by Kate Johns

Created on: February 06, 2009   Last Updated: February 13, 2009

Congratulations! You have gained major independence from your parents and you are going off into a new and exciting world of the college. Finally, you can live on your own, and express who you really are. Now, you can take advantage of your new independence and liberate your inner designer by creating a stellar dorm room.

How do you create the perfect dorm room? Here are the step by step instructions on how to create the perfect dorm room:

1. Before doing anything, find out what kind of dorm room you will be in. Will it be a dorm room for two students, or will it be an actual apartment. You will need to know this because a smaller one room place will require less furnishings and less items to buy. But an apartment sized dorm room will require you to buy more items and spend more money unless it is already furnished and has a microwave.

2. Next, you need to discover what kind of theme you want the dorm to be. Look through ads for stores, and through magazines to find out what your inner voice is crying out for. Do you want your room to be decorated in certain colors, like green and blue? Do you want a room that screams Hello Kitty everything? Or do you want a room decorated around your favorite band? It's your choice, you can do whatever you want.

3.Now that you know what design ideas you are going with, time to write that all important list. Write a detailed list of exactly what you will need for your new dorm room. You will need storage containers, hangers, pillows, a big pillow for lying on the floor, a microwave oven, lamps, a comforter, sheets, blankets, towels, slippers, a shower holder for all your bathroom stuff.

4..Call or e-mail your new dorm mate before going shopping to find out what her tastes are. This way you won't completely clash with her personality, because she might just have a thing for the all dark colors. Then you can coordinate who will buy the big ticket items such as a refrigerator or a microwave.

5. Time to go shopping! Go to the stores that have the best deals for new college students. Those stores are Wal-Mart and Target. Penny's has a lot of new ideas for college students also, but you will have to catch the items on sale. You may even be able to get great new crazy items on clearance. Wal-mart abounds with items just right for a dorm room from cheap comforters, inexpensive pillows, lamps, bookcases, towels, and everything you will need.

6. While you shopping, figure what other items you will want for your room such as posters, and a calendar to organize your college life. Make certain that you have a cellphone and a computer to call home and to do school work on.

There you have it, your list of what you need to do to create the dorm room of your dreams. Now, you'll need money and someone to help get it all to your new college. Good luck!

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