tips | xanditwasallyellow

Something my roommate Elsa and I take great pride in is our superior natural talent for dorm decoration. Labelled from the beginning as The Cozy Cottage Pt. 2 (Elsa’s room last year was Pt. 1), our room is more than just a place to sleep and study. Instead, it’s become a refuge of sorts for the other girls on our floor, who often cross the threshold bearing arms full of homework, knitting, or whatever else they’d rather be doing in our cute and comfy pad than their bleak, depression-inducing cells. Entering, for many, is usually a much easier task than leaving.

From the meticulous application of floral burlap border, to the careful placement of each twine-hung, clothes-pinned photo, every laborious effort Elsa and I put into making our dorm the best dwelling it could be was well worth it. In our estimation, the Cozy Cottage is the finest room on the market, so when posters for a “Coolest Room Contest” started popping up all over campus, we knew our chances of winning had to be pretty high.

The top three rooms would receive a cash prize, photo shoot, and a room tour from the university TV station (fourth and fifth place would earn everything except the money), so a lot was on the line for winning this competition. Hours of preparation and countless iPhone photos later, Elsa and I were feeling especially confident in our pending submission.

And rightly so.

The Cozy Cottage received a stunning second place finish. The victors remain a mystery, but we still have no idea what room could’ve possibly outdone ours.

Whoever it is, I’d think I’d like to meet them. Or shake their hands perhaps.

But our own fame and glory aside, I (and I’m sure Elsa too) would like to leave everyone who either currently lives in the dorms or plans to do so in the future with some inside, room-enhancing advice.

To me and Elsa, dorm life is undeniably one of the greatest parts of the college experience. These four years make up the only time in our lives where we’ll have the opportunity to be surrounded by people, living in a community, and sharing a space—and perhaps a few other things—with one another. While this style of living is certainly both fun and unique, we know there are certain factors that separate a good dorm from an AMAZING dorm.

From our own personal experience, we’ve discovered that with a few simple tips and tricks, any student can turn their drab, rectangular abode into a cozy, comfortable, and welcoming place to live.

Beware of the bare floor: Nothing is more uninviting than waking up from a pleasant slumber and stepping onto cold, hard tile. Purchasing a good carpet or area rug will create a space that’s warmer, comfier, and more resembling of a home away from home.
NEVER use the overhead lights (a.k.a “hospital lights”): Be sure to invest in a variety of lamps, string lights, and other forms of illumination to avoid using the harsh overhead light. These alternative light sources will completely transform the character of the room, creating ambiance and an atmosphere that is altogether pleasing.
Avoid wall nakedness: Nobody is attracted to plain white walls. Any dorm room will benefit from a combination of pictures, posters, drawings, and—for the ultra-crafty—creations devised from clothespins, twine, and burlap.
Evade the stench: Living in a small, cramped space can often bring about a variety of undesirable odors. Since candles are not permitted in the residence halls, many choose to generate a pleasant-smelling environment with scented diffusion sticks, wax warmers, and even powdered carpet deodorizers.
Leave the door open: Dorm life means living with and around other people 24-7. The best way to get to know the other students who will be sharing the same showers and adhering to the same quiet hour policies is to be approachable and welcoming. Leaving the door open expresses excitement for living in community and encourages fellow floor mates to stop by for a chat.