February 5, 2025
Written by: Isabelle Jones | Lifestyle Editor
Making one’s own space is extremely important in college. This chapter in life is full of excitement, new friends and new experiences. Although it’s easy to settle for bare walls, only sticking with the provided furniture, decorating one’s room has a significant impact on their mental well-being, self-expression and overall college experience. Here are a few reasons why decorating is important.
The dorm room is one of the few places where students can fully express themselves. Personal touches like family and friend photos, favorite posters or other mementos to remind one of where one comes from can help anyone feeling homesick. At the end of a busy day, a student’s dorm room becomes a sanctuary for relaxation and recharging their social battery. Soft bedding, throw pillows and lighting work to create that relaxing environment. For students looking to choose a style, here is a list of popular themes: minimalism, boho chic, 70s style and much more. Personal expression and decoration don’t have to fit into a single label.
When making new friends, one will end up hanging out in their rooms. A decorated room can be a great conversation starter, or for when new roommates move in. Having a well-decorated space can feel more welcoming to guests.
Stress is a normal part of the college experience, but that doesn’t mean it should follow one into their room. Creating a personal and colorful space is a powerful influence to one’s mental health. According to Mental Health America, “Happy, bright colors can increase your mental activity and leave you feeling rejuvenated and energized.” An aesthetically pleasing environment improves one’s mental health and can even make one feel more productive.
Even though a dorm room is small, there is plenty of space to make it one’s own. It’s a fun and creative way to express oneself. So, grab those fairy lights, fluffy blankets and meaningful decor — the room is waiting.
Tips to decorate on a budget:
Bring in the greenery
Plants have several benefits that directly affect its owners. Plants are therapeutic, improving one’s mental health, helping one to recover from illness faster and contributing to a good flow within a feng shui lifestyle. Some popular bedroom plants are lucky bamboo, succulents, snake plants and Pothos.
Thrift shop
Thrift shopping has great options to find affordable decoration items that fit one’s style. Lamps, vases, frames and baskets are among the most unique decor that won’t break the bank.
Think multifunctional
Furniture that serves more than one purpose is extremely helpful for any student. One should look for under-bed storage with drawers and ottomans.
Understand what’s allowed in the dorm
As one gets creative with decorating, it’s important to understand what is allowed — and, more importantly, not allowed — within the dorms. Candles, halogen lamps, vacuums and toaster ovens are among the most popular items that are prohibited in the dorms. Any student needing a refresher should look at the “FIRE and LIFE SAFETY” and “The Guide to Residential Living 24-25” on Western’s housing page. Some safe alternatives for the most popular prohibited item — candles — are diffuser sticks, essential oil diffusers and Scentsy warmers.
Use peel-and-stick items
Students have likely heard this a million times already, but Command strips are our best friends when one wants to hang up any art and hooks without causing damage to walls.
Contact the author at howllifestyle@wou.edu
