HOME AWAY FROM HOME: DORM DECORATING

Remember when your kid first went to school for a whole day? Preparation went into making that day a special one: putting all the right supplies inside a carefully selected backpack, choosing that so-important first day outfit and packing a lunchbox that sported a picture of a favorite animal or superhero. After four years of high school, filling out college applications, and figuring out where the money is going to come from, there might be some tears of relief flooding the parental eye, as well as longing for simpler days gone by. Don’t forget, though, that those adventurous young people heading off for college are probably acting a whole lot braver than they feel. Doing the preparation to make the dorm room that will be your student’s home away from home a comfortable place to study, hang out, and maybe miss Mom and Dad a little bit, might just make you both feel more confident.

Even the best dorm room looks pretty institutional when unadorned, so sending your student off with enough colorful items to bring cheer and a homey atmosphere even before the real organizing takes place is key. The bed and desk will be the focal point of a single room, a double shared with a roomie, or even a suite for four. Bedding is job one, and certainly hitting the hay that first night will start dorm life off better if your student’s bedding is comfortable and attractive. It should also be washable and durable, keeping in mind that studying and socializing will make the list long before visiting the laundry room where industrial washers and dryers will be less than kind to fabrics. Geometric patterns also work well, can be repeated in area rugs or accessories, and will remain fashionable for four years and perhaps into that first post-college apartment.

The next items on the list are towels and bathroom necessities. Check the information you were given about how the dorm your student will be living in is set up for bathroom facilities, as these can vary from one bathroom to a room shared by two, or a suite shared by four, to the trek down the hall to the showers. In any case, a sturdy caddy for shampoo, soap, etc., gives your student at least a fighting chance of hanging onto his or her own supplies. Towels need to be good quality and quick drying. Everyone loves pure, thick cotton towels, but in a dorm, space is at a premium and a blend might work better. Coordinating with bedding is both attractive and practical, once again making it easier to know what belongs to whom.

Now that your student has a comfortable bed, towels and a handy bathroom caddy, all in coordinating colors, the desk where many study hours, late night talks and makeshift meals will happen, is the next item of business. The desk is normally provided in the room, but you will want to purchase a lamp to relieve overhead lighting. Consider a floor lamp, which can usually be purchased inexpensively at the same retailer where you’re buying the rest of your dorm décor, as most major retailers have seasonal dorm outfitting inventories. Your student will have more books, notebooks, laptops, speakers and other items than places to put them, so a floor lamp saves desk space. Tools such as desk organizers seem like a good idea, but first take a look at the desk at home. Does your student use a desk organizer? Be sure to consult about this aspect of dorm room décor, and find out what works best for your own young adult. However, in the interests of cleanliness, purchasing some sort of cover, placemats for impromptu meals, or even a couple of small trays to put food on, is a great idea to convert that desk into a place for a midnight snack when cramming for finals.

Speaking of food, another area you need to consult with the school about is what is allowed in the way of dorm sized refrigerators, microwaves, coffee makers, and other small appliances. Along with what is allowed, in a limited space, what is your student most likely to use? Would she be likely to prefer a microwaved meal to going to the dining hall when pressed for time? Is he more likely to make coffee in the morning, and save a little money, than leave early to get coffee on the way to class? Reasonably priced but fairly durable items in this line can also be purchased in a variety of colors to coordinate with the bed linens and towels you’ve already purchased, and the top of the ‘fridge provides a little extra counter space.

Space is one commodity that there just won’t be enough of, so think about décor that doubles as storage. Footlockers are now available not only in utilitarian black or grey, but in decorator colors as well. They can store clothes and sports equipment, or be used to hide laundry before Mom and Dad visit. They provide an extra surface for books and papers, to prop up feet or stereo speakers, and when it’s time to move, stack perfectly. Encourage your student to chose clothes carefully, because that little closet will overflow in no time, making the tried and true solution of under-bed storage a necessity. Plastic containers last and keep clothes clean, so resist the temptation to choose less expensive cardboard options here.

Walls and floors can’t be neglected, but here you get a break. A low maintenance indoor/outdoor area rug in colors that look well with the bedding will do for the floor, and your student will no doubt want to express their preferences, which will change, for the wall decorations. Just provide plenty of sticky hooks and other nail-free options for hanging posters and pictures.

Colleges and universities provide fairly extensive information about residence life and are usually very specific about what is provided, and what is allowed. A newer trend is that of providing links on the residence life webpage for shopping for bedroom/bathroom kits. At the University of New Mexico, students and parents can call a number listed on the website, or use the webpage link to shop for kits that not only match the size of the beds and meet the requirements of the dorm, but are guaranteed to last from move-in to graduation.

Whether shopping together with your prospective college student before move-in day, using a suggested link for purchasing dorm room kits, or simply giving some wise advice and handing over the credit card, preparing a dorm room is a big part of the transition to college life. Purchasing good quality items that will withstand the rigors of the dorm, and provide both physical and emotional comfort, is a good investment and a real help to your young adult. Don’t be afraid to include some mementoes in that moving box, too. Be sure to pack that beloved teddy bear that no one is exactly admitting to wanting, or the baseball mitt that has had pride of place since eighth grade, and your job is done … until the first phone call, anyway!