Back to School

August 11, 2011 · Posted in Interior design trends

HGTV’s Blog recently had a gallery post on “8 Stylish Dorm Room Updates”. In it, interior designers Vanessa De Vargas, Summer Thornton and Lana Kole shared tips on creating dorm rooms that not only looked great but helped students study hard and get their work done. That got us thinking, even though the back to school season is right around the corner for many (if not already here) these tips could really extend to anyone living in smaller spaces.

Bring Diverse Styles Together

By knowing what constitutes your own design style and having an open discussion with those you’ll be sharing a room, dorm or apartment or house, it’ll be much easier to find a way to incorporate different elements that everyone likes and can live with.

Organize Your Space

With any small space, maximizing your storage is essential. Look for unused spaces (under the bed) that you can tuck bins or containers into. Layout your closet so that things stay neat, clean and organized.

Buy Pieces That Are Multifunctional

We’re noticing a big trend in pieces that serve dual purposes. The ottoman that serves as storage, extra seating and a coffee table is the perfect example, as is the bed that does double duty as a comfortable lounge sofa.

Steven Anthony Storage Ottoman

Steven Anthony Tiner Sofa Bed

Invest in Study Aids

No, we don’t mean CliffsNotes (although those were helpful)… What we’re talking about are desks and chairs. First of all, having a dedicated study space is important in keeping you focused and motivated. Having an ergonomic desk chair that’s super comfortable, and looks good, only helps and makes it easier to sit through hours of studying. And when choosing a desk, look for one that has built-in storage.

Herman Miller Sayl Work Chair

Herman Miller Eames Desk

Create a Home Away From Home

No matter whether you live in a small dorm room, or are lucky enough to have a large apartment, you want to make sure that wherever you’re living is comfortable, inviting and feels “homey”. It should be somewhere you look forward to being in and an easy way to do that is through textiles. Bedding, throw pillows and rugs are all ways to make things personal.

Yeti Rug in 'Possum'

Decorate Your Walls

Depending on where you live, you may not always have the option of painting. An alternative is removable wall decals. Found in fun and sometimes bold colors and styles, these decals are sure to make a statement. If allowed, think about large scale graphic wallpaper. It achieves the same effect while being a little more longer lasting.

Armonic Entropy Wallpaper

Make a Personal Statement With Art

Ar t is one of the easiest ways to personalize a space and it can sometimes be a great investment. It’s even better when you can support artists that are local to your area. You can hang large pieces by themselves, or lay out a collection of several smaller pieces gallery style.

Allen Levy

Maximize the Entire Space

The walls in your space are one of the best places to store things, and to maximize that you have to think vertically. Shelving is a great way to showcase accessories or books and many times you can incorporate drawers, cabinets and even lighting to keep things looking sleek and organized.