So, it’s move-in day. You finally get your key and get to your new home, but as you begin to unpack, you look around at the bed, dressers and desk and have no idea what to do. Loft the bed? Desk by the window? Television by the bed or couch? Everyone living in a dorm has been there. It can definitely be overwhelming at first, but below are a few tips to help make things easier.
Coordinate with your roommate(s)
First of all, you’ll want to coordinate with your roommate. Having a roommate makes dorm reorganization simultaneously easier and harder, depending on if you and your roommate are in agreement or disagreement with how things will get done. Talk to them about where to move things and how to organize and set up the room and what to buy for the room. You don’t want to end up with two microwaves and two refrigerators. Best case scenario is you each get your side of the room set up how you’d like with minimal disagreement and compromises that won’t irritate the both of you.
Organizing your space
The biggest problem with dorm set-up comes when you have your own room to decorate and organize. Especially now with the pandemic, we’re spending a lot of time in our rooms and a lot of time on Zoom. You don’t want your whole biology class to see your room behind you and think, “Yikes.” To avoid this embarrassment and help create a space that will inspire and motivate you to work hard, you’ll want to do a few different things.
If you like natural light and having a nice view, try setting up your desk next to or in front of a window. The only problem with this is that the amount of sunlight can overexpose you and wash you out on a Zoom call, so make sure you have blinds or curtains you can shut to avoid looking like a glowing beacon during your online classes.
To stay organized, hang up a whiteboard or calendar next to your desk to write down assignments, to-do lists and other goals. Silverware drawer organizers also fit in desk drawers and work excellently for keeping various office supplies separate and tidy. It also doesn’t hurt to have a few photos or mementos hung up around your desk to help comfort you when things get a bit stressful.
Another thing: make sure you stock up on extension cords and power strips. You can’t always move furniture into your ideal location and have easy access to wall outlets, unfortunately.
Decorate your space
As for lounging areas like living rooms or even bedrooms, cute throw pillows, blankets and other various wall-hangings and lights can make the space feel much cozier and comforting. It may seem pointless to buy and put up all these extra items just to be taken down in a few months, but the difference in atmosphere is astronomical. After a long day of classes, you’ll want to have a nice and comfortable space to chill, not a cold and blank room that does nothing but remind you of how harsh reality can be at times — unless you prefer it that way. In that case, save your money. A few great places for cute, unique and low price decorations and other furniture items are Ikea, Target, Walmart, Ross and TJ Maxx. All of these stores have convenient locations near NSU.
In the end, it’s up to you to decorate and set up your dorm however you’d like. Your dorm is your home away from home, and you’ll want to set it up however will keep you comfortable. The simplest way to go about it is by choosing a color scheme or aesthetic you really enjoy and just going for it. Always keep in mind that, even if you don’t like your initial dorm space, you can change it up by moving furniture around and buying new decorations. Life is short, redecorate your dorm as often as you like.
