Cozy season is here, and that means it’s time to crank up the thermostat, curl up under a blanket, make some tea…and create a warm, welcoming refuge in your dorm. Wondering how to take your room from summer to winter in style? Here are The NAU Review’s eight failsafe tips to transform your dorm into the coziest sanctuary ever!
1. Never underestimate the power of a rug.
Rugs are a fairly inexpensive way to completely transform a space. Plus, they’re comfy! You can add a pop of color or bring in some fun neutrals and textures in small or large sizes. If you’re feeling crazy—try both and layer them!
2. All the mood lighting.
Whether you string Christmas lights around the ceiling, add a salt lamp for some natural vibes or hang a rattan pendant, accent lighting can add much-needed ambiance and make a stark room feel cozy and warm. Make it extra easy and convenient to turn up the mood with a wireless remote light kit. They’re inexpensive, and if you add an adapter, you can plug multiple lights into each port, allowing you to quickly light your space.
3. Plants, plants and more plants.
There is no such thing as having too many plants. They add life to any space and are sometimes the flash of green you need. But because most dorm rooms don’t get the best light, it’s often hard to keep them alive. The solution: low-light plants! Consider getting a ZZ (Zamioculcas zamiifolia) plant or cast iron plant (Aspidistra elatior). Both thrive in minimal light and don’t require much watering. Win-win!
4. Add a tapestry or two.
Hanging a tapestry as wall art is a great way to incorporate homey boho vibes while covering large spaces and adding texture. Most are light enough that they can be hung with an adhesive hanging strip so there’s no need to put holes in the walls. Plus, if you make your own, it’s a great way to bring together the colors of your room in the yarn you use (and a great excuse to gather some friends for a craft night!). Check out The NAU Review’s DIY Wall Hanging tutorial.
5. Dress up your space with window treatments.
If you’re lucky enough to have a window, hang long light, textured or sheer curtains using a tension rod to add a homey vibe. In addition to the privacy factor, it makes your room feel extra cozy. You can also use a tension rod and curtains to enclose a closet space. That way, you’re not obligated to always keep it tidy.
6. Divide the room.
If you’re sharing a room or office, create a private space by adding tall bookshelves down the center of the room. Pro tip: Get two skinny bookshelves with backs, place them side-by-side and face them in opposite directions. That way, each person gets a bookshelf to themselves and “wall space” (on the back of the bookshelf) to create a photocollage or hang a calendar.
7. Loft it.
Bed risers are a great investment and by lofting a bed, you can maximize your space by creating a cozy sitting area, reading nook or place to study with a fun chair (or hammock!). Plus, this opens up more opportunities for storage which everyone could use more of! Pro tip: Bed risers with outlets are a thing, which makes plugging in all your electronics (and mood lighting) much easier.
8. Invest in removable wallpaper and decal stickers.
Peel-and-stick wallpapers and decals are all the rage, and for good reason! While you could go crazy and add it to an entire wall, save money by choosing a smaller space. Whether you use it to create a headboard or wallpaper above your desk, it’s a great way to transform a space and add personality to bland walls without damaging them. And the same goes for decals! Make sure to purchase reusable ones so you can stick and unstick them whenever you’d like.