For many college students, dorm life is an introduction to independent living — their very first "home away from home." And as exciting as this chapter is, it's also a challenge: How do you turn one room into a work, sleep and hangout space? We got some advice from decor pros: 1 Check in with your roommate First, make sure you and your roommate(s) are on the same page. "Talk to your roommate and make a plan for who's bringing what," advises Lauren Phillips, associate editorial director at Better Homes & Gardens.
"Letting everyone feel like they have a say in the room can go a long way towards building a strong relationship." 2 Seek out more details Find out more about the building and room you're moving into. "Does it have a semi-private bathroom or a hall bath? Are the walls bare cement blocks or plaster?" Phillips says.
"Shop to the space you're actually moving into." 3 Stay closer to the ground Think twice about a loft or bunk bed. "It's fun for a few days or weeks, but by fall break, you'll regret having to climb up a ladder to go to bed every night," Phillips says.
She does recommend raising the bed enough to allow for under-bed storage. In any case, bring a mattress pad for some added softness and cleanliness. 4 Find places for your stuff Set aside the space and budget for storage needs.
Prioritize things like hanging rods that double your closet's capacity, over-door shoe racks, stacking bins and those under-bed organizers. 5 Power up Bring plenty of chargers and pow.