HOME DECOR: The College Apartment

There are certain advantages to having an interior decorator for a mom.

Just ask my son, who took full advantage of that fact when I took him to school, out of state, last month.

When the bed turned out to be a double/full size instead of the twin we had linens for,

we quickly realized a shopping trip was needed.

Picture a small college bedroom - 4 white walls, a window with white blinds, fairly new speckled brown carpeting, the smallest wooden desk in the world - and a full size mattress on metal bedframe.

Boring, Boring, Boring.

At least it was clean.

But for a few dollars spent wisely at Target, WalMart and TJMaxx,

and a few things from the home decor discount stores and sale finds,

we turned it into a very warm and inviting space.

We already had the chocolate and navy pillows from Pier One. We found a full-size chocolate bedspread at BedBath and Beyond, on the 50% off rack, along with a bedskirt for 75% off.

We found the navy drapes at BBandB as well, also on sale.

Don't you just love a sale.

We folded his warm blanket at the bottom of the bed, ready for cooler nights to come.

The Ed Hardy style artwork was an item he had at this last apartment.

The flag is from Brazil

Last semester I purchased the table

(actually a plant stand, but works well with the added height to the bed from risers)

and lamp at Home Goods, along with the burled wood bowl.

The wood and twig theme brought a more masculine flavor to the room.

 

We pulled up the bedskirt here to show how placing the bed on risers (WalMart) created storage space beneath for our two storage drawers (Bed,Bath and Beyond).

The smallest desk in the world holds his lap top and charging station, a desk lamp - and little else. Eventually he will have to study here - although I'm not quite sure how! Above the desk is a bulletin board to post notes, with some reminders of home, friends and Brazil.

We found this little bookcase at Target for only $60. 

Although we did have to put it together, James and his roommates made quick work of it.

It holds his books, supplies and printer effortlessly.

A shoe rack on the back of the door frees up closet floor space for his guitar and laundry basket.

And after all that work, can you guess what his favorite thing in the room is???

The photos don't do it justice. It really is very warm and inviting - almost like home.

Do you have questions about your kids dorm rooms or apartments? Ideas to share?

 Please comment and let us know all about your solutions to 4 bare walls and homes away from home.