6 Tips to Help You Make Your Dorm Room Feel Like Home

Getting ready to move into a dorm room is a big step for everyone in your family. You'll have a blank space to decorate, make your own, and, hopefully, bring a cozy feel of home to. Here are six tips to help you make your dorm room feel like more than temporary housing and more like a real home.

Warmth can go a long way to helping you feel cozy and at home, yet many dorm rooms are naturally lacking in this area. Add a thick rug to the floor to help brighten it up while adding a touch of warmth. Long drapes on windows can help too, and at least minimize the miniblinds that came standard with your room.

You may not get to spend as much time sleeping as you would like when you are in college, but that doesn't mean you should neglect the look and feel of your bed. Instead, maximize the quality of your sleep by investing in a high-quality mattress topper and pad. They aren't the same, so you should study the difference between a mattress pad vs topper.

Toppers add depth and comfort to your bed, generally by incorporating layers of foam into their design. On the other hand, Mattress pads tend to be thinner and mostly serve to help keep your mattress (and topper) clean. While you are focusing on your bed area, think about adding extra pillows and a quilt to snuggle up in.

The kitchen is the heart of the home, and it can also help create a feeling of home in a dorm room. Designate a kitchen area for food and cooking supplies. Everything from your microwave and refrigerator to the hot plate and coffee maker can go here. Creative cabinets or shelving can give it a built-in feel, masking its temporary status.

They do, after all, say a thousand words. Use photos that remind you of friends and family back home, or favorite places you've visited. You will not only surround yourself with familiar places and people, but you will also give your roommate and new friends a look into your past.

Clever use of baskets can help keep clutter down in a space-conscious dorm room. Larger baskets are great for things like throw blankets and bedding. Littler items can be corraled into small baskets that help you stay organized and on top of where everything is.

Baskets don't just have to sit on the floor or a shelf either. Look for creative hooks and hangers so you can take them vertically. This can add an interesting visual element and make the most use of your space.

Sure, lighting is a functional aspect of your dorm room. Of course, you want to see your computer and textbooks. It can be so much more than that, though. String lights can add a hint of warmth to your favorite areas in the room. Use easy to remove hooks or clips, so that they don't leave any marks when you take them down.

Use easy to remove hooks or clips so that they don't leave any marks when you take them down. Clip lights can help save space while brightening up dark corners like the space under your bed. If you struggle to get out of bed in the morning, a daylight alarm might help.

Lights can also help if you think you are going to miss the feeling of coming home to a warm welcome. Get creative and use timers to make sure there is always a light on when you get back after classes.

Moving into a dorm is a big step for many young adults. Taking a few steps to help create a cozy and functional space can help make it a step in the right direction.