by Nikki King

Created on: September 07, 2010

Entering a college dorm is like staring at a blank canvas. The possibilities are endless and the options can be overwhelming. Retailers push the latest “must-have” college items, but you already know that buying most of it is wasteful of Earth’s resources. Fortunately, there are plenty of ways to decorate a room while following a green lifestyle.

For starters, vow not to buy anything brand new unless you absolutely have to. Gently used furniture and storage containers can be found in a variety of places, including thrift stores, garage sales, the curb where someone left it to be taken, or online at Freecycle or Craigslist. Let family members, friends, and neighbors know what you are looking for, and they may know someone who has it to give away. If you know a college senior or someone who has just graduated, ask if he or she has any accessories or appliances that are no longer needed. Also, look around your house to see what can be taken with you. Why buy a new nightstand when the one in your bedroom is in great shape?

If you must buy new appliances, invest in energy efficient varieties. When buying light bulbs, look for compact fluorescents. To save more energy, use a power strip that can be shut off when items are not being used. You can also set up a fan rather than running the air conditioner as often.

Invest in organic cotton varieties of anything that is fabric, such as bedding, towels, curtains, and a laundry hamper. Try to avoid plastic tubs and storage containers by choosing wooden baskets or crates, many of which can be found at thrift stores.

The green lifestyle can infiltrate every part of your dorm, even those typically hidden from view. Invest in a water filter, a reusable aluminum bottle, and a sturdy set of dinnerware rather than using the plastic throwaway varieties.

For a beautiful, natural air-purifier, grow a leafy houseplant. Many varieties, like Philodendron and Devil’s ivy, are hardy and require little light. If you want flowers, African violets can easily survive dorm room conditions.

Finally, show off your personality with your own special touches. Collages and magazine images hanging on walls are suddenly back in style when you enter college. Use adhesive gum to post pictures or images from home because, unlike tape, adhesive gum can be reused throughout your college career. Rather than buying new decorative wall decals, cut letters from magazines to spell favorite quotes, and post them around your room. Look around your home for anything that can be repurposed for your dorm room. An old favorite t-shirt can be sewn into a pillow. A metal coffee can becomes a stylish storage container once it’s covered with used wrapping paper, photo cutouts, or magazine images.

These green decorating ideas do more than help the environment; they also save you money. Allow yourself to get creative when gathering supplies for your room because you will likely find useful items in surprising places.

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