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Dorm decorating 101

Posted on Jun 03, 2008 in Features

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Imagine move-in day at your new university. After a long and stressful day of hauling in boxes and clothes and dealing with parents on the verge of tears, everything is now in place. You’ve met your roommates and gotten your room just the way you want it. However, one thing is missing. You’re in the dark because you forgot to put a lamp on the extensive list of things to bring.

Although students moving into student housing are provided with a list of suggested items to bring, it’s what students don’t usually think of that can make all the difference.

“Some common items new college students forget to bring when moving on campus include cleaning supplies and surge protectors for their various electronic items,” according to former Blount Hall Resident Assistant Stephanie Days.

“I’ve also seen students forget obvious things like shower curtains- thinking they’re already included in the room.”
Lighting is also a essential. UAB residence halls do not provide much lighting in bedrooms or common rooms.
“Lamps are a good item to bring also because oftentimes the rooms are not lit very well for studying purposes,” Days said.

Students living in Rast, Blount and Camp halls should also consider bringing cooking utensils such as dishes, pots and pans. Unlike Blazer Hall, students in these residential halls are provided with a stove. Blazer Hall residents can still bring things for the kitchen. Forks, spoons, other eating utensils and food storage items can come in handy when it’s time to reheat leftovers. Residents should also bring items that help organize their space.

“A shoe rack is a very good idea. Space in residence halls is very limited and I know I have a ton of shoes. So a shoe rack helps to eliminate clutter and keep organization at the same time,” Days said.

Organizational items can also double as a great way to decorate a room.

“I have found that a bulletin board is also a big help to keep myself organized and/or a creative way to hang pictures of friends and family,” she said.

New residents may want to bring a first-aid kit for little emergencies.

Days also advises that “some other extra things that are not on the previous list that I personally recommend including are a medicine box. School can sometimes be a headache or you can suddenly get sick. It always helps to have an aspirin on hand.” Students should also think about bringing helpful household items.

“Another thing that I think students should think about is a plunger. You never know when you might need it,” said former Blazer Hall Resident Assistant Victoria Towner.

Decorative items should not be ignored. Decorating their rooms can bring the comforts of home and give students an outlet to showcase their creativity. Things like posters, pillows or just great items from home can turn an ordinary room into a personal oasis after a long day of classes. Students can also bring some small pieces of furniture like chairs and rugs, but they should be mindful of the available space.

“Just remember when you bring extra furniture that there is already furniture in the room, and you can not remove it,” Towner said.

One item students should avoid using in their rooms is cinderblocks-sometimes used to raise the height of low beds, they can be potentially dangerous. Bedlifts, available at many retail stores, are a welcome alternative. Plus, they’re not as heavy, dangerous or expensive. According to the Student Housing office, students that leave cinderblocks after moving out will be charged.

While it’s great to be prepared and have all the comforts of home, Student Housing warns against bringing too much. Students are encouraged to do as much with the limited space as they can.

“I would say just to make the room as homey and comfortable as possible.

Depending on the person and their major, a student usually spends most of their time in their room, so I believe it makes the room a better atmosphere if it feels like home,” Days said.