How to Make Your Dorm Room Home

By Sadie Carr
​@YCsadiec

I was so scared to move into my dorm at first. I only live 20 minutes from my college, but I still needed to find a way to make my home not so far away. The transition from home to college doesn’t have to be as dramatic as it seems. With a few simple additions to your dorm room, it can be transformed into a perfect home away from home.
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​Some of my proudest purchases for my dorm room include my mattress pad, carpet, and fan (some major game changers in the dorm world). But, I have some even simpler dorm room accessories that will make your room feel like HOME.

1. Blankets- I am not kidding, the best feeling ever is knowing that after class or sports I will have four different fluffy blankets waiting for me in my room. Honestly, just one fluffy, nice blanket makes me happy because it’s perfect for naps.
   
   
   
2. Lighting- I did not think that this was super important, but I became very thankful for my “twinkle” lights around my room. During the day while I am working in my room or doing homework, I use the main light to light my room. But, at the end of the day after all my activities, I just use my “fairy lights”, cozy up in my blankets, and binge watch FRIENDS. I have never felt more at home than that.
   
   
   
3. Wall decorations- Pictures are perfect when it comes to putting comforting decorations up. The most important part of decorating is to cover as much white on the walls as possible with whatever makes you feel like YOU. I have seen a lot of people hang tapestries that cover entire walls and I think that's genius. The more items that you choose to hang on your walls, the more you will feel like the space is yours.
   
   
   
4. A brand-new bed spread- I got a new comforter for my college bed and it still makes me happy when I’m in my room. It almost feels more at home if you know you have picked out all of your decorations specifically for yourself at college.
   
   
   
5. SCENTS- You know how every home has a certain smell to it…? If your family ever used specific smells like essential oils or wall diffusers, you can definitely have those in the dorms. The smell will bring you right back home. Or you can choose your own scent that you love. Either way, your dorm room should please all of your senses in order to really feel like home.
   

These are just a few ideas to add to your dorm room, because even the smallest remembrances of home can make all the difference. The best part about your dorm room is that you get to decide what YOU want in it. Your dorm room can mimic your real home, or it can become home by just making it your own comfortable space. I think the most at home I can feel is if I am cozy, clean, and comfortable in my room.