Designer Dorm Rooms for Guys and Girls

It’s that time again; tons of young adults are venturing off to college…  a place they’ve dreamed of and worked for FOREVER.  While most students walk onto campus ready to live it up (and of course study away), the dorm rooms are often a cause of severe disappointment.  Creating warmth in a sterile box containing bunk beds and vinyl tiles can present quite a challenge.  KAID has a couple of tricks to make the dorm days unforgettable.

**Make sure to layer.  For instance, layer your bedding by starting with your foundation of sheets, a duvet, and shams, then adding decorative pillows and a throw.  It's also fun and trendy to layer rugs, such as adding a neutral sisal as the base then topping it with a smaller Indian woven. 

**Be creative with storage.  You can try floating shelves, decorative boxes, and even under the bed storage.

**Avoid being too "matchy".  Because dorms are relatively small, if you go buy everything from the same store, it will look like everyone else's, and very unoriginal.  Be creative and research the internet before shopping, then you can find things that coordinate rather than match.

**Lastly, don't forget to use fabrics and textiles to soften the hardness of your "box".  Yes, boys, even you guys need some curtains and a rug here or there.  It's amazing what a little texture, color, and pattern can do to a space.

For the Ladies...

Here's an example of a fun, eclectic dorm room concept for a color-loving girl.

1.  This is temporary wallpaper that won't mess up your walls- www.modcloth.com

2.  A fun, colorful lamp because dorm lighting can be really dull- www.potterybarn.com

3.  Here's comfy desk chair that emulates an antique- www.pbteen.com

4.  Creative jewelry storage.  Buy some cool mismatch hardware, and make it yourself- http://www.kidspacestuff.com/blog/2012/03/teen-girls-room-vintage-storage-vintage-jewelry/

5.  Floral rug- www.anthropologie.com

6.  Bright coral drapes- www.anthropologie.com

7.  Use cool indian baskets for storage- http://www.ffcais.com/indian-baskets.html

8.  Choose neutral bedding so you can be bold in the rest of the room- www.ikea.com

9.  So I know you have hundreds of Instagram photos.  Why not make them into pillows- www.stitchagram.com

For the Guys...

Here's a masculine design for a dorm room with pops of color.

1.  Two-toned bedding- www.westelm.com

2.  Two-toned drapes- www.anthropolgie.com

3.  Orange accent pillow- www.yliving.com

4.  Striped, orange accent pillow- www.yliving.com

5.  Coordinating rug- www.ikea.com

6.  Decorative storage box- www.yliving.com

7.  Graffiti trash bin- www.crateandbarrel.com

8.  Funky orange futon- www.target.com

9.  Bar code accent pillow- www.yliving.com

10.  Side table for storage- www.ikea.com

11.  Cool desk lamp- www.arteriors.com