Get creative with dorm room decorating ideas
Moving into a dorm is an essential part of student life. However, since you'll be living in your dorm for quite some time, maybe you should think about how to decorate your room to suit your own personal style. After all, the cinderblock and two-by-four shelving thing is pretty much done now. By approaching your decorating project with some initiative, you can make your dorm room a home away from home.
Give new ideas a "thumbs up"
Start by "liking" interior design magazines on Facebook to keep a constant stream of inspiration coming into your news feed. Dwell, Frame Magazine, Metropolitan Home and Freshome Magazine are all excellent sources of new decorating and design ideas. See a concept you like but don't like the price tag? Then get creative! Take the ideas you come across in fancy interior design magazines and adapt them to suit your budget. After all, there's no need to spend $500 on a new desk lamp when you can find a similar-looking one at Target for a fraction of the cost, right?
A little bird told you...
So you're already reading blogs, keeping an eye on your new Facebook idea factory and adapting designs to suit your budget. However, there are even more ways to find funky new ideas for decorating your dorm room before you start degree programs.
Just about everyone uses Twitter these days, and you should, too. Follow the owners of sites like The Shabby Nest, Frugal Decor Mom and Pretty Frugal Pretties to get inspirational tips, tricks and ideas for transforming your plain dorm room into an inviting personal space. Plus, by using Twitter, you can share your ideas and become an overnight internet celebrity. OK, maybe not...
Put a pin in it
When it comes to using social media for dorm room decorating ideas, we've saved the best for last. Relative newcomer Pinterest wins hands-down for helping you define your personal space and bring a personal touch to your digs.
Pinterest allows you to browse, discover and share images from around the web and "pin" them to virtual pinboards. You can search for design ideas by category or see what other users are pinning to their own boards. Plus, if you're a Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox user, you can add a handy little Pinterest button to your browser, so when you come across an innovative shelving idea or cute little bedspread, you can pin it to your virtual pinboard in a single click.
Using Pinterest to come up with dorm room decorating ideas has taken off in a major way in the past year, meaning you'll never be short of inspiration. And, of course, you can share your boards on Twitter and Facebook.
