GRANDVILLE, Mich.,––There are so many colleges in and around Grand Rapids that it's almost hard to keep track! Grand Valley State, GRCC, Calvin, Davenport, Aquinas, Kendall Art & Design, Kuyper, and many more are all beginning classes soon if they haven't yet. If you're entering into college as as a freshman there's a chance you'll have to stay in the dorms, or a small apartment with lots of rules on what you can and can't do. This lifestyle change can be a bit stressful, but no worries! We've got a few dorm hacks for new college students that'll have you feeling at home and ready to take on your classes and everything else higher education has to offer.
1. Use a Rolling Cart to Store Small Items
These carts can be found at almost any home goods store and are perfect for storing smaller items. You could use it in the bathroom for toiletries, near your kitchen area for coffee cups and food, or in your closet for undergarments. The wheels on these carts make it really easy to slide them out of sight when it's time to clean up.
2. Make Your *Everything* Look Great with Washi Tape
Washi tape is a semi-transparent Japanese tape made for crafts, but you can use it almost anywhere! The best thing about Washi tape is that it peels off easy making it the ideal solution for decorating walls, desks, doors, and other items you don't own (i.e. all your dorm furniture). Washi tape is relatively cheap and comes in a wide variety of colors, patterns, and styles.
3. Find Space for Storage with Bed Risers
While some dorms only have room for a set of bunk beds, many have beds placed on the floor leaving little to no space for storage. These little bed risers are one of the easiest hacks that can provide you room for storing clothes, shoes, books, etc. You can find bed lifts at most home good stores or online. We recommend looking for risers with USB or power outlets within for easier device charging access.
4. Create a Cozy Space with a Tapestry
A tapestry isn't just for the hippy college student, it's a great option for decorating for all type of students! It's essentially a thin sheet with some sort of design on it that doesn't need to be nailed, glued, or permanently fixed to the wall (as you can see in the image below). Check out Society6 or Urban Outfitters for some really cool, artsy tapestries that can help you cover up that ugly dorm wall and create a cozy space worth coming home to.
5. Use Hanging Organizers for Storage
We can't tell you enough how hard it is to find storage in a dorm room! You never know what sort of items your roommate will bring along, and how your stuff fits in the room until you get there. Prepare with a few hanging organizers, and don't be afraid to repurpose things you have like this shower caddy storage idea below. Floor, cabinet, and drawer space will be limited so get creative with wall storage.
6. Keep Your Room Fresh Without Burning Candles
Most dorm rooms don't allow candles, hot plates, and other items that could potentially create a fire. You can keep your room fresh by putting Febreze car air fresheners on your air vents, taping dryer sheets to the back of a fan, and letting fresh air in. Many buildings still don't have air conditioning so you might need to keep your windows open, but don't worry the warm summer weather isn't long lasting after you move in!
7. Prepare for Life Without a Stove Top or Oven
If you're living in the dorms, chances are you have a meal plan, but there will be times you'll need to eat late at night, early in the morning before class, or otherwise when the cafeterias aren't open. You can always nom on Ramen noodles if you want to, but you don't have to settle either. Find ways to make full meals and snacks with what you have. Check these dorm room recipes out!
Whether you're headed to Grand Valley State University or a university outside of Grand Rapids, we hope these dorm room hacks for new college students serve you well! Your education should always come first, so use these tips to make your dorm room the ideal place to do studying and homework. If you're in need of a vehicle to pack all your belongings into or to drive throughout the year here in the Grand Rapids area, come see us at RiverTown Honda. We work with all sorts of budgets, including that of a college student, and we'll never push to get you to buy something out of your financial reach. Learn why the RiverTown Honda experience is different, and start searching for your new car in our new, used, or certified pre-owned inventory. Best of luck this school year!
Give RiverTown Honda a call at (877) 236-9113, or visit us at 4260 Kenowa Ave. Grandville, MI 49418, one mile west of RiverTown Mall.
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