5 Tips to Make Your Dorm Room Look Bigger
It’s a well-known fact that college dorm rooms tend to be on the small side. Sometimes it seems like there’s hardly enough space for the obligatory extra long twin bed, squeaky dresser, ancient desk, and uncomfortable chair, let alone your personal belongings. There are, however, a few simple measures you can take to address this issue. Here are five tips to make your dorm room look bigger:
1. Mirrors
You don’t have to be a physics major to know that placing mirrors in a small room creates an optical illusion of space and depth. One simple full-length mirror on a wall can make a world of difference. Additionally, if you prefer studying in the library, you can put your makeup and a medium-sized mirror on your desk and transform it into a vanity. Perfect for that sacred ritual of “getting ready to go out.”
2. Bed Risers
Increasing your bed height by 5-7 inches, risers are a must for the spatially-deprived. They free up much more space for under-bed storage containers and the other knick-knacks that just didn’t seem to have a place in the room. You can also add a bed skirt to cover the under-bed clutter and give the room a homier feel.
Tall Black Bed Lifts, $14.99, available at Bed Bath & Beyond
3. Lights
The fluorescent lighting in dorm rooms is notoriously awful, but there are a number of creative alternatives to this headache-inducing illumination. In addition to the straightforward desk and floor lamp options, white Christmas lights and paper lanterns can add brightness and therefore give the room a greater sense of space.
Gold Star Pendant Paper Lantern, $9.99, available at pbteen.com
4. Wall Décor
If you’re like most college students, then you probably have the urge to cover as much of the ugly cinderblock of your walls as possible. With posters, photos, magazine cutouts, or even original artwork, the sky’s the limit. Proceed with caution, however. For wall décor, stick with lighter colors or your room may end up feeling a bit cave-like.
5. Multipurpose Furniture
Beginning with the classic futon that can function as a couch or a bed, furniture that serves many purposes is a staple in the college dorm world. For example, a storage ottoman can provide extra seating and is a great place to store all of your…uhh….diet cokes?
Storage Ottoman, $28.92, available at dormco.com
In addition to these suggestions, there’s an even simpler method for making your dorm room seem bigger: clean it! Less clutter = more space. Oh and make your bed, too. It makes a difference.
Feature Image From: bedbathandbeyond.com
Category: Dorm Decor
