How to Make Your Dorm Room Feel Like Home

by Team i

Living in dorms is one of the key experiences as a first year student, however often the divide between home and campus life becomes very prominent. Since for many, going home frequently to get that comfort isn’t possible, why not bring that comfort on campus!? In this blog we have provided you with a short list of things that will definitely make your dorm feel more like your comfort place instead of a hospital room.

 

However, quite often you might end up bringing things that are honestly not required, and often are already available in your dorm room, so we have also listed things you should probably leave at home.

 

Remember minimalism is key to a comfortable living space in dorms!

Things to bring for comfort:

❖     Mattress pad - It can be said that the mattresses at Penn State may not be the most comfortable, so grabbing a mattress pad can make it so much better. There are tons of different types that you can buy to be similar to your mattress at home. If you’re used to sleeping on memory foam, then purchase a memory foam mattress pad! You’ll be surprised how much sleeping on it will make you feel like you’re sleeping in your bed at home.

❖     Fans - Some of the dorms at Penn State are unrenovated, meaning they do not have air conditioning.  Even though State College doesn’t stay warm for very long during the school year, these buildings can still remain hot and stuffy during the colder months.  So a fan is necessary to keep your room cool and comfortable!

❖     Chair cover - Penn State provides a chair and a desk which is nice but the chair is pretty uncomfortable.  Bringing a soft pillow or pad for your chair can make it a lot easier to work at your desk for an extended period of time.

❖     Pictures & decor - Covering your walls in pictures of your friends and family and other decor that reminds you of home can help you feel as though they are not as far away. Having that familiarity and putting up decorations that represent you will make Penn State feel like a home away from home.

❖     Cozy comforter and pillows - Having a cozy comforter and throw pillows will make your room even more like home. You’ll want to curl up after a long day of walking to classes in the winter and having these things will make that possible. Just don’t go to the extreme on the pillows because you still need room to sleep!

❖     Extension cords - There are few outlets in a door room and you’ll discover just how many things you may need plugged in at once. Bring extension cords so that you don’t have to be frustrated with not being able to charge your computer and make ramen at the same time!

❖     Air freshener - Having an air freshener in your room is super important. They can be especially helpful in creating a better atmosphere in your dorm because it keeps the air smelling fresh even if you haven’t had the time to clean. They can also come in handy if you or your roommate microwaves a meal or brings food back to the dorm.

❖     Lighting - Make sure to have a small lamp for your table as the main room light can often be harsh. It is recommended to buy a lamp with charging ports and stationary storage attached to it.

 Consider avoiding getting these:

❖     Extra chair - Your dorm room is already pretty small so an extra chair can make it feel claustrophobic and difficult to get around.  Plus you are already provided a chair so an extra is probably overkill.

❖     Too many throw pillows - Having lots of pillows is a great way of making your bed extra comfy. However, it becomes difficult when having to make your bed every morning, especially if you’re running late to class. Having 2-3 throw pillows is recommended since you can still make your bed cozy without spending a lot of time organizing them.

❖     Mirrors - Every Dorm usually comes with one tall mirror, so you won’t have to worry about bringing your own!

❖     Too many clothes- Depending on which hall you’re living in, the size of your closets and dressers may vary. It is important to bring basics that you can wear by mixing and matching all throughout the semester. One way to optimize the space in your closets is by having a warm and cold weather set of clothes. For the colder months, pack your warm weather clothes into storage bins under your bed or in your closet. This allows for more room for heavier coats and jackets that you will probably be wearing for a majority of your first year at Penn State. You’ll also be receiving a lot of free merch throughout the semester so you’ll also want to have space for that!

❖     Quick cooking appliances - Since you are not provided with a personal kitchen (however, there would be one in a common area in your building) you might have considered bringing multiple quick cooking appliances (such as an egg cooker, air fryer, blender, coffee machine, etc). Refrain from getting too many of these appliances as they take up quite a lot of space however if it’s an absolute must for you to have them then it’s recommended that you and your roommate co-ordinate and split the appliances so there aren’t too many cluttering the room.