Stylish Dorm Room on a Budget

Are you heading off to University? Will the next few years of your life be contained within a dorm room or a small apartment off campus? Stop fretting because this article will show you how you can have a budget friendly stylish space.

First, determine your budget and stick to it. Shop big box and discount stores such as Homesense where items are often at a 20-60% discount. Do not forget about online sites such as Craigslist and Kijiji. You can find quality items online that people no longer want.

When choosing furniture, think multifunctional. A great example is a captain style bed with drawers. With storage underneath it eliminates the need for a dresser; thus, saving space and your pocketbook. For storage, pick up some plastic rolling storage units and baskets.

You will want to entertain friends in your room so think about seating options. Of course a desk chair is a given. Consider a couple of storage ottomans and if your bed is up against the wall and it isn't too deep, you can easily convert it into a daybed by placing pillows along the back wall.

Use ambient lighting- lamps and small lights with low wattage bulbs. These can be kept on while you are away and it is more welcoming than coming back to a dark room.

Keep the color palette neutral. Bring hits of color in with drapes, rugs and accessories. These are items that can be inexpensively replaced with the changing trends. Do not overuse pattern in a small space and do buy items proportionate to the size of your room.

Do not permanently attach things to the walls. Use picture hangers by 3M or sticky tack or have a free standing bookshelf to display items.

I wish all the students a great year and enjoy your new space.

I'm Marsha, owner of Marsha Sefcik Interiors, and I am a design and home styling expert inspired by organic East coast living; eco-friendly products; and beautiful or eclectic reused, re-purposed and recycled objects and furnishings.