How to Spiff Up Your Kid’s Dorm Room

Indulge your college student with a rug and down pillows in colorful and cheery colors. After spending a fortune on tuition, books, and clothes, you may not feel inclined to indulge your college student with lavish dorm furnishings. At the same time, the drab confines of a college dorm can have a detrimental effect on your child’s mood and study habits. Spiffing up a tiny space that’s often no bigger than your walk-in closet at home can be challenging and fun — and it doesn’t have to break your budget.

Start with the floor. A brightly colored area rug can define the space and set the tone for the entire room. Rug&Home carries a wide range of inexpensive shag rugs in a wide range of colors and styles that will be a joy to step onto each morning while redirecting the eye away from the other, less desirable aspects of the space — like its size. The first thing you see when you enter a room is its floor; the twin beds and cramped desk space seem more pleasant when set against a Rugs with teen-style and a reasonable price point make it easy to add color and design to a dorm room.[/caption] charmingly creative canvas. Go with a 5x8-foot rug to fill the small space in the center of the room or cover the entire floor with a room-size rug that lies under the beds and desks. You may be stuck with an odd-sized space that won’t accommodate a standard 8x10 or 10x13-foot rug. If that’s the case, you can pick up several smaller area rugs you can set side-by-side in the room. Contemporary patterns (such as bright florals) can blend easily with each other while completely covering the entire space. Tack them to the floor with duct tape to keep them in place.

Once you’ve landed on a color scheme for the floor, use available wall space to add personality to the room. Aim a full-length wall mirror at a focal point in the room to give the impression of increased depth. If there’s a decent view from a window, for example, place the mirror on the opposite wall to bring additional sunshine into the space. While mirrors are an ideal way to make a room look larger, make sure you leave room for favorite posters, quotes, and soothing artwork. To help your student study into the night, don’t forget to supply some extra lighting. Floor lamps and wall sconces take up less space in the cramped room and can usually be angled to improve the atmosphere and provide the best line-of-sight. We don’t recommend cluttering up valuable tabletop space with desk lamps. Additional lighting, placed strategically behind an open bookcase or wall unit, can dramatically increase the appearance of space in the room.

Finally, give special attention to bedding so that your student feels comfortable while living in a home away from home. We recommend accoutrements that serve double duty. Feather down comforters and luxurious pillows provide a cozy sleeping experience so your student is well rested each day. A soft, welcoming bed may be most appreciated as a haven from the stressful world of exams, homework, and social commitments.