2008 Woodie Awards
Decorate your room on a college budget
Lacy Karosic
Issue date: 1/25/05 Section: Features
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Yes, it is possible to safely decorate a dorm room or apartment creatively while on a typical college studentʼs budget. All that is needed are the three basic elements of room design: lighting, window treatments, and wall treatments.
Lighting adds ambiance and personality, be it cozy or posh. Window treatments soften hard edges as well as provide privacy or shade. To add contrast and break up extensive blank space, wall treatments are essential. Lighting is very important especially, in cell-block dorms or sterile, hospital-like apartments, as it can change the atmosphere entirely.
Luckily there are simple, cheap solutions. If that harsh white bulb in a lamp is giving off the dentist office vibe, replace it with a colored bulb; orange for example, exudes a firelike glow. Voila - instant coziness. Places like IKEA and Target offer a lot in cheap home décor that will last through the college years and wonʼt break your budget.
Hanging paper lantern lights not only illuminates a room, but can emanate color and function as wall décor. If hung from the ceiling in a corner in conjunction with another lamp at a different height and shape, they prevent the room from taking on a box shape and soften the sharp corner.
Some apartments and dorms allow residents one strand of Christmas lights - the key is to use that one strand wisely. Instead of using traditional strands of blinking colored or white lights, look into a strand that could complement the style of the room. At Target stores, a variety of strand lights are available.
They range from bulbs to paper lantern strands. During daylight hours, lights can look tacky unlit, so be sure to purchase a string of lights that will also look good simply hanging as decoration. These also act as window treatments when placed appropriately. When it comes to curtains, spending a lot of money isnʼt needed to improve the room. Buy sheer panels of a solid color that complements the room for an inexpensive softening of a window. If the room has numerous windows and there isnʼt money for curtains for all, consider purchasing two panels for every two windows.
Lighting adds ambiance and personality, be it cozy or posh. Window treatments soften hard edges as well as provide privacy or shade. To add contrast and break up extensive blank space, wall treatments are essential. Lighting is very important especially, in cell-block dorms or sterile, hospital-like apartments, as it can change the atmosphere entirely.
Luckily there are simple, cheap solutions. If that harsh white bulb in a lamp is giving off the dentist office vibe, replace it with a colored bulb; orange for example, exudes a firelike glow. Voila - instant coziness. Places like IKEA and Target offer a lot in cheap home décor that will last through the college years and wonʼt break your budget.
Hanging paper lantern lights not only illuminates a room, but can emanate color and function as wall décor. If hung from the ceiling in a corner in conjunction with another lamp at a different height and shape, they prevent the room from taking on a box shape and soften the sharp corner.
Some apartments and dorms allow residents one strand of Christmas lights - the key is to use that one strand wisely. Instead of using traditional strands of blinking colored or white lights, look into a strand that could complement the style of the room. At Target stores, a variety of strand lights are available.
They range from bulbs to paper lantern strands. During daylight hours, lights can look tacky unlit, so be sure to purchase a string of lights that will also look good simply hanging as decoration. These also act as window treatments when placed appropriately. When it comes to curtains, spending a lot of money isnʼt needed to improve the room. Buy sheer panels of a solid color that complements the room for an inexpensive softening of a window. If the room has numerous windows and there isnʼt money for curtains for all, consider purchasing two panels for every two windows.
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