Many of us might be worried about how to make our dorm rooms feel bigger than they actually are. Being worried about having a limited amount of space and feeling claustrophobic can be overwhelming. Yet, moving into your first college dorm should be one of the most exciting and memorable moments in your life, and fearing limited living space shouldn’t ruin that. There are so many ways to make your dorm room not only feel bigger than it actually is, but to also make it a comfortable first home away from home.
Adding mirrors to any room is going to automatically make the area look bigger than it is. Purchasing a full-length mirror for your dorm will make the room feel bigger, and will also allow you to take those cute roommate pictures everyone wants. Getting mini mirrors and arranging them on the wall can also add to your room’s aesthetic and make it feel as though there’s more space than there actually is!
Living on campus usually means you will have a beautiful view of either the campus or a city. Being on campus is one of the things so many upperclassmen miss after moving out of their dorm. Taking in the views of your campus and/or city is a great part of dorm life to enjoy while you have it! Opening your blinds will not only make your dorm feel bigger, but it will also allow natural lighting into your room, which probably doesn’t have the best lighting options. It is one of the easiest ways to immediately make any space look bigger.
Chances are, you will either be sharing a bathroom with suitemates/a roommate, or you will have to use a community bathroom. If you share a bathroom with a few other people, your personal space will most likely be limited. Having a bathroom cart/organizer is a convenient way to fit everything you need in the bathroom in one spot, and can easily be moved around for extra space.
Closet space is incredibly limited in a college dorm. If you love buying new shoes, you might struggle to fit them all in your closet. Having a shoe rack or organizer will not only help keep your closet looking clean, but also help with the limited amount of space you are provided in a closet dorm. This will make finding the right shoe easy for that early morning class you might be running late for!
The odds of having enough space for everything you brought with you to college are pretty low. Storage baskets can fit nearly anywhere: under your bed, at the top of your closet, inside your closet, on your desk, and so on. You can buy inexpensive baskets and decorate them yourself, or spend a bit more on ones already decorated. These will help keep your room organized and feeling less cluttered.
Every dorm room comes with dressers, along with other furniture you need in your room. While it’s nice that most universities provide them, dressers can be inconvenient to move around in your limited space. They also are not always the most visually appealing furniture out there. Stacking them provides you with extra space that is very much needed in a dorm. You can put them under your bed or even use them as a TV stand.
When you first arrive on campus, chances are you won’t know too many people. In most dorms, people will keep their doors open in hopes of meeting their new neighbors. Not only is this a great way to meet people, but it’s also a great way to make your dorm feel bigger. Look around your hall and see if other people are opening their doors. It might feel odd doing this if no one else is, but it will help make your space feel bigger and invite conversation. Even if your neighbors have their doors shut, being the first person to do this might start a conversation!
Just about everyone overpacks for their first year away from home. It’s normal to not know what needs to stay at home and what actually belongs in a dorm. If you are going off to college far from home and the climate is entirely different from you’re used to, be aware of what clothes you will need to bring. The weather at some universities might only require about two jackets to get you through those random cold fronts while the weather at other universities might require a closet full of winter clothes. Being aware of what you actually need to bring with you will make a huge difference in your closet space.
This tip needs to be taken with a grain of salt. Some people may love having a lofted bed, while others may hate it. This is a fast way to make your dorm feel bigger because you now have all this extra space underneath your bed. It’s all about personal preference here. Lofting your bed will allow room for your desk and dressers underneath, which will leave you with more space in the rest of your room. You could even put a comfortable chair or mini couch under there to have more than your bed as a place to sit during the day.
Decorating your first dorm room is one of the most exciting things about shopping for college. Wall art is one of the simplest ways to make your dorm feel bigger and look a lot nicer than it did when you arrived. This is your way of personalizing the space and making it feel like home. You can add pictures from home, artwork, a tapestry, signs, or lettering. This will also provide a great distinction between you and your roommate’s side of the room. It adds a personal touch that won’t cost too much, and makes your dorm feel bigger than it is!
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