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Plan before purchasing

Where to Begin

Start Big and Choose A Theme

Start with the biggest item in the room -- the bed. Not only will it be a main hang out for lounging, reading, and sleeping, it's a major piece of furniture in what's probably a less than spacious abode.

Find a comforter that will mesh with your theme. Try looking online for dorm decor, or at the many discount stores such as Target, KMart, TJ Maxx, Marshalls, Ross, and the large linen outlets to find "your" pattern. Then buy it, but don't purchase every last matching item. (After all, those Simpsons sheets may be the rage today, but could be "out" by the time you're a junior.) Coordinate comforter patterns with solids or stripes in sheets, bedskirts, and pillows.

For those of you who look ahead, try purchasing a simple white down comforter, then buy (or make) one or two colorful duvet covers. In four years you'll still have the comforter and can upgrade the duvet covers to new choices. Smart! No wonder you got into this school.

Once you've got the theme, the comforter, and your color scheme in place, it's time to fill out your purchases with more useful, practical, and theme-related items.

Remember, it doesn't cost any more to have COLOR , so if you love orange, then look for orange sheets, storage boxes, and wastebaskets. Remember too that you can add interest to mostly neutral schemes such as off-white, brown, black, or gray by bringing in bits of an accent color (like red, cobalt, or fuschia).

If you can, consider painting at least one wall to add some color and interest. Or, see of your dorm allows stick up wallpaper designs that are removeable, from Wallies® wallpaper cutouts. At around $10 a pack they are an inexpensive and easy way to spice up your space, and will add color, theme interest, and a unique style for the year, yet will be easy to remove when you at the end of the term.

The point is, GO FOR IT with your decor. Don't settle for plain and boring when there is so much out there that is fun, colorful, and new.

You probably have your own ideas on what will make a great room. One Freshman at San Diego noted that his ideal dorm room would include movie posters, black lights, a great sound system, and lava lamps. What will yours include??

Have Fun with Accessories

Make your room

totally GREAT
totally outrageous
totally YOURS !