Eight things to do to make your dorm room yours

By Brenna Peters – Horizon Features Editor

The warm glow of fairy lights, lively plants, comfortable couches, and personalized decorations are just some of the things that make a perfect dorm room. They may start out plain and boring: bricks and blank white walls. But there are many things that you can do to put your personality into your room and make your living space feel more like home.

1.     Trade fluorescents for the warm glow of lamps: Lighting is a very important part of any room. Finding alternatives to the fluorescent lights can help your dorm room feel warmer and more welcoming. Fairy lights, flameless tea light candles, and small paper lanterns can give your room a cozy glow.

   

   
   

2.     Create a comfortable lounge area: Couches, futons, and cushioned chairs are a good option because they can be used for movies, studying, and socializing. Their many purposes make them worth the move because they also look nice as well. Jayden Banks, an RA, and his mod have a couch in their tiki style lounge that they use for socializing and relaxing.

   

   
   

3.     Choose decorations that showcase personality: Decorations are an important part of making your dorm room more your own, and they are even better when they are crazy or funny. For roommates Elizabeth Eichelberger and Anna Miller, that means a poster of a squirrel in underpants on their mini fridge.
   

   

   
   

4.     Make or buy art to brighten up your walls: Works of art are always a great way to decorate a room, whether it’s a painting or a sculpture of some kind. It especially adds a personal touch if it’s something that you made yourself. You can also buy art for less money from secondhand stores in Newton like the Et Cetera Shop and Layman’s Antique Mall and Flea Market.
   

   

   
   

5. Buy pillows or make them yourself: Pillows are a great way to add some personality to a room. They’re perfect for dorm rooms because they are both comfortable and cute. You can even make your own pillows with some pieces of fabric and some fabric paint.
   

   

    

6. Get a TV for your down time: A TV is a great addition to a dorm room, especially if you can get one for cheap. They’re great for watching movies and playing video games with friends. You can also get one used if you want to save some money.
   

   

    

7.     Use area rugs to cover the carpet in your room: Area rugs are a great way to add some color to your floor. They are a good way to add some personality to your room and come in many different styles. One place that they can be bought is at the Et Cetera Shop, where they are made out of scraps of fabric.
   

   

   
   

8. Grow plants to liven up your room: Plants are a great way to add some life to any room. Succulents and cacti do well with lots of light and they don’t need to be watered much. Ferns and ivy do better in lower light, although they do require a little more water.