How can I decorate my dorm room?
Question:Hey, I'm off to college next fall and I'm wondering how i can possibly take a 10 by 12 box and make it a unique, liveable space. My style is kind of punky and I've seen lots of home decor that I like, but the problem is I don't have that big of a budget. Any suggestions as to where i can get some affordable stuff that's still decent quality and true to my style?
Answers:
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Chairs/Table/Ottoman: http://asc-lighting.stores.yahoo.net/pup...
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Rug: http://www.retroplanet.com/merchant2/mer...
Pillows: http://www.urbanoutfitters.com/shopping/...
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Decor: http://www.urbanoutfitters.com/shopping/...
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Throws: http://www.hottopic.com/hottopic/store/p...
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Try Ikea if there's on by you. they have cute cheap stuff.
The clearance aisle. The craft store. You can take a lamp with black-wire stem, and sew/glue on a beaded fringe that matches to make a freakin' awesome lamp. Buy posters. Those're cheap. Take your regular furnishings and spiff them up. We can't tell you how to make --your-- space. That's a personal decision. You know what you want. Look at what you have, and what it needs to give it that little edge that you like.
You'd be amazed at what you can do.
Before you dive into any projects, wait until you meet your roommate.
Even without a huge budget, there's a lot you can do. A friend of mine took her collection of Rolling Stone covers and put them on the wall.
Depending on where you do to school, you'll be able to nail (and use spakle at the end of the year) or if it's brick, you'll have to use tape.
Just remember to come up with ideas NOW, but don't go too crazy. You're going to have at least 3 months to get everything the way you like it.
Just make sure it's easy to move. Laminate everything you put up--it will make the take down process easier.
Target and Wallmart always have low budget accessories for your home decor. If you don't find anything there. Go to a craft store. I always get good ideas on thing in craft stores, even home decor.
i LOVE sticking photos all over my walls, even if i am not an amazing photographer. But it is free-ish because if you have a camera and printer already you are just paying for paper, ink and stuff to stick them with.
I also have a photocopy of my hand, but that was accident that turned out to be fantastic art and it makes my bedroom really personal.
I would paint it like a black or a brown something like that
You could go to Home Depot and look for Oops paint. They usually have gallons of paint they messed up usually they are really dark colors or really bright colors. There only like $5 a gallon and all you'd need was 1gal. so all you would need was a roller and brush. then I would check out some thrift stores they usually have really cool stuff for cheap. Then try a Wal-Mart or Target to look for bedding (Check the clearance isles) and curtains etc :)
Good Luck
go to those punky stores, and buy a few items, im sure your dorm room is small, usually they are, so try to stay with red and black, such you migth like that, but do not add too much stuff around cause you will run out space and not be able to have peace and able to sit and study in such crowd.
pick a few items that you migth like, also you can use pictures and you can use your creativity in the frames of your pictures, you make your self adding black and red boards in different shapes.
Try not make it look creepy cause your normal friends will get scare off, :)
go to contemporary furniture stores to buy a few items that you migth like to have in your bedroom, again do not add too much stuff around.
good luck
I'd suggest lofting your bed for the extra space, it really makes a difference, maybe even paint your loft to your liking. A futon is usually a must so friends can sleep over or if youa re too drunk to climb up the loft (make sure the loft if built long enough so the futon can fit under it). outside of that christmas/rope lights are always good and draps of your color choice. you'll see how your new friends have done theirs so you can combine ideas.
You don't need a huge budget to decorate a dorm room! There is a place I consider a miracle in the design industry for ANY budget! Go check out IKEA online at http://www.ikea.com This place has been a MIRACLE for designing my home and I'll have to say it is modern, my style and has been VERY afordable! Alot of the furniture is self assembly, but the textured fabrics, accessories and even their kitchen stuff is unique and wonderful quality. I bought 3 beds, futon matresses and custom fabricks for all three and spent less than $800 dollars on it all. Now my three sons have different bedrooms that are unique to their own styles and I'm not broke! I have bought so many things there, that was just my last big purchase. If you have an IKEA in your area I would suggest you go there to get an idea, if not DO check out the website, they are very helpful and afordable. BY FAR my favorite store for all my decorating needs. Think Peir One without the horrible prices!
Good luck with college!
What i would do is look up on the internet things that would suit your personality- find the one u like and take the ideas to a cheep store like Target or Walmart. they have alot of great things 4 really cheap!! plus the stuff they carry is based off of or given by those bigger stores!! hope this helped! ;D
Blacks, pinks and purples with lime green!
Try finding a duvet cover to cover the comforter you have they are usually cheaper, look on ebay, I found one that was tie dye from potterybarn and had been discontinued, but it made it lots cheaper.
For curtains, just find a cheap rod and drape fabric over it ove the length of the rod, you may need safety pins to hold it in place.
Pillows can be found at any mix and match and at discount store for as little as $5. Find a cute area rug then find a bean bag chair.
I know in my day you could take cinder blocks and 2x4's to make shelves and some place to put your TV or stereo on, you could also paint this to match your other stuff.
Try flea markets and garage sales for any furniture, just spend a couple of weekends,shopping and remember a little paint can make a lot of difference.
The loft idea mentioned earlier is a great idea. I had a wood loft built for my dorm and I covered it in fun contact paper to dress it up. I got TONS of compliments on it and had jealous floormates :-) For decorating ideas, look to what you love the most and let that inspire you. Black and white photos taken by you in frames from second hand stores painted to your liking add instant style that screams your personallity. YOU are your best decorator :-) Good Luck and Have Fun!
If you can, paint. If you can't paint, you could hang material like you would wallpaper just instead of wallpaper paste use liquid starch. When you leave just pull off the material and wash the starch off the wall. Practically any material would work although I've never used anything with a heavy texture.
Buy a couple funky lamps, they're always useful and can add a lot to the look of your room without a lot of cost. For cheap & easy curtains buy a couple of twin sized flat sheets (@ $3 at Walmart) in a bright color or pattern. At the top of the sheet where it has the larger fold, cut a vertical slit at each side, large enough to slide a curtain rod through. Put one sheet on each side and viola' curtains for less than $10. Go to garage sales this summer and see what you can find. Mirrors, lamps, shelf organizers and small filing cabinets are all good things to look for. If you have two 2drawer filing cabinets that are the same hight, you could pick up an old door and paint them. Put the door over top of the cabinets for a computer desk. Run your cords down through the doorknob hole to keep them all together. There are tons of things you can do on a tight budget just be creative and try looking at things to get multiple uses out of them, you'll need to due to your lack of space. Like a trunk or large wooden box for instance could be used for storage and double as an extra seat for your friends. Old plastic soda/milk crates are great for stacking on their side and using in your closet for shelves or for books they are also helpful when it comes time for moving and can be used upside down in a pinch for a step stool or even a seat. Keep your eyes open and use your imagination and you'll have an awesome and comfy room! Good luck and congratulations on going off to school!
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