A dorm room is one of the first chances you get to assert your design sense as a young adult. It's also a little daunting, considering it's all temporary and must be vacated in 9 months. With a little help from The Container Store and Target, here are a few ideas for making it fun and easy:

Instead of painting murals on the wall, which is usually verboten in most dorms, try creating art on 1/4" luan mahogany or foam core panels which, when mounted will look like murals, but will be easily removed and installed at home or in your dorm room for sophomore year. Ours is a big colorful sun.

Bulletin boards or magnet boards are a great way to keep ideas in front of you. They also create a graphic wall treatment when used in plural.

Shower curtains make great draperies for very little money.

Storage lockers are a great way to keep stuff tucked away in a cheerful way. Ours are bright silver and we're also using them as table surfaces.

Scatter rugs are perfect for dorm living. They can be used in multiples and will protect the feet from the harsh linoleum tile usually featured in dorm rooms. They're available very cheaply in a variety of styles in lots of places.

Another room divider idea is a Venetian blind - use it in the middle of the room or between beds to temporarily separate spaces.

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