Dorm decor 101
By
Blake Eligh • Bankrate.com
Buttigieg suggests students buy an inexpensive portable plastic tote and use hanging files labelled by subject to organize their papers. "If you file it as you get it, there's no mess and you can find it when you need it."
Cardboard magazine files are another great way to hide papers while adding a hint of colour to your room, says Buttigieg. "Keep them on a shelf, and once they are full, start recycling the old magazines."
Zone out
"Creating zones makes it easy to put things away," says Buttigieg. "If you put things down 'just for now,' piles grow, and before you know it, it's an overwhelming mess."
She suggests mapping out separate zones for doing homework, which would include a desk, computer and office supplies, and for dressing, which would include clothes, shoes and accessories.
Save space
Working with an average-sized dorm room size, which is about 120 square feet, floor space is at a premium, but Buttigieg says that there is plenty of "found" space to be had -- under beds, inside closets and behind doors. With plastic bins or pull-out drawers, the space under the bed can be reclaimed for bulky items like winter sweaters or extra bedding.
Chris Rogerson, assistant director of residence life at Simon Fraser University, in Burnaby, BC, has seen students rearrange single beds to make bunk beds and tuck a desk or seating area beneath them. He adds that small, multi-functional furniture is also a good bet for saving space. "It's a good idea to bring a storage ottoman," he says. "It serves as a place for your friend to sit, but you also have a place to put your textbooks or your extra blanket for winter."
According to Rogerson, personal tech gadgets are another popular space-saver. "You can download television programs and watch them on your iPod or your computer instead of investing in a TV," he says. "And many universities have podcasts of lectures."
Holden and her roommate saved on cable by not having a TV. They caught shows in the common room or watched movies downloaded to their computers on the university-provided internet connection. Holden also forwent her home stereo, relying instead on her computer or MP3 player for music.
Budget crunch
While Buttigieg suggests scouring department stores and dollar stores for inexpensive bins and drawer dividers, Crawford recommends foraging at discount stores like HomeSense and Winners for linens and accessories. Ikea, he says, is the design default, but adds that Umbra products are also hip and affordable.
"Focus on the room first and make sure what you have in the main space is cleanable and dirt cheap. Realistically, you're going to buy something inexpensive that will last you for just a little while," Crawford says. "You want to invest very little money for a year or two of living well."
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