Mistakes is a harsh word. I acknowledge that everyone has and is entitled to their own sense of personal style. However I think most of us can agree on some components of the “traditional” college dorm or apartment trends that are a bit outdated or should go out in the communal recycling outside. If any of these items are in your current space, I do apologize. As I said, everyone can choose what they want to do with their own space. But these are some of my least favorite items/ setups found in college spaces. Don’t worry, I’m guilty of a vast majority of these in the past.
Tapestries
One of these took up the entire living room wall in my sophomore year apartment. It was a picture of a beach. When I tell you I’d rather the wall have been blank, it’s true. Every other week one corner of it would fall from the wall, leading my roommates to climb up the couch to try and tape it back up. That would in turn lead to one end being higher than the other, one side being more stretched out, one section being more wrinkled than the other, a whole plethora of annoyance. A much easier solution would be hanging up posters or graphic art to fill up the blank walls.
Bed Lofts
In theory, lofting your bed is a great idea with a roommate. It gives your side of the room more space and room to hang out in. Key word is in theory. My freshman year my roommate and I agreed to both loft our beds to save space for both of us. Until I realized that nothing could fit under my bed without me hitting my head on it. Save your money, save your head from hitting it on the very close ceiling and save yourself from the mini heart attack when climbing in and out of it when you think “maybe this the day I fall out”.
Lighting (or rather lack thereof)
Hear me out. I know a lot of people are coming around to disliking LED light strips around the corners of every dorm room. Personally, it’s not for me, but I do see an obvious benefit. The overhead lighting in any college place, whether it’s a dorm, apartment or house will be terrible. Either there won’t be any overhead lighting or it will be bright white and make you feel like you live in a hospital. While it may seem obvious, bringing any alternative form of lighting, whether it is the infamous LED lights, string lights, a clip on desk light, anything helps the space feel less clinical.
April 16, 2022 at 5:39 am
I’m torn on lofting half the time. as long as you know you have some furniture that fits under it- it is worth it to loft. just have to get used to to falling out of bed and smacking your face into the popcorn ceiling
April 17, 2022 at 12:47 am
I wish I was able to read this blog post last year haha. I also had a tapestry in my room and lofted my bed, along with LED lights around my room.
April 19, 2022 at 2:06 pm
Personally, I lofted my bed both years of living in the dorms. I would have liked to see how it would have been if it was not lofted but I did not have any issues with it being lofted. Also, I had led lights too and I really enjoyed them.
April 19, 2022 at 6:13 pm
This is some really helpful info. I like seeing how people design their own rooms, and I hope I can find a better design for my room in the future.
April 19, 2022 at 6:31 pm
I agree with all of these, especially the tapestry one. Great points and great ideas for other, similar options.
April 20, 2022 at 2:06 am
There is a lot of great tips here for incoming freshman students who will be living in the dorms.
April 20, 2022 at 4:22 am
I like that you specified recycling in the beginning! But I totally agree, some of these looks are so outdated and cliche. I personally don’t really like tapestries, just because I’d rather have multiple smaller images arranged than just one big piece, plus there’s the issue of keeping it up, as you mentioned. As far as lighting, I went with a set of outdoor string lights that emit warm lighting. It’s much gentler on the eyes, and the fact that it’s real light bulbs adds some personality.