Archive for March, 2011

Making Dorm Room Walls Colorful without Paint

Monday, March 21st, 2011

One of the hardest things about decorating a dorm room is that the walls cannot be painted. Oftentimes nothing can be hung on the walls using tacks or nails either, so you won’t be able to hang heavy decor, like tree wall sculptures or metal tropical wall hangings. However, it is possible to respect dorm decorating rules and still create a room that is worthy of a creative college student. Add a little spark to a dull dorm room with a few easy decorating suggestions.

Follow the Rules

Before embarking on a decorating tangent, it is important to fully understand the dorm’s policies on decorating. Some restrictions may seem unreasonable but the rule still has to be followed. While most dorms do not allow tacks and tape on the wall, they do allow many types of adhesives that can be used to hang pictures and posters as long as they will not leave a mark on the walls when removed. Hangers and hooks can be found with this same type of adhesive backing, and it allows hangers to be securely fitted onto the walls and completely removed when the student vacates the dorm room. After gaining a full understanding of the dorms decorating rules, it is time to decorate.

Hanging Posters

When introducing color to a dorm room, posters are an excellent choice. They cover a large portion of the wall, and they are very lightweight. Another advantage to decorating with posters is that they are not at all expensive, and they can be found to fit any theme or color combination. Posters can even be hung side by side to simulate wallpaper, adding a great amount of color, design and theme. Another option is for the student to create their own artwork and display it on their walls, which is a wonderful way to personalize the space and make it a one of a kind room. Even favorite photographs can be easily made into a posters.

Wall Decor

A really fun option for decorating the walls in a dorm room is to use wall decals. Many of these decals can actually replicate the appearance of wallpaper, but these decals are made of vinyl and they are completely removable. With approved adhesives, you can hang wrapping paper, crafting papers or even Kraft or butcher’s paper that you’ve decorated yourself. This is a great way to create a graffiti wall with a trendy urban appearance. Lightweight fabrics can also be used to add interest and texture to the walls; they can be hung with a starch solution that can be washed away at the end of the school year.

When Form and Function Collide

Finally, remember that there is generally not much space in the room, so it is a good idea to include wall decorations that add function. Hanging a bulletin board or white board in the room is a great way to add function and color to a wall. For a colorful bulletin board, cover a regular cork board with colorful fabric; this gives you great function along with great colorful style.

Photo credit to dborman2.

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Creating a Dream Dorm Closet

Sunday, March 20th, 2011

Since most dorm rooms are very small, literally every available bit of space in the room is important. Dorm room closets, if they even exist, are notorious for being tiny and poorly configured. They barely provide room to store clothing much less anything else. If the dorm room closet simply cannot store enough belongings, take a look at how it is configured and assess what needs to change. After all, it is surprising what a few, simple organization changes can do for a closet.

Start by Assessing Need

The first thing that a student should do when assessing their closet is to determine how they plan to use the space. A closet configuration that is quite successful for one person may not work well for another person. For example, one student may have many different articles of clothing to store, and perhaps adding a portable wardrobe to the room is a good way to address additional storage needs. Before deciding how to configure the closet, make sure that the volume of belongings to be stored is reasonable.

Simple Additions

After assessing the belongings that are to be stored in the closet, it is time to set about using the closet space as efficiently as possible. Consider taking out the shelf and adding another clothes rod, positioning it high enough to hang shirts and tops. By adding the second rod, essentially the useable space in the closet has just been doubled.

Invest in a Closet Organization System

Another option is to actually use a commercial, closet organization system to configure the inside of the closet. Consider the closet system an investment, because it can serve throughout the college years to organize closets in dorm rooms, apartments and houses. Select options that are particularly well suited for individual needs like shelves, rods, hooks, and drawers among other features. If cost is an issue, it is possible to use plastic milk crates to create a modular closet system that costs a fraction of the amount a commercial system costs. Remember that wall hooks and pegboard are both excellent, low profile  storage solutions that are affordable and easy to install.

Furnishing a Closet

If folding clothes and storing them in drawers makes better use of storage space than hanging, then consider adding a dresser or bookshelves to the closet area. For example, it may be worth raising the height of the clothes rod in the closet, and then placing a short bookshelf under it. Using furniture to help organize storage in a closet is a wonderful solution for increasing the amount of useable space in a dorm room closet. It is also a great way to reconfigure a closet without mounting shelves directly to the wall.

Use Every Inch Wisely

The smaller a living space is, the more important it is to use every square inch. A few tips: Use a shoe organizer on the backs of doors. Of course shoes can be stored in them, or they can be used to store everything from gloves to hair accessories. Also remember to add hooks, pegs and pegboard wherever possible to help organize smaller accessories like scarves, belts and jewelry.

A well organized dorm room is a clutter free dorm room. Now go ahead and show your style with lightweight decor like photos and posters. These can be hung with removable adhesives which are typically approved for use in dorms. In most cases you won’t be able to use screws or nails on the walls, so avoid heavy decor like hanging wall vases or metal wall crosses.

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Getting a Dorm Room Organized

Saturday, March 19th, 2011

Creating a cohesive dorm room design that is functional and easy to care for can be quite a challenge. The secret to success with this task is to make good use of storage throughout the room. Adding extra storage to the room wherever possible not only helps keep the room free of clutter, but it also makes it easier to stay organized. So when sending a student off to college, take a little time to get that dorm room organized and functioning before classes begin.

Furniture that Really Functions

The first place to think about incorporating extra storage is in furniture pieces. So look for furnishings that can serve more than one purpose. For example, select a cube ottoman with a removable top, so that it can be used as a stool and double as handy storage. Any furniture that can double as storage works well for this purpose whether it is a bed with storage underneath or a coffee table with a hollow area beneath a lid that can be used for storage.

Lots of Shelf Space

Another great way to incorporate storage into a dorm room is by hanging shelving on the walls. While it may be tempting to simply hang a shelf or two on the wall, it is much better to incorporate an floor to ceiling bookcase for the maximum storage area in the least amount of space. Often a homeowner is able to assemble and install shelving or bookcases themselves. You can build a bookcase unit from a kit, or construct one on your own out of planks of wood and colorful, plastic milk crates,

Make the Most of Your Desk Space

In a dorm room, desk space is at a premium. A desk should be plenty big enough for a student to use when getting their school work done. The desk needs to accommodate a computer or laptop along with any books that may need to be used for reference. Some dorm rooms have built in desks, while other dorm rooms allow students to bring their own desks. One space saving option is to set up the bed in a loft style configuration; this allows the space under the bed to be used for desk space. Hang a peg board on the wall by the desk so that it is easy to keep small items organized and close at hand. Use a clamp lamp or a floor lamp to provide light without using up any desk space.

Finding a Fabulous Bed

The perfect bed for a dorm room is a loft bed, because it allows the best use of floor space. Since the loft bed occupies the upper plane of space in the room, it leaves virtually all of the floor space open in the dorm room, so that it can be used for living and studying. However, a futon is also an effective selection for a sleeping space, because it can double as a seating area during the day. Always ensure that the mattress is firm and a decent quality. The bed has to be able to stand up to constant use, because it will be used for reading, lounging, watching TV and sleeping.

Finally add some style with lightweight posters and photos that can be hung with approved, removable adhesives. Avoid heavy wall decor, like tropical wall sculptures or huge wall vases, because in most cases you cannot use nails or screws on the walls to hang them.

Photo credit to flutterbright.

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Do It Yourself: How to Reupholster a Couch

Friday, March 18th, 2011

Sometimes a couch has great style and the structure is still in tact, but the upholstery has become faded, worn, tattered or stained. Reupholstering the piece is an excellent way to keep this gem out of the landfills and give it a second lease on a useful life. It’s also a great way to give a dated couch a fab new look. Best of all, you can do it yourself and get a new look for the just cost of fabric!

Step 1: Measure and Select Fabric

Before heading off to the fabric store, take accurate measurements of the couch: You need to measure the length, width, and height; arm length and depth; and the width, height and depth of seat cushions and backs. Write down these measurements by section so that the assistant at the fabric store can assist you in determining the total amount of fabric needed. Always purchase more than you think you will need, by about 10%. This will ensure that there is enough fabric for seams and any minor errors in measurements.

When selecting fabric, go for sturdy fabric that is fade and stain resistant; if you have children and pets, select a fabric that stands up well to repeated vacuuming and steam cleaning. Also be sure to select a fabric that works well with your decorative style, whether your room features tin wall crosses or wine wall hangings.

Step 2: Remove the Original Fabric

Carefully cut the seams of the old fabric; remove it and discard it. Take care not to damage the padding beneath. If the padding is in good shape, you can upholster over it; if not, you will need synthetic foam padding as a replacement.

Step 3: Trace out Fabric Shapes

Use a light colored pencil to trace the shapes of each section of the couch onto the back of the fabric. Add one inch of seam allowance all the way around for each measurement and carefully cut out the pieces for the frame; then trace and cut out pieces for each cushion.

Step 4: Attach the Fabric to the Frame

Using a heavy-duty staple gun, attach the fabric securely to the couch’s frame so that the staples are not visible. The new seams should be located in the same locations as the original seams; this will ensure a professional looking job and also prevent the mishap of installing a staple where it could injure someone. It is also less likely that the staples or fabric will stretch or pull loose if you use the original seam locations.

Step 5: Cover the Cushions

The final step is to cover the cushions with slipcovers. If possible, install a zipper on the cushions so that the covers can be washed when needed; check the fabric manufacturer’s directions, but in most cases, washing them inside out in cold water will result in the least amount of fading. The easiest way to make the slipcovers is with a sewing machine, but they can also be hand sewn. Sew the seat cushion so that it is snug and the zipper can be easily closed.

Photo credit to damph.

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