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BY ALEXANDRA RODRIGUEZ

In print | Published November 19, 2009

The average dorm room is typically a cramped, unadorned space. But a dorm can serve as functional art, offering a malleable canvas for self-expression Anyone can create a unique, individualized sanctuary by fusing both aesthetic and practical elements when designing.

For instance, take the typical Swarthmore student who spends hours buried in the depths of McCabe. This student runs the risk of possible combined fluorescent light overdose (common symptoms include headache, gaunt expression and squinty red eyes), and uncomfortable, wooden desk chair syndrome (soreness in the neck, spinal and posterior regions.) This student might benefit from a room with muted lighting and a comfy bed, a space for restorative relaxation.

Optimum dorm room design can be as intricate or as effortless as you want it to be, as long as you create a place you can call home. Here are tips you might consider when revamping your current space — most have been handpicked from a number of interior design blogs and websites, although I’ve included some of my own suggestions as well.

1. SEEK SMALL SPACE STORAGE
· Space is an uncommon luxury in college dorms. When it comes to organizing, IKEA and Target are your best options, acclaimed by designers and students alike for their affordable storage solutions.

· Bed risers are essential in providing additional storage space, and some dorms on campus have beds that can be raised on their own. Invest in a queen-size comforter or quilt, which drapes nicely over the side of the bed, hiding away unsightly storage bins and boxes.

· Instead of your run-of-the-mill plastic bins, use a vintage suitcase (or hatboxes) to store papers and folders

2. SCAVENGE FOR SECOND-HAND
· Nothing says dorm quite like a futon. Try scouring estate sales and second-hand antique shops or vendors for quirky, easily updatable furniture in a wide range of styles, sizes and prices. (If you choose to opt for a futon, try covering it with a nice sheet or blanket and some throw pillows)

· Quirky trinkets (a souvenir from a trip, knickknacks from home, or just a random thrift store purchase) add visual interest and also serve as conversation pieces.

· Be practical. Size matters in dorms, and spaces can easily feel claustrophobic — not cozy — with too much furniture or with too much going on overall.

· Even the most austere dorm room can suddenly become stylish and appealing when certain textiles are paired well together. There are some rules when it comes to mixing patterns; odd numbers, for instance, typically seem to work best — especially groups of three when choosing patterns and colors.

· Large-scale printed fabric allows for more freedom when it comes to mixing and matching patterns and colors. Mix and match medium-sized prints with a smaller selection of different colors, and small prints with only a couple different colors, or simply mix different patterns in the same color. For a simple, contemporary look, mix two basic solids (colors, black or white) and add in a pillow or two in a printed fabric dyed in one of these colors.

3. ATTRACTIVE ACCENTS

· Placing a soft rug next to your bed will help make waking up in the morning a little less daunting (especially in winter or in rooms without carpeting)

· Fear not, roommates suffering from antithetical tastes — you don’t have to match! Play up as many contrasts or similarities as you can, and view this as a bonding opportunity of sorts

· Decorative lighting, artwork, and photographs of family and friends add warmth to any room and conjure happy memories.

Your room is where you begin and end the day. Though it is an extension of individuality, a dorm room should always fulfill its primary objective — providing a cozy place where you can unwind and relax, unimpeded.

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