Living on your own for the first time can be intimidating, but it also gives you the opportunity to experiment with your own personal style. Turning a room that resembles a prison cell into a place to call home for the next year may seem impossible, but it’s surprisingly simple. The key to feeling at home, however, isn’t in the decorations – it’s in the atmosphere you create and in the relationships you form.
1. Bring pictures of family and friends from home
This is the most obvious tip, but many people don’t bring pictures because they have everything saved to their phone or computer. Or sometimes they just feel embarrassed of how they look in the picture. Having pictures in your room will not only remind you of home, it will also allow your new friends to see the people who matter to you.
2. Reminders of home will also make you feel more at ease
Maybe it’s that old quilt that your grandparents got you for Christmas, or it’s the stuffed bear you used to sleep with every night, or even your parent’s record player that you’ve secretly always loved. Whatever it is, you know that deep down inside, you can’t leave home without it. As cliche as it is, having a security item will make you feel closer to home.
3. Don’t turn your dorm into a replica of your room at home
While you shouldn’t go out and replace everything you already own, you shouldn’t try to replicate your old room. No matter how hard you try, it just won’t feel the same. Use this as an opportunity to reinvent yourself by mixing new and old pieces.
4. Study in the lounges, not your room
One of the most difficult things about living in a dorm room is that you only have one room to do everything: eat, sleep, work, hang out with friends, the list goes on. It’s easy to feel trapped within the concrete walls – venture out into the lounges if you need a new environment. The spaces are meant for studying. Your room should feel like home, not a classroom.
5. Bring life to the room
Many students choose to buy plants or a pet fish to liven up their rooms. Plants act as natural humidifiers, which make them great to keep in your room, as the dorms tend to get stuffy. Having something to take care of will not only give you a small responsibility, it will also create a more relaxed environment.
6. Customize your decor
Chances are pretty high that everyone chose the same basic pieces that were on the packing list. Make these pieces your own by customizing the standard storage bins with washi tape, paint or stickers. Personalizing your belongings allows you to express your creative side, and you will not run the risk of getting things mixed up with your roommate.
7. Don’t worry about making the room look perfect
Pinterest is great for room inspiration – but don’t expect your room to look perfect. We all love those dorm pins with the Christmas lights and monogrammed bed sets, but maintaining a picture-perfect room is impossible in college. Things will be messy, so you might as well embrace a more laid-back aesthetic.
8. Cover as much wall space as possible
Hanging posters, pictures or tapestries can help to break up the dull concrete walls. Cover up as much as you can without making the room look cluttered. This helps to eliminate negative space, and reflect your interests at the same time.
9. Bring your own lighting
This is something that most people don’t consider, but it makes a world of difference. Think of it this way – you could live under harsh fluorescent lights, or you could have string lights and a lamp that you would be able to adjust on your own terms. Do you really want to feel like you’re in a doctor’s office all the time?
10. Get to know your ‘neighbors’
Just like at home, you will be living next door to people that you may not know. One of the best parts of living in a residence hall is getting to know the people on your floor. You may not know it just yet, but you could be rooming right next to your future best friend. Meeting new people may seem scary, but everyone is in the same situation when they move into a dorm for the first time. Forming close relationships with the people around you will make you feel at home, even if you are a million miles away from home.
