Now, most people aren't lucky enough to get one of the few private dorm rooms available in some halls, so you'll likely be sharing a space with at least one other student. What this means, is that you'll have to be mindful of your roommate's space while still making the most of your own. And frankly - during my years of undergraduate and graduate school, I got pretty good at choosing dorm room d'cor that was functional and stylish (if I do say so myself).
Some of my best dorm room decorating tips include:
"Building a frame that fits along all four walls (top and bottom) and affixing a neutral(ish) fabric to the frame with a staple gun. This helps to soften the institutional look of a dorm room and act as paint when painting isn't allowed. (Obviously before you try this dorm room decorating tip, you'll want to get your roommate's buy off on the fabric.) "Animals aren't typically allowed in dorm rooms, but having something alive in a room can help make your space feel more like home. So decorate your dorm room with a couple of well-chosen, easy-to-care-for plants, such as succulents. They don't require a lot of attention, but they do give your space a lot of life. "Getting a soft, colorful rug that takes up a fair amount of space can help warm up the cold look of most dorm rooms. "Take dorm room decorating to the next level with easy-to-install closet organizers, under-the-bed drawers on wheels, and stackable boxes that can sit on your shelves or desk to keep your small things organized. "Head to your bookstore or shop the online bookstore for school-themed accessories to decorate your dorm room. They'll usually have a host of blankets, clocks, picture frames and towels to give you the functionality you need and add a little color and spirit to your space. One great idea - use logo glasses or mugs to hold your pens and pencils - then if you find you need an extra cup, you can simply put the pens aside. "If you have the space, buy a small microwave cart and put it in an unused corner. With the cart, you can store your dishes beneath the microwave and keep all of your cooking gear in one place.
One good thing about living in a dorm room these days (as opposed to when I was doing it just a few short years ago) is that dorm room d'cor has really come a long way. Luckily, living in small spaces - and doing the most with what you have - is so en vogue right now that there are even shows devoted to the subject on cable. So before you move from the comfort of your parents' home into a less-than-spacious dorm room, do some browsing, check out the wares at your bookstore, then settle in front of the TV for more tips on making the most of your small space.
After shopping for all the essentials, you have checked into your dorm room for your first year on campus. The school has provided some basic furniture like a bed and some drawer or closet space. Checking out the mattress you notice several things. The most obvious is that it is not very comfortable, it has been used and the mattress looks longer than a standard twin. Welcome to the world of college dorm room beds.
Fortunately the bed sheets your parents purchased are made for a tall mattress. They knew that the average dorm room bed is a tall twin size. Five inches longer than standard twin size mattress those bed sheets you spotted at a bargain store would not have fit. With a proper fit and a thread count of two hundred, your new bed sheets should last through your freshman year.
Bed sheets made for tall twin size mattresses will fit right and feel right. An important factor in buying bed sheets for your dorm room bed is the thread count, which should be at least 200. The higher the thread count, the softer and more durable the fabric will be. Thread count is measured by the number of thread per square inch.
This leaves the issue of comfort and providing yourself with a safe and sanitary sleeping environment. A used mattress can be a haven for dust mites, dander and dust which have been linked to asthma and other respiratory ailments.
College Dorm Beds, Dust Mites and Mattress Covers
The infamous dust mite can be found almost anywhere. Your college dorm room bed is common place for dust mites to breed. As we perspire and even breathe, our bodies give off moisture which is absorbed by bed sheets and pillow cases. In fact, the number of dead skin cells we lose everyday is enough to sustain one million of these microscopic pests. Other sources include any organic matter that accumulates in ordinary household dust. In other words, our living environments provide a veritable smorgasbord for the pesky dust mite.
These tiny pests are responsible for a host of respiratory ailments including asthma and allergies. Dust mites can find a cozy home in almost piece of upholstered dorm room furniture and even carpeting. Dust mites are prolific breeders and like a warm, humid environment which makes them particularly comfortable in your dorm room bedding.
An effective solution is to use a mattress cover. Different from a mattress pad, a mattress cover completely encases your mattress. Many mattress covers are hypoallergenic and machine washable. There are mattress covers designed to fit a tall twin dorm bed mattress. As with any bedding purchase, avoid choosing a mattress cover on price alone. Since it will be more durable, a quality mattress cover will save you money in the long run.
Using a mattress cover is always a good idea whether a mattress is new or is the typical dorm room mattress.
Adding Comfort with a Mattress Pad
Your college dorm room mattress could be several years old and may not be very comfortable. One solution is a quilted mattress pad. A quality mattress pad should be washable with a good fit. Again, this means finding a mattress pad designed to fit a tall or extra long mattress.
Avoid buying a cheap quilted mattress pad since it may not fit right and will not be as durable. Always read the manufacturers fabric care label to make sure the mattress pad is machine washable. Covers made from one hundred percent cotton or cotton polyester blends have the right combination of easy care, durability and comfort.
Both Janine Oneal & Mitch Endick are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
Janine Oneal has sinced written about articles on various topics from Software, Gift Ideas and Computers and The Internet. Janine O'Neal has been both a university bookstore manager - and a university student - giving her a unique perspective on everything related to campus life. Today, she writes online articles to help college students learn how to work the system to t. Janine Oneal's top article generates over 4400 views. to your Favourites.
Mitch Endick has sinced written about articles on various topics from Home, Puppies Dogs and Education. Mitch Endick is a staff writer for the quality online store . Shop for fine quality. Mitch Endick's top article generates over 246000 views. to your Favourites.