BY EMILY VERBIEST, STAFF WRITER
Hello all! Are you sick of your boring dorm room? Want to spruce up the place a bit? Then take a look at our top six ways to enhance your dorm room in order to make your space truly unique to you.
1) Add Plant Life
Incorporating plant life into your living space is an effective way to boost your spirits and create a calming environment. A study published by the health journal BMC Public Health explained how just looking at the color green can positively affect one’s health and perceived sense of safety. Therefore, it may be beneficial for you to pick up a few lush green potted plants to place in your dorm room. Several low maintenance options include succulents, cacti, Chinese evergreens and philodendrons.
2) Invest in an espresso machine
Just imagine the decadent aroma of freshly-brewed coffee consuming your dorm room as you study. Having an espresso machine immediately gives you access to a pick-me-up for a quick study break. Although purchasing them can be a bit pricey, it’s a worthy investment. For those coffee addicts who constantly run to Starbucks for their fix, it will prove to be a lucrative decision if you acquire an espresso machine. Instead of paying $2 to $6 for a latte, coffee capsules equate to about $0.70 per cup.
3) Lay out some leisure books
As a college student, you may feel constantly buried by books, books and more books. However, if you can afford the time, take a break from your academic reading and indulge in some books for leisure. Rather than scrolling through your phone or laptop before bed, read a few chapters of a book for your enjoyment. By diving into a foreign story you often return to your normal state of mind with an invigorated perspective. Some noteworthy books worth a read include “The Goldfinch” by Donna Tartt, “A Little Life” by Hanya Yanagihara and “The Boys in the Boat” by Daniel James Brown.
4) Add mirrors
If you detest the feeling of confined areas and cramped rooms, add a couple of large mirrors to your living space. Not only do mirrors create the illusion of a vast and open area, but they instantly make dorm rooms more aesthetically pleasing. If you want to brighten your room, adding mirrors will enhance your surroundings as light bounces off the surface of the mirror, providing light to the rest of your room. Be sure to position the mirror(s) in a way that is both space-efficient and logically coordinated with your current room layout in order to maximize the desired effect.
5) Accent decors
Dull and uninspiring bedroom decor can create a dry and draining atmosphere. It is crucial to arrange a living space that you actually enjoy living in. A simple way to revitalize your room is to add a few accent pieces such a statement rug, a bold tapestry, a bright throw or a bevy of plush pillows to add some atmosphere to your room. You’d be amazed by how just a few simple steps can completely alter a room’s feeling.
6) Something unique
Add something that is unique to your personality and preferences. Your room should reflect your thoughts and interests and should be a manifestation of your passions. Love music? Set up an authentic record player with a vinyl library or pin up vintage band posters. If you are an artist, display your own paintings, drawings and photographs. Whatever it is you love, make that your environment and it will ceaselessly continue to inspire you.
