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Are
your college living quarters in need of
a big-time picker-upper? Get busy furnishing
with these cool dorm products!
Give
Your Room a Makeover
With Our "Dorm Decor 101"
By
Rebecca Vara
October/November 2002
The
CollegeBound Network NewsClick --
Leaving your parents' nest to move into
a barren cell of a room is one heck of a
transition. But each year, millions of college
students somehow make it work. We all know
nothing will top the warm, homey feeling
of your bedroom and the way it fits your
personality like a glove. But why not try
to spice up your new room with an extra
sprinkle of home sweet home?
Here's
NewsClick'sTop 10 list of dorm-room
essentials to help you out:
1.
Add color and texture. Your college
dorm room may be small and cold, but you
can turn it into comfortable quarters by
adding color. Think of the colors and textures
of the clothes you wear -- whether it be
your favorite pair of jeans or an old sweater
-- use these elements (paint the walls,
add fabrics over old curtains or couches)
to make it feel more like home.
2.
Apply smiling faces and crazy high school
pics to your dorm duds. Whether your
photos are of family or friends, they will
never go out of style. Try to find unique,
out-of-the ordinary frames. Head on over
to your favorite home furnishings store,
and watch your photos bring your room to
life.
3.
Dorm rooms either have an icky yellow
carpet or cement floor. Neither option
is flattering, but there is hope. Pick up
a colorful area rug. Whether it's polka
dotted or plain, it'll do. Check out Todd
Oldham's campus essentials at Target.com,
and give your floor a makeover for under
$25.
4.
Building cubes are key for out-of-the-way
storage, but can be as cool as they are
practical. UrbanOutfitters.com sells
them in a variety of colors for $28. Stack
them by your desk for binders, or to hold
a vase of flowers.
5.
Light up the room without the waxy mess.
Although most colleges discourage candles,
with Inglow,
you're problem free. These candles light
from the inside out with batteries -- no
fire safety worries. For less than $12,
an everlasting,
vanilla-scented candle can make your room
shine.
6.
Did you know a lumpy bed can create long
nights of tossing and turning, and result
in failing grades? This year, start
things out right with a cozy comforter.
Linens
'n Things has an awesome assortment
of patterns -- that will match any color
scheme -- at a reasonable price.
7.
To entertain study guests, you need a
couch. If old couches from a neighborhood
garage sale scare you, check out the Crouton
at DormDepot.com.
For $129, you can get an environmentally-friendly
couch with under-cushion storage and a stylish
slip cover.
8.
Now that your guests are comfy, where
will you sit? Push the back-breaking
chair aside, and spice things up with a
chic butterfly chair from Butterflychairs.com,
starting as low as $29.95. If you're going
for a Hawaiian, plaid, or 70s theme, this
place has the look for you!
9.
Get a wall clock, and never be late for
class. Target.com
sells a retro gym wall clock ($14.99) equipped
with a metal front cage. Choose
aqua blue or maroon; either one is cool.
This clock will keep ticking all year long.
10.
Add a little touch of home on the walls.
Reinforce your room theme with homemade
artwork, a collage, or enlarge your favorite
photo to poster size to bring the essence
of home to your new digs.
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