College Jolt

Dinky dorm rooms saturate the living quarters of colleges around the world. A cramped space can seriously cramp your style. If you want to make the most of your teeny tiny room, read on.

4. Utilize vertical space
Sometimes there is nowhere to go but up! If you run out of floor space in your tight living quarters, why not utilize the wall space? Emphasis on high ceilings can make a small space seem much larger.

Bring the eye up by displaying your favorite art at various heights. Keep balance in mind, but the goal is to keep the eye moving up. Also, you can really make the most of this space by installing a shelf and use the wall for storage and display! (Although proceed with caution; some RAs may not be overjoyed to discover the massive craters left behind when the shelf comes down.)

3. Lighting is Key
Feeling like a rabbit in headlights in your own room? Harsh lighting is about as pleasant as Aisle 7 at Wal-Mart. The hash lighting that’s often built into dorm rooms everywhere will make your room seem more small, stark, and artificial. Make your room feel less like a mega-mart and more like a home by adding some soft lighting.

 A couple of lamps equipped with lampshades to soften the light will add a cozy feel to your décor. You can even get a lamp with a dimmer and adjust accordingly. If you insist on using the harsh overhead lighting, adding plants to your space will help to counteract this artificial/stark effect.

2. Keep it Simple, Stupid
A cluttered room is a claustrophobic room. Diminish chaos and keep it simple, stupid. A small room will seem much smaller if it’s filled to the brim with “stuff.” Your room will also look much bigger if you decorate with unity and consistency. Give your eyes a break and create some harmony in your room. Think of your room as a whole when choosing décor for your space.

So keep it simple. One main focal point is all you need. Competing visuals can lead to chaos. Things don’t have to match perfectly, but they should at least “go” together. A choppy/mismatched room breaks up the room and makes it look smaller. To make your space seem larger and more harmonious, use colors that go together throughout the space. Keep your space tidy because any mess in a small room will be quite obvious.

1.Storage, storage, storage
Never underestimate the power of storage. In a small room, anything lying around becomes clutter. Too much “stuff” can lead to eyesores and headaches. Fix this by getting some great storage. 

Get a few bins to hide all that extra junk you need: the can opener, the laundry sheets, the tangled ball of wires from who knows what—you know, those not-quite-daily essentials. Expand your closet space by getting some drawers for under the bed. Get whatever it takes to get the clutter out of your sight and into some sleek storage. Display your favorite items but put away the clutter. You’re new space will be refreshed and your aching eyes will thank you greatly.

***How do you deck out your dorm? If you have a cool setup, leave a comment and tell us about it!***