Decorating your dorm room doesn’t need to be overwhelming

The college dorm room is a place of firsts for many young people. In addition to the joys and challenges of being a college student, this is often the first time in someone's life that they will live communally and get to decorate their own space. While this is usually a lot of fun, it can also be a daunting task for those living on their own for the first time. 

If the idea of sharing space with someone who until recently was a complete stranger to you is difficult to accept, a little interior design can go a long way in terms of both making your space easier to share and feel more like home.

Many college students think that they must only work with the standard furniture that comes with their dorm room. But in reality, adding small adornments such as throw pillows or extra seating can go a long way in terms of making this standard space feel more inhabitable.

Whether you and your roommate have different sleep schedules, or you simply prefer a little more privacy, you can hang drapes around your bed. This will serve to differentiate the living and sleeping areas of a small dormitory and can make a standard issue twin bed feel more luxurious.

If you're a light sleeper, velvet blackout drapes will help to dampen noise and light from outside, ensuring that you get a good night's rest for class in the morning.  Feel free to express your personal style by layering silk curtains or sheer drapes on the outside of these.

While decorating your dorm room can present a number of challenges, it's an exciting time in anyone's life. Simple tricks can make your space feel more inviting and help you to have a better time living, working and studying in this space.