Kids
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Pottery Barn Bedrooms (Pottery Barn Design Library)
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Pottery Barn Storage & Display (Pottery Barn Design Library)
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Thom Filicia Style: Inspired Ideas for Creating Rooms You'll Love
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More great books
Flea Market Furniture: 16 Projects to Turn Trash to Treasure
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Flea Market Finds: Before and After (Leisure Arts #15916)
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Things for the dorm room
Swingline Collectors Edition 747 Rio Red Business Stapler (S7074736E)
Amazon Price: $20.21 (as of 12/31/2009)
Casio FX-115MS Plus Scientific Calculator
Amazon Price: $16.90 (as of 12/31/2009)
Panasonic KP380-BK Classic Electric Pencil Sharpener, Black, One Unit
Amazon Price: $39.99 (as of 12/31/2009)
Samsonite 10386 Business Casual Sport Backpack (Black/Gray)
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More great items
Franklin Covey 22997 Metal punch for 5-1/2 x 8-1/2 classic style day planner pages for 2009
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More items
Eldon(R) Shelf Savers™ X-Cube, Clear
Amazon Price: $14.90 (as of 12/31/2009)
Rubbermaid(R) Deskside "We Recycle" Container, 7 Gallons, 14 1/4"H x 15"W x 10 1/4"D, Blue
Amazon Price: $12.18 (as of 12/31/2009)
Concorde Microfiber Planner, 3 Ring, 5 1/2"x8 1/2", Black (DRN2454199) Category: Personal
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Del.icio.us bookmarks
Link List
- Rate My Dorm Room Blog
- Dorm Room blog
- College Life: Cheap Dorm Room Decorating Ideas
- Inexpensive and cheap college dorm room decorating ideas and tips. College Life & Living.
- HomeEnvy - Dorm-room decorating
- Dorm room decorating ideas
- USA Made
- Wondering where you can get a real made in the USA item for Christmas presents? We have some great gifts.
- Amazon.com: college Discussion Forum
- Share your questions, insights and views about products available on Amazon.com with other members of the college community at Amazon.com
Link List
- Rate My Space (HGTV)
- Click on Dorm Rooms and see how others have decorated their dorm rooms. Might give you some ideas.
- Dorm Room Decorating Ideas
- A quick listing of all the Dorm Decor resources on this site. Bookmark this helpful page of article links and get to tips, ideas, sources for checklists, products, and dorm ideas. If you or someone you know is moving into a dorm you won't want to miss it!
- Dorm Decorating Ideas & Dorm Decor Tips
- Dorm Decorating Ideas and College living. Budget friendly tips for cheap dorm room decor and what to bring lists.
- College Life: Cheap Dorm Room Decorating Ideas
- Inexpensive and cheap college dorm room decorating ideas and tips. College Life & Living.
- Dorm room decorating tips - CNN.com
- College is a time for tremendous learning and personal growth. A time to make your own decisions and mistakes. Feel at home even when you're away. Nate Berkus shows you how to personalize and organize your dorm room -- without missing class!
- College dorm decorating ideas, dorm life tips - DormDelicious
- College dorm room decorating ideas for a delicious dorm life.
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DormDelicious provides dorm living advice, decorating ideas, and organization tips. Read about college dorm decorating projects, and g - Deccorating Dorm Rooms
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- Sherrie1 Sherrie1 May 21, 2009 @ 12:52 pm
- Nice lens! Well done! 5 Stars for U! Looking for more dorm and teen room decorating ideas? Check out Decorating Teen Bedrooms
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- Eric Eric Dec 16, 2007 @ 2:56 pm
- This guy has some great cartoons that would be perfect for dorm rooms. I bought a pack of these to give to my sister who is a freshman.
http://www.maxmeadcartoons.com
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- grannyann grannyann Nov 14, 2007 @ 10:12 am
- I hope you enjoy this site and I look forward to hearing your comments.
by grannyann
I am a retired civil servant, mother of two and grandmother of five. I am an assistant webmaster for family websites:
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