Recently, the temperature has dropped suddenly.
With the upcoming exam week,
I bought a lot of things,
but found that my dorm room couldn’t fit them all.
I don’t know how to renovate,
so I can only throw things around to maintain my life.
I wonder if you are like me,
seeing others’ dorms,
and once setting a goal to renovate your dorm,
wanting to turn your own dorm into
a warm and comfortable little nest.
However, the reality is—
How should I match the wallpaper colors?
How to create a Nordic minimalist style?
Should I stick hooks on the wall or on the cabinet?
Why are there so many things to do?
Forget it, lying down comfortably is more suitable for me.
Speaking of dorm renovation, I recommend a fresh and minimalist style.After all, these two styles are versatile,and it’s hard to go wrong with colors and arrangements,even those who are not handy can completely manage it. Remember to use removable decorations to avoid causing trouble and annoyance for the next batch of students.
If you want to turn your dorm into a home, keep these three essentials in mind: wallpaper, storage, and decoration.
1. Wallpaper
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Suitable for: |
Budget-conscious individuals, lazy people, those who are not handy |
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Materials: |
Wallpaper |
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Cost: |
14-40 RMB |
This is the cheapest and most important step in the dorm renovation plan. Establishing a style and changing the main color tone is crucial. Therefore, mastering the technique of applying self-adhesive wallpaper is of utmost importance.
There are three options for applying wallpaper: one is to apply it to the desk, the second is desk + wardrobe, and the third is desk + wardrobe + wall.
Wallpaper application tips
▲ Before applying wallpaper, you must do your homework; don’t apply it blindly. Those with obsessive-compulsive disorder cannot tolerate small bubbles.
1. Make sure to clean the dirt off the desk surface before applying the wallpaper to ensure it is smooth and clean.
2. It is recommended to measure the dimensions and cut the wallpaper into pieces, applying each area slowly.
3. Don’t rush when applying; if you hurry, bubbles will form. If bubbles appear accidentally, you can prick them with a small needle and then press them flat with a smooth hard object; or prepare a scraper to smooth the wallpaper as you apply it. (Note: Be especially careful with the inner edges and corners!)
4. Design the pattern in advance; don’t end up with a “zebra” pattern.
Once you complete this key step of applying wallpaper, you will find that the entire space’s style has significantly improved! Want to achieve a Japanese minimalist style, a fresh and cozy vibe, or a Nordic style? All are possible.
With just wallpaper and some small decorative items,you can enhance the entire dorm environment.Of course, don’t try to experiment with strange styles.
2. Storage
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Suitable for: |
Budget-conscious individuals, those who are not handy, stylish boys/girls, artistic youth |
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Materials: |
Various storage boxes |
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Cost: |
30-60 RMB |
After adjusting the main color tone, the next step is to tidy up the desk. To pursue a consistent and simple aesthetic, quickly hide all the scattered small items!
Document box
It is recommended to purchase document boxes of a unified style for classification, which allows you to quickly find books without worrying about a messy cabinet. For those who need to read dozens of books and are troubled by a lack of space, buy a small bookshelf; placing the bookshelf on the side of the desk takes up no space and looks good.
Universal storage box
The top of the box can also hold various cups and commonly used items, making it highly practical. For those who have charging cables lying around, a mini cable organizer is recommended; you can also try the versatile long tail clip, which can easily manage annoying data cables.
Makeup storage box
The makeup storage box is a must-have for beauty enthusiasts, keeping bottles and jars organized and tidy, and can be customized according to your needs.
If you plan to leave an empty cabinet for cosmetics, you can make a simple curtain using cotton and linen fabric, cut it to the desired size and shape, secure it, and clip it with small clips to finish! Of course, you can also choose iron grids and storage walls based on your needs and capabilities.
3. Decoration
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Suitable for: |
Stylish boys/girls, wealthy individuals, artistic youth |
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Plants: |
5-60 RMB |
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Floor stickers / Flooring: |
100-700 RMB |
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Wardrobe layers / Storage boxes: |
40-300 RMB |
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Shoe rack: |
50-120 RMB |
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Bedding: |
100-700 RMB |
>>>Wardrobe<<<
Many people’s rooms have a chair piled high with clothes, teetering precariously. A lot of clothes fill the wardrobe; actually, you just need to renovate and divide the clothes into sections to fit a large number of items.
Three basic methods for wardrobe renovation
1
Single board layering with storage boxes
This is suitable for situations with fewer clothes. Place single board layers in the upper and lower parts of the wardrobe, then put storage boxes in the gaps. This way, the upper wardrobe holds folded and small items, the middle layer holds hanging clothes, and the lower layer holds shoes or miscellaneous items.
2
Hanging layer with storage boxes
This is suitable for more clothes. Place storage boxes on the upper and lower parts, and a hanging layer in the middle, which provides at least 1/6 more wardrobe space for clothes compared to the first method.
3
Single board layering + storage boxes + hooks
This sacrifices the hanging function of the wardrobe, utilizing the lower space with a lot of layering and storage boxes, while transferring the hanging function to the outside of the wardrobe with hooks. This maximizes the use of wardrobe space, but clothes outside the wardrobe can get dirty, so it’s best to cover them with bags.
>>>Floor stickers/Flooring<<<
Floor stickers and flooring are already considered a level of enjoyment.
Since the floor sticker shops on certain platforms have all been revamped, I can no longer find custom sizes. Currently, the sizes on certain platforms are 10 square meters per piece, while the dorm floor needs about 17-18 square meters, and 20 square meters can almost reach the bathroom door.
Flooring is really a luxury certification; a dorm room cannot be done without at least five or six hundred RMB, and the price is higher for better materials.
The benefit of having floor stickers/flooring is that you can sit on the floor, roll around freely, and even play cards.
>>>Bedding<<<
You might think that everyone hides under the covers to sleep and slack off? Wrong! When you lift the bed curtain, it feels like entering a mini attic, with a desk and a lamp ready for studying anytime, wrapped in a small blanket. Isn’t this a blessing in the cold winter?
The comfort of bedding is very important. I recommend bedding from IKEA, Zara Home, and Muji, which you can choose based on your budget. If you want something more affordable, there are more cost-effective bedding options on certain platforms; pay attention to the material, and I recommend using jersey cotton bedding. Always keep a warm blanket handy in case the weather turns cold or the air conditioning is too strong.
There are two types of bed curtains: regular bed curtains and blackout bed curtains. Regular bed curtains do not block light as well as blackout curtains, but they are cheaper, and the darker colors have decent blackout effects. Be sure to choose simple colors and styles, and stay away from popular items on certain platforms!
A small table can be either foldable or rotating, and you can place a bookshelf at the head of the bed, along with a tatami lazy chair. The table should ideally have warm light, and the overall color scheme should be warm.
>>>Shoe rack<<<
Shoe racks are generally bought when the dorm shoe cabinet cannot accommodate them, and the wardrobe is also full. It is recommended to buy bamboo or wooden assembled shoe racks, which are aesthetically pleasing and easy to clean.
>>>Plants<<<
Place a pot of plants next to your computer and watch it grow quietly, adding a lot of vitality to the dorm.
Recommended easy-to-care-for plants like cacti, aloe vera, pothos, and mint, while for flowers, I recommend long-lasting options like gypsophila and starry sky flowers.
Let me remind you of the key points for renovation:
1. Pay attention to not exceeding three colors in the overall matching.
2. Choose storage items with consistent colors to keep the desk tidy.
3. Select decorative items with a consistent style, and stay away from popular items on certain platforms.
A good dorm environment requires not only external renovation but also maintaining good relationships among dorm members.
The most important thing in dorm life is mutual tolerance and respect. Even if there are complaints and arguments, do not harbor resentment or grudges. As a part of the dorm, everyone should put in effort to manage it.
Winter Special Edition
Recently, the temperature has suddenly dropped.
In the dorm, I quickly changed to a thick quilt to survive.
But it seems that only the places that touch the body are warm.
And I still have to face the fear of getting out of bed.
It’s really too painful.
So hurry up and buy a hot water bottle.
There are also hot water bottles that can be used as cushions.
During the day, it can be used as a cushion, and at night, you can hug it to sleep.
Isn’t that wonderful?
In winter, when writing assignments, my hands are so cold that I can’t even hold a pen.
In games, I always get scolded by teammates.
A warm hand desk mat can save you.
Most desk mats are charged via USB,
so with a power bank, you can use it with your computer.
In the cold classroom, you can do whatever you want.
From the inside out, the best way to keep warm is through food.
When it’s cold, you should have a good meal.
Images from the internet
Editors | Zhang Shanshui, Luo Yuan