Home Sweet Home: Funky & Functional

Home Sweet Home: Funky & Functional
By Raven Rawn

Okay. So, it is not your own house, or even your own apartment. But, the dorm room you will be sharing is your private space. For at least the next year, you will spend a lot of time sleeping, studying, entertaining and eating in your dorm room. The question now is how can you make this space funky yet functional? Check out these innovative ways to make your home away from home in style.
Make a Picture Pal

Materials needed:

Colored ribbon, clothes line or thick string (a metre or so)

Sticky tape or tacks

Clothes pins or colored paper clips

Optional: glue, glitter, paint

An easy way to add color to your room, and a great conversation starter this picture holder is simple to make. First, take a good length of colored ribbon, string or clothes line (a meter or so will do.)

Then take sticky tape or tacks and hang the ribbon or string on an appropriate wall space or window frame. Next, take the clothes pins (which you can paint or dip in glue and glitter and let dry) and hang the photos on your newly assembled "picture pal."

You can easily change the pictures when you take new ones or when the mood strikes. This is an easy way to remember old times, celebrate new times and it is a great conversation starter for other new students dropping by your room.

More Funky & Functional Ideas

Glow-in-the-dark stick-on stars are an affordable way to sleep under the night sky.

Decorative paper lanterns in traditional Chinese and assorted patterns are available in most dollar or discount stores at under $10:00 for a package of three.

You know those old Back Street Boys CD's that you don't admit to having and no longer listen to? Don't throw them away. Use them as "Disco" coasters with the shiny side up. (This works especially well if you glue a circle of felt on the bottom or label side-plus it will hide the evidence of your musical mistakes)

"Diva" up your dorm room with some fur and feather trim. Fun fur and fun feather trim is sold cheaply in most craft stores and is available in a rainbow of colors. Sew or use craft glue to attach fluffy trim to throw pillows for lounging or around your blankets or even your window sill for an individual touch.

Bring the outdoors in. Plant a dorm room window box. Inexpensive and easy to maintain herb or flower boxes are self-contained and take little maintenance. This is a great way to add some life and spice to your dorm room.

You are limited only by your creativity and of course the dorm rules. Check with your Resident Advisor if you are unsure of dorm decorating guidelines.

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