Decorating a College Dorm Room Cheaply With Class

Jun 8, 2010
Therese Haberman

What NOT to Do to a Dorm - D. Collucio

Often, the dorm decorations are the very last thing to pay for after tuition, books and fees are covered. Here are tips for a shopper with low cash flow.

Heading off to college for the first time is an exciting adventure. Most students are ready to leave the football sheets and Barbie doll collection behind to opt for a more styling crib in the dorm, but cash reserves are down to a few hundred dollars or less. How to make a decorating impact without paying decorator prices is much easier than choosing a major.

Good Times at Goodwill Stores for Dorm Decorating

Some big city Goodwill or second hand stores are terrific and well stocked. However, heading over to an affluent town with a store like this is the better bet. One could easily find a great lamp, a reupholstered reading chair or inexpensive small tables at a store like this.

It is usually best to buy linens new, including curtains, since an alert shopper can find good quality at cheap prices. The second hand store might also offer flatware, plates and other necessary kitchen supplies, which could save hundreds of dollars off purchasing these items new.

Controlled Color for a Dynamic Dorm Room

Stick with a color scheme that ties together well. Two major colors with one strong accent is a good plan. Brown and blue with a bright green accent can be very relaxing. Or, pastels that blend together will give the room an airy feel. Too much crazy color can be exhausting to look at for long time periods.

Keep in mind that color can always be added to the room with accent pieces like throw pillows or a bedspread. Work with neutrals as a base and add an accent color that can be changed later on by replacing inexpensive pillow coverings.

Using the wall space, more color, texture and interest can be added to the scheme, but in a smaller space, which will be less jarring. For inexpensive wall coverings, try Allposters. Other great places to find inexpensive pictures include the Christmas Tree Shop, Marshall's and HomeGoods stores.

Keep the Dorm Space Simple and Elegant

Thinking in terms of "must haves" instead of "wants" makes sense for starting a dorm decoration scheme. A comfortable reading chair with ottman and lamp may be the only furniture needed beyond the supplied bed, bureau and desk. Minimize clutter whenever possible to make cleaning quick and easy. Leave the stuffed bunny collection at Mom's place.

A great source for linens and other soft goods where the prices are very reasonable is Domestications. Target and Walmart also have frequent sales on these products, but be sure to buy the best quality linens possible, since they will last much longer.

Plants are a lovely way to brighten up the room and refresh the air. Avoid huge floor plants and trees unless the space happens to be unusually large, which is obviously not typical of a dorm room. Window treatments can be made from yards of raw material purchased at a fabric store. Draping the material on rods can look both elegant and polished when done right.

Be sure to consult with roommates before finalizing any purchases. Any effort to make the room look elegant and sparse will be thwarted when she shows up with her collection of teen posters and teddy bears. Try to find some common ground on ideas and proceed accordingly. It is more important to have a good relationship with a roommate than to maintain a trumped-out crib with lots of style swagger.

In summary, start with conversing with roommates on styles and colors. Goodwill or second hand stores are the best value for furniture. Invest in good linens on sale keeping a controlled color scheme in mind for the room. Plants are pretty in the right proportion and wall coverings are easy to find on sale. Mirrors are a great option since they add the illusion of roominess. Have fun and enjoy the new digs.