Discount Mattresses Reviews

Before moving into a dorm, do some homework. It’ll help you ace the transition.

Students at colleges and universities everywhere face the same challenge — transforming a small, impersonal space into a place that feels like home.

The key is to create a space that’s both functional and fun.

Time for a crash course in Dorm Decorating 101.

Be creative. To see what others have done, go on a virtual tour of university residences. Many university Web sites offer them, including the University of Regina (www.uregina.ca/residences).

“The rooms are as unique as the people living in them,” says Donna Braun, director of operations for Student Affairs at the University of Regina. “They’re so good at making it their own space.”

The door is a good place to begin.

“Often you’ll see that they put some kind of welcome message on their door … They make it their own,” Braun said.

Erasable white message boards are popular, so friends can leave messages on the door. And no dorm room would be complete without a bulletin board. But before you go out and buy either, check with the university, because many supply them.

And before hanging anything on the walls, check what the rules are, Braun warned, because if what you’re hanging will remove paint, you’re responsible for the damage.

There are no doors on the closets in many dorm rooms. “It’s fairly common,” Braun pointed out, and offered a solution.

“What a lot of them do is get the expandable shower curtain rods and then hang curtains in front of their closet,” she said. “That’s very attractive.”

Bear in mind that university buildings are non-smoking areas. That extends to candles and incense, Braun pointed out.

If students want candles in their dorm room, she recommends they use flameless candles, which are permitted.

Another thing to remember is not to hang anything from any of the fire equipment — the sprinklers or the smoke detector, she cautioned.

“When it comes to perking up a dorm room, most students are looking for a cheap fix,” says Don Fleece, customer service manager at Home Depot’s east Regina location.

No problem, he insisted.

“You can get really creative when money is tight,” Fleece said, pointing out examples throughout his store.

When shopping, check out the store’s bargain bins and discount areas, he recommended.

“You’d be amazed at what you can find — and how much money you can save,” Fleece said.

To add a splash of colour to walls — if painting isn’t permitted — he recommends using peel-and-stick decals, which are available in everything from jazzy, colourful circles to flowers and butterflies. Or an inexpensive bamboo rollup shade can add a bit of warmth to a room.

Be a wise shopper. Buy items that can be used now in a dorm, but also down the road — long after graduation, Fleece recommended. For example, a small folding table and chair(s) can be used both now and later.

Moms can help, but they shouldn’t take over completely. Because this is really the first chance for teenagers going off to school to have things that are their own, they should actually shop for themselves, encourages HomeSense spokesperson Natalie Jikerjian.

“That way they actually feel that it’s theirs,” she said. “Let the teenager’s personality guide the purchases. It should be things that really enhance their hobbies, or colours that they like.”

For example, someone like Jikerjian, whose favourite colour is pink, might want to be surrounded by pink in their dorm room. Or, an outdoorsy type might add pieces inspired by nature, such as a chair or throw pillows featuring leaves and ferns.

Purchase only what you need, stressed Jikerjian. Don’t buy a full set of dishes and glasses, if all you need is two of each. Space is at a premium in dorm rooms — there’s no room for extra pieces that are just going to be stored.

When it comes to dishes, leave grandma’s bone china at home, Jikerjian advised. Instead, take pieces that are microwaveable and dishwasher safe.

A small rug is a must-have, said Jikerjian. “A rug instantly gives that dorm room that homey feel — it gives it that extra layer.

“You should really dress your dorm room the way you dress yourself,” she said. “Add those extra layers. And that’s what really gives it a lot of personality and character.”

A lamp is very important. Specifically, task lighting. “A lot of these students in dorm rooms tend to have roommates. And you can’t always have the lights on when you’re studying, so a task light or task lamp that focuses on your reading, on your desk, or maybe on a bedside is very, very important as well,” Jikerjian explained. “That way your roommate can sleep. You’re not bothering others.”

A laundry hamper is another important item. “We know how busy these schedules can get, and not everyone has time to do a lot of laundry. It definitely avoids having all of that clutter on your floor,” Jikerjian said.

A discount mattress topper or matress pad can really improve the comfort of a dorm bed. And throws come in handy, she said.

Before buying bedding, be sure to check the size of the beds in the dorm you’re moving into, so you get the right size sheets.

“For example, ours are long singles,” Braun pointed out. “So if you just buy a regular twin, it’ll be a bit short.

Be sure to have an extra set of bedding, both Braun and Jikerjian recommended. So you’ve got one set to put on the bed when the other set is in the laundry.

The same is true for towels. Students should have two sets. Jikerjian recommends dark towels.

“A lot of people tend to buy white towels going off because they think it’s clean. But these kids aren’t doing laundry every day. So I would definitely recommend getting a dark set of towels. And there are a lot of those out there,” she said.

Bathroom accessories are something people take for granted. Students should check what’s provided and what they’ll need to bring along.

“Think of all the different spaces that you’ve got that you’d need to shop for,” Jikerjian said.

Good storage is crucial in dorm rooms, as well.

“One of the good things is that storage has definitely evolved through the years. It’s no longer shoe boxes that we used to use when we were kids for storage,” Jikerjian said. ” There’s lots of beautiful storage solutions … There’s beautiful, brightly coloured storage right now.”

Closet organizers will come in handy. And students should check to see if the bed is high enough so the bottom can be used for storage.

Definitely get hinged or lidded boxes, Jikerjian recommended. Because that allows you to make use of your vertical space, she pointed out.

No matter how wonderful baskets can be, baskets can’t be stacked, so they’re not your best choice, she cautioned. “Always look for storage that can be stacked one on top of the other.”

Most dorm rooms have some standard issue furniture– a twin bed, a dresser, a desk and, if you’re lucky, a bookshelf.

Students like to add to the basics, as space permits.

“Furniture tends to suck up the most of your budget, because they are larger pieces, therefore being a bit more pricey,” Jikerjian pointed out.

She recommended looking for multi-use pieces of furniture. For example, if they’re looking for a bench to sit on, maybe go for a little ottoman — but make sure it’s a storage ottoman, so you can sit on it as well as use it for storage. Or, a vanity can be used as a desk and double up as a dining table.

“Make sure that your furniture has more than one use,” Jikerjian reiterated.

Communicate and co-ordinate with your roommate to avoid duplication. Dorm rooms can get cramped without doubling up on things.

And be sure to take along surge protector plugs, because there never seem to be enough electrical outlets in dorm rooms.

And don’t forget pictures! Jikerjian suggests moms surprise their university-bound son or daughter with a picture frame with a family photo, or a picture of a favourite pet, as a nice reminder of home. Or, tuck a personal object from home that means a lot to them into their dorm “essentials.”

“There’s a lot of fun stuff out there now that kids can really benefit from — great little pieces that are actually targeted for that market,” Jikerjian pointed out.

Finding just the right stuff to transform a dorm room into a home away from home is like a treasure hunt, she said. “Have fun! Enjoy it!,” she said.

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