by Jennifer Vensel

Created on: February 04, 2009   Last Updated: August 07, 2011

Comfort and inexpensive. When it comes to decorating your dorm room, comfort and inexpensive may be two ideas to think about. At first, college is a gigantic unknown city of new experiences that are fun, but sometimes stressful. Filling your dorm room with furniture, color and styles that make you feel at home can create a place of peace from the sprawling craziness of college life.

Don't worry a minute what anyone else thinks. If you like Hello Kitty and the Jonas Brothers, put those posters up and throw the stuffed animals on the bed. If your style is more conservative like plaid and burgundy, go for it! You have to have a starting point to grow from. So express yourself, and you will make friends.

You may want to think about buying bargain items like sheets, furniture and desks. Dorm means sharing, and you probably don't want to bring anything you're not willing to lose into a dorm. There are other kids going in and out of your room all the time. You cannot monitor your roommate's friends, so maybe leave the brand name things for your parents' home. Ikea, Target, Wal-Mart, or even thrift stores are great places to find bargain furniture. Sometimes it is better to look at your dorm room. Kind of judge what you need. Buy sparingly at first, and then spend as you need during the first semester.

Keep it simple; you don't have a lot of time anyway to be worrying about your dorm room. Either you will be partying or studying, and if you're smart, you'll make time for both. You don't want anything getting in your way of going to the bathroom quickly when you get up too late for class. Also, you don't want to hit anything when you meet that great guy you've dated for a while, of course, and you have finally started the kiss of your dreams. A simple nightstand and a desk, if there is not already one in there, is probably all you'll need. Plus, some extra lamps - the light helps you stay awake. A coffee maker of the bargain kind will do, and a little station for your mp3 or ipod. Everything else is just a waste of money.

College is a time like no other. It is worth making something of your space in your dorm room. Do everyone a favor and don't exceed your space unless you have prior agreement with your roommates that the room is a free-for-all. It is always helpful to be somewhat respectful. This is your time now. You want to decorate your dorm room your way. So put your favorite stuff around you, or if what is your favorite is very expensive, just have a bunch of pictures of your favorite stuff around you. Then know that it is safe at home. Have fun, be safe and finish school, no matter what.

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