Back to school isn’t for a few months, but if you’re heading off to college for the first time to go live in a dorm, now is a good time to start thinking about your new student life. It can be intimidating and overwhelming, especially if you’re moving out of state, but having some comforts from home can help ease your worries. Decorating your dorm room is a good way to bring those comforts to college with you, while still expressing yourself and your personality.
Yes, college is expensive, and there’s no denying that. After all the different expenses, decorating might be at the very bottom of your list of priorities on what to spend money on, but thankfully there are lots of ways to decorate on a tight budget. Read on to find out more.
Plan ahead
Don’t wait until the last minute to go shopping for everything, because you’ll be stuck paying full price for items you can’t go without once you’ve moved in. If you plan ahead, you can mark down special promotional events on your calendar and shop strategically. Think about major sales like Amazon Prime Day, and do some preliminary Googling to find the best Amazon Prime Day deals beforehand so when the time comes, you’re ready.
Have multi-purpose furniture
If every big piece of furniture in your dorm room can double as something else, you can save on cash and on space. Choose furniture with hidden storage, or that has a dual purpose, like a couch that folds into a bed, a pillow top bench with hidden storage, or a nightstand that doubles as a table.
Utilize any free space
Dorm rooms are tiny, so it’s time to get creative on space-saving and storage methods. Any available space can be used, including wall space. There are lots of cool ways to use vertical storage to your advantage, and most methods of storage are pretty cost-effective. It doesn’t take much furniture or equipment to make it work, and it helps keep your dorm room organized.
Buy second-hand or discontinued items
Looking for a microwave, mini fridge, or coffeemaker? Save a few dollars by shopping for these items at a thrift store, second-hand store like Goodwill, or by buying older models from big box retailers. Stores generally want to get rid of their older stock, so they will reduce prices, and for an appliance or piece of furniture you probably won’t use for longer than your freshman year before you resell it, older models will do the trick just fine.
Find deals on bedding
Bedding can be one of the more expensive decor pieces, unless you know where to look. Multi-piece bedding sets, also known as a bed in a bag, can be a great way to save money on bedding, especially if the set is reversible and can achieve two different styles.
Repurpose what you already have
Maybe there are a few things from your room right now that you can repurpose and bring with you so you don’t have to buy them new. Yes, it’s undeniable that it’s not as exciting as buying something brand new, but when your budget is stretched thin, it might be necessary to repurpose what you have. Recovering cushions or painting old furniture are some DIY project ideas you can consider for your new space.
