Do your dorm in style

Student and store reps share their tips for living life in close quarters

Khristi Zimmeth / Special to The Detroit News

When 18-year-old Olivia Kornack of Sterling Heights heads to East Lansing next month to start her freshman year at Michigan State, she'll take with her high hopes, fresh school supplies, new bedding and furniture -- and plenty of advice from her big sister Jordan, an MSU junior.

Among Jordan's many tips is how to survive -- even thrive -- in a dorm room.

"Living in small spaces can be very tough, especially when you're used to living in your own bedroom at home," Jordan says. "Most people aren't used to sharing rooms, so college can be a big adjustment."

Space-saving double-duty items are must-haves, she says. "I had a futon that doubled as storage and a relaxation space and an ottoman that was hollow where I put my towel and other things," she remembers. Other essentials: a television, fridge, microwave, desk lamp and an area rug to cover the cold tile floors.

Luckily for Olivia and other college-bound students, there's plenty to choose from in catalogs and at area stores -- and at prices that, unlike college tuition, won't have you paying loans for years to come. Pottery Barn recently introduced its first "PB dorm" collection, www.pbteen.com/dorm, with bright bedding, trunks that double as coffee tables and extra seating, even furry string lights and wall murals with scenes of mountains, surfing dogs and Hawaiian beaches. Many items feature free shipping.

Sabrina Soto, HGTV designer and Target spokeswoman, says students should give extra consideration to bedding. "A good night's sleep is essential when dealing with early classes and a lot of homework," she says. "Bright, geometric bedding is versatile and modern and will lend a chic vibe to even the blandest of rooms. Don't forget extra throw pillows for lounging." Another tip: Duvet covers and pillows with removable covers are easily washed when needed, which keeps things looking fresh longer.

Other double-duty items at Target this fall include a turquoise trunk with faux-croc trim ($39.99) or a mini fridge with a handy dry-erase door ($89), also available at Target.com.

Ikea has hundreds of ideas to help students in dorms live smart. "The challenge is always to keep coming up with new products that have double and triple functions," says Janet Vanderlugt, a spokesperson for Ikea in Canton Township. "Dorm rooms have to be a living room, home office and mini kitchen all at the same time."

Things that fit the bill include their Expedit bookcase, a 5-foot by 5-foot-cube that can be used as both storage and room divider or the $199 Beddinge sofa bed that serves as a couch, bed or study spot. "A lot of dorms come with a bed but students often have the option of taking their own," she says. "The best answer is a loft bed or some type that uses vertical space well so a desk or sofa bed fits underneath."

Gray is the hot new neutral color according to Vanderlugt. She suggests using it as a base color and layering brights such as orange, pink or blue. Adding your favorite colors is a great way to make a dorm feel more like home, she says. Jordan Kornack also suggests taking photographs of friends and family. "I decorated my walls with frames, and taped up pictures of people and things I loved. It made me feel better on the days I was lonely or homesick."

Photos, plants and other accessories can help express personal style. "I brought a colorful rug, wall decals, bright-colored flower vases, throw blankets, decorative pillows and other things that made me feel like I was sitting in my room at home," Kornack says. "Living in the dorm sometimes feels like a hotel you never leave, but bringing things that feel like home helps you adjust."

"In the end, the best advice I really have for my sister or anyone else is to keep an open mind, be patient and respectful, and have a fun time getting used to college life," Kornack says. "The first year of college is probably one of the best. It's great having the freedom to not clean up after yourself or stay up until whatever hours of the morning or put whatever you want on the walls. It is hard moving away from home and is initially a huge adjustment, but if you take the time to take it all in, make the place your own and enjoy the freedom, you'll have a great time."

Khristi Zimmeth is a Metro Detroit freelance writer and Homestyle's Trash or Treasure columnist.