Going off to college or university and being on your own for the first time is an exciting experience. You want your dorm room to express your personality and give you that warm homey feeling while you’re away from the comforts of your home. Whether you have your own room or a shared space you need to personalize it to your needs.

Before you head out shopping, make a budget and plan your space based on what you need. Design and art students need more space and storage for supplies, whereas an IT student might be fine with just a computer table and a bookshelf. Either space can be fun and personalized. Think about the mood you want to create in the dorm room. Do you like bright colourful spaces or do you prefer a more Zen-like clean lines?

Dorm rooms can often be small which makes organization key. Invest in items that double as storage or have more than one function; like an ottoman that doubles as storage or a futon that pulls out into a bed.

Here are some of our top picks for making your room functional yet chic.

The eclectic Lawson cabinet can be used as a dresser and as a bonus comes with drawer space for extra storage. This stylish piece will absolutely jazz up any room. Another easy way to spice up a room is with colour but, it doesn’t necessarily have to come from the paint. Bright cushions or even a duvet can add that splash of colour without overpowering a small space. This Woodland duvet is made from 100% organic cotton which is important as it is breathable and easy to wash.

Rugs are a great way to warm up a space, add some colour and give the room a finished, cohesive look. Try the Nolan Peacock rug for that punch of colour; the best part is that when it gets grimy you can just toss it in the washing machine. Another must-have piece for a dorm is an ottoman. It works as great seating and there’s extra storage under the seat. You can group a few of these KSP ottomans together and turn it into a coffee table or simply collapse them and hide them under the bed when you need more room.

Our final pick for the perfect dorm room is the Chalkboard Frame-Memo Board as it as great way to keep you organized and on top of all those projects and deadlines. You can write yourself little reminder notes, put up some pictures of the family and  tack up your lists with a magnet all in one handy spot, or you can just use it for a daily doodle. We hope these tips make you more confident about decorating your first space away from home.

For other decorating ideas and how-to’s check out our blogs or get answers to your specific questions on www.facebook.com/interiorsbyartofliving/

These items can be bought at

Pier 1 Lawson Cabinet:

Pottery Barn Woodland Organic Duvet Cover and Sham

Crate & Barrel Nolan Peacock Rug

Kitchen Stuff Plus KSP Sit Collapsible storage Ottoman

Crate & Barrel Chalkboard Frame-Memo Board with Magnets