DORM DOZE IN COMFORT AND STYLE
Back-to-school success starts with a good night's sleep
The start of a new school year can come with a lot of challenges. New teachers, new classmates and a new schedule require a lot of adjustment. A good night's sleep is not only necessary to get through this busy time of year and stay awake in class, but it's also a refuge and reward at the end of a long day.
From choosing the right linens to designing a space you'll be happy to retreat to, it's time to get your bedroom ready for backto-school days — and nights. If you want to be right on trend, opt for bedding with cosy textures and colourful prints that you can mix and match for a custom look. When it comes to comfort, consider whether it's time to invest in a new mattress. I've visited some favourite haunts to find fashionable looks you'll love and supreme comfort, too.
BEDDING
Do you prefer the feel of linen, cotton or synthetic fabrics? Bedding materials are a highly personal choice, but if you're a student who'll be doing your own laundry this year, I recommend easy-care linens that are washer-and-dryer friendly, with no need for ironing. The solution: microfibre sheets. They're ultrasoft to the touch, yet they require no special treatment — wash, dry and put them back on the bed! A big bonus is that microfibre sheet sets and comforters are an affordable option for back-toschool budgets. Opting for monochromatic sheet sets and comforters is a great design trick to create less visual chaos in a small room. My advice is to keep the linens serene and use bedding accessories to add colour, pattern and personality to the bed.
ACCESSORIES
In a small, multi-purpose dorm room or bedroom, the bed is the focal point, so that's the place to add colour and pattern in the room. Accessories like pillows and throws are a great way to add not just style to your room but also comfort for studying or lounging. If your bed is pushed into a corner, try lining the walls around the bed with a variety of pillows to transform your bed into a sofa-like lounge zone.
Mix and match a variety of patterns and colours to give your bed a custom look. Floral, foliage and bold geometric patterns are key this fall. Evolve the look or introduce new trends by changing out a pillow or two throughout the year. Look for pillows with covers that can be removed and washed, and make sure throws are made with synthetic materials so they can be freshened up in the washer on laundry day.
MATTRESS
Prior to the pandemic, I spent three consecutive summers visiting friends and going to festivals in downtown Montreal. I rented a student dorm room, and everything was perfect — except for the mattress. It was a wellused coil-spring, vinyl-wrapped mattress that had lost its comfort zone a million years ago.
Investing in a new mattress is a great way to ensure a good night's sleep. Many new foam mattresses are made with gel memory and latex and have air-cut channels to help regulate body temperature while sleeping. Plus, foam mattresses can be delivered in a box (smaller than a hockey bag) directly to your dorm or home address. Look for a foam mattress with a cover that zips off for easing cleaning. Tip: Always check with your university to ensure you're allowed to bring a mattress into your dorm.
MATTRESS PROTECTION
Protecting your investment, whether it's a mattress or pillows, is key to keeping them clean and smelling fresh. Zip-on pillow and stretch-on mattress protectors will fend off dust mites and liquids. Are you moving away for school and using a supplied mattress? No need to put up with the crunchy sound of the provided vinyl mattress cover. Replace it with a cover made of soft, water-repellent and breathable fabrics that wick heat away and protect your bed.