Home Sweet Dorm Make It Homey!

Transforming The Dorm Space To Look Homey.

Don’t be alarmed on move-in day when you walk into your student’s bare and cold dorm room. It’s amazing how quickly this space can change with a little planning and some trips to Bed Bath & Beyond, Target, and Walmart.

The key to transforming the dorm space into something a little homier is preplanning. Pinterest alone has enough ideas to make your head spin. Of course, decorating for a girl’s room is drastically different from a boy, but both will need a little extra organization. Either way, check the size bed their dorm will provide. FAU’S freshman Resident halls (Heritage Park, Glades Park, and Parliament hall) offer twin extra long beds. The beds in Parliament hall are lofted with the desk underneath, Keep this in mind before purchasing bed risers or organization items. The remainder of the Resident halls (upperclassmen) all have twin extra long beds as well, with the exception of Innovation Village. The rooms in Innovation Village have double beds.

Over the summer, the stores’ shelves will begin to fill up with sections specifically for college dorm life. Here you will be able to easily find many organizational options and sheet sets in twin extra long.  The bed-in-a-bag can be a great choice as it provides many pieces at once. In addition, we highly recommend a mattress encasement. It protects from bugs, allergies, and who knows what else. A mattress topper is a must; the beds can be rather thin. The topper will make the place they spend much of their time more comfortable.

Consider buying bed risers as they can give students extra storage space under their bed. Remember, if your student’s dorm is Parliament hall, these beds are already lofted. Some kids like to put a mini-fridge under there too. The freshman dorms at FAU do not provide mini-fridges, however, students are permitted to bring them. Check out TECH-U in the student union, they offer mini-fridge and microwave rentals. The plastic container drawers are super popular in the dorms. They fit under the beds and have a lot of storage. Recently we came across Dorm Room Bed Skirt Panels which are long and can cover all the junk that ends up getting stored below the bed.

It’s Fun!

There are fun ottomans that provide both storage and extra seating space for when their friends come to hang out. Students usually have space for a comfortable chair. There are clever little shelves that attach to the side of the bed that are rather useful to hold their phone, glasses, drinks, etc.

Most girls really like to fully decorate the space. My daughter and her friends went Pinterest crazy over the summer, but it really turned their dorms into a comfortable and inviting space. If possible suggest they check with their roommate before you begin your multiple trips to Bed, Bath and Beyond, etc. (Did I mention that you should start collecting those coupons now?) Together they may decide on specific colors or a theme. Another great place to get ideas (and shop) is Tapestry Girls, a one-stop-shop for small space decorating and inspiration designed for fashion and budget-minded. Visit Tapestry Girls today and use code HAVEUHEARD at checkout for an additional $5 off any order.

Lately, covering the walls in big tapestries is the rage. It is actually a great idea to bring some color into the room.  You cannot put any holes in the walls, this also makes it difficult to hang things, but no worries; because Command hooks have you covered. HaveUHeard that you need to apply rubbing alcohol first before hanging the command strip or it won’t adhere? Area rugs also warm up a room and bring in some color, particularly since the floors are all cold tile. If they know their roommate’s name, a custom dorm room sign is a great way to make them feel at home.

Another popular item is string lights. You’ll want to buy a tension rod and a curtain for the closet. The closets in the dorms do not have doors, so a curtain is a great substitute door to hide clothes, shoes, or any disorganization that may occur there. The curtain on the closet can also be another great way to bring some color into the dorm.

FAU offers virtual tours of their on-campus dorms; you can find a video of the residence halls. There are different kinds of dorms throughout campus ranging from suite to corridor to apartment-style.  When you find out which dorm your student will be living in, you can check out the floor plans as well as get an idea of what FAU Housing supplies.

The Guys Too!

I haven’t forgotten our sons; there just isn’t as much to say. Basically, they will need the same essentials, but as far as décor goes, most boys are happy with a poster or two and possibly a flag or banner. Owl paraphernalia is usually a hit too. The best advice that was given to me was to start shopping early. Your student will have the most options to choose from and you’ll be able to get everything you need. Another great tip is to order from your local store and have the items available for pick up when you arrive in Boca Raton.

Don’t forget the cleaning supplies. While we’d like to say our students will keep their space clean, at least if we give them supplies, we may have a fighting chance. For our complete list of the top items they need for college. And, if you want to get an idea of what each dorm is like, make sure you check out our Insider’s Guide to Campus Dorm Living.

Pass on these great tips, tell your friends and like us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Pinterest. Find out more about how to use HaveUHeard as a great resource. Sign up for other great tips at haveuheard.com.