Move-in day for new college students is an exciting beginning to a new chapter in their lives. It brings newfound freedom for young adults to live during the process of learning
who they are on their own. This freedom includes having a room you call yours to customize until you feel at home.
Most students fail to realize the increase in expenses that come with living independently, let alone any costs for decorations to make a new place cozy and aesthetically pleasing. However, there are ways to create that homey dorm room feel on a tight college budget.
Ways to Achieve a Cheap but Chic Dorm Room
Finding websites and stores with reasonable prices is vital. Check out these great stores and websites that offer budget-friendly dorm decor!
Shein
Shein is one of the cheapest places to find wall decor and other necessities for your room. The shipping may take some time depending on the time of year and the delivery location, so be sure to be thinking ahead so you can have all you need to set up your room on move-in day!
Walmart
Walmart is a great store for those practical things needed for living by yourself. This store is a great place to buy different storage compartments, bathroom counter organizers, cooking utilities, and everyday items such as cleaning supplies and snacks.
Wayfair
Wayfair is another great website for decor and bedding for your dorm. This place has the biggest selection by far for comforters, boasting a wide variety of prints and materials. Whether you need something light or heavy, this website will give you plenty of options for bedding and throw pillows.
Simpler is Better
The phrase to remember is “simpler is better”! Most dorms are smaller spaces and can easily look cluttered if not decorated and organized in a way that conserves space. Typically dorms provide a bed, desk, and mirror, so try to get decorations that enhance what’s already there.
For your bed: Try buying a few cozy throw pillows and blankets with a simple pattern/color paired with a neutral-colored comforter!
For your desk: When it comes to your desk and college in general, organization is a necessity! Some practical and cute decorations can be bookends to hold your books, a pen/pencil holder, and a diffuser.
For your walls: Steal a string of Christmas lights from your parent’s garage to hang around the walls of your room! Not only does it provide light, but it also provides a warm and welcoming atmosphere to come back to during and at the end of your day.
Bring Some Pieces of Home With You
Being away from home can be uncomfortable at first, but pictures are one way to bring in a piece of home and remind you of friends you don’t see as often. Many websites will give you 20+ custom pictures for low prices. Hang these on some string lights or tape to your walls, being daily reminders of sweet memories and special people in your life!
Only Splurge On Important Items
Know what to spend a few extra bucks on and what you can buy for cheap. Sometimes compromising for the sake of saving money on big-ticket items may cost you more money later on due to the poor quality of the item. Coffee machines, microwaves, and storage boxes are worth spending money on if it means the quality will last the whole year without breaking or needing to be replaced.
Also, consider reading this article on How Colors Can Affect your Mood.
