When I was a freshman college, I was fortunate enough to live in an apartment-style dorm, where 2 students each had their own room and shared the living and kitchenette space. Thank goodness for that, too, because I was one of the messiest people in the world and my roommate was the opposite.
I heard so many horror stories from my friends who had to share a space with their roommates, usually people they didn’t know prior to college. While sharing a living/eating/breathing space is commonplace for college campuses, it doesn’t mean that you can’t have your privacy when you’re in your dorm.
In fact, there are a few things you can do to ensure that you and your roommate can have time away from one another when you’re in the same room. It’s all about utilizing space. Read on for some tips on how to separate space in a shared dorm.
Hack your dorm furniture
All of the furniture that’s in your dorm is easy to hack. For instance, if you have a bunk bed, simply take out the bottom bed and replace it with a computer desk. Move the other bed to a different side of the room. There are so many storage opportunities on the square footage of your bunk.
Utilize wall space
Invest in some wall mirrors-it can open up a space and trick the eye. Plus, we all need to check our faces before we leave for an early morning class. Hang as much as you can on your bare-white, cold walls (backpacks, hats, scarves, whatever) and use any leftover space for a calendar or an “inspiration board” where you can hang! pictures, magazine cutouts, or love letters.
Divide the space
Even though you’re sharing a living space, that doesn’t mean there can’t be “sections” to your dorm. Divide your space with a room divider, or just use a plant or other piece of furniture to mimic one. You can even hang some fabric or curtains for a more dramatic feel.
Place furniture accordingly
Using a bookshelf of computer desk as a room divider is clever, but stacking a bookshelf on top of a computer desk is even cleverer. If you have enough room, set up a “private area” in your dorm by placing a loveseat underneath a top bunk bed and putting curtains around the bottom. That way, when you need your privacy you have it. Also, the loveseat is hidden when you want it to look more spacious.
Eliminate clutter
A messy room will make a space look smaller than it actually is. Whatever furniture you add to the dorm, make sure that it serves a dual purpose. It should also offer storage. Think about all of the stuff you bring to college, and the more you’ll accumulate throughout the year. You’re going to need more than a tiny closet to store everything.
