That time of the year is upon us again: college move-in. For many parents, it is an emotional time filled with hope, dreams and for some, lots of tears. It’s never easy watching your “babies” grow up and start the journey of life on their own for the first time. That’s why ensuring your college kid’s dorm room is their comfort zone is important.

The dorm room is a student’s home away from home. It is possible to make the blank slate of a space feel more home-y (while still ensuring that they come back home for breaks). Here are some of our tips to help them show off their style and personality in their new home.

Decorative Bedding

The beds are the focal points of a dorm room. Bedding is a great way to showcase your child’s style. Have fun choosing the perfect extra long twin sheets, comforter, decorative pillows and other bedding necessities like mattress pads. Even though they may spend many all-nighters studying in the library, making sure their bed is as cozy as possible will make a major difference in adjusting to their new surroundings.

Clutter Concealers

Dorm rooms are notoriously small and students generally share the space with at least one roommate. Conceal clutter by using storage pieces such as under-the-bed boxes, a storage ottoman, slim hangers and closet storage accessories. Don’t forget to buy things to keep the papers, pens, notebooks and other supplies organized on their desk.

Cover the Walls

Most schools won’t allow students to paint the walls of your dorm room, but there are other ways to enhance a bland white wall. Frame posters, art and personal photos that shows off their personality. You can also put up wall decals or removable wallpaper, just make sure to take it down at the end of the year.

Extra Lighting

Dorm rooms often have fluorescent lighting. To create a home-like feel, use floor lamps, desk lamps or table lamps instead of the main lights for a room.

Curtains

Curtains make any room feel more like home. If you are allowed to install a curtain rod, purchase curtains for the space. After stressful midterms or late-night projects, these curtains also block out light better than blinds – allowing your student to get even better sleep on the weekends.

Follow C21JFC on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn to keep up with the latest home tips, real estate news and resources across DFW. Subscribe to our monthly newsletter, Real Estate 411 here.