It can be disorienting to move into a dorm room. You have limited space and you know it’s only temporary, so settling in and feeling comfortable can feel overwhelming. Even so, there are many ways to personalize your dorm room and make it feel like an extension of home and familiarity.
Decorate your bed
Most dorm rooms are small and there likely isn’t a lot of room for extra furniture. This means your bed will be the main focus of the room, so my advice is to adorn your bed and make it look visually appealing. Whether that’s with a patterned comforter, colorful accent pillows or cute stuffed animals, having a beautifully decorated bed can be a great way to cozy up your dorm room.
Lighting
Lighting is also an essential aspect of comfort in a dorm room. An overhead light can often feel sterile and overpowering, so it is a good idea to instead implement some softer mood lighting throughout the room. This can be achieved through desk lamps, fairy lights and sunset lamps. Personalized lighting will give your room a cozier vibe, making it ideal for both studying and relaxing.
Scents
Another great way to personalize a dorm room is to fill it with a comforting scent. Although IU residence halls do not allow candles, it is still possible to make your room smell good while abiding by the rules. Room sprays, air fresheners and diffusers are an easy and safe way to achieve this. Many scents even have air fresheners that can be plugged into your wall.
Wall decor
Adding personal touches through wall decor is perhaps the most essential aspect of creating a comforting dorm environment. Decorate with posters of your favorite musicians, photos with your friends or a calendar with your day-to-day schedule; these are all small decorations that speak to your interests and who you are as a person. Personally, the photos of my friends and family above my desk really brought some comfort to my freshman year dorm. Wall decor can truly make a difference in bringing some of your personality into your dorm room.
It is important to make the absolute most out of the limited space your dorm room provides. Although it may feel unfamiliar at first, it is absolutely possible to make your dorm feel like home.
This article was originally published in the Housing & Living Guide, an IDS special publication.
