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THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
1B
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 2001
Warming trends
Dorm rooms transform from impersonal, cinder-blocked cells to welcoming, cozy homes with the right decorating essentials
STORY BY LAUREN BEATTY
Jill Mortiz, Columbia sophomore, is living for the second year in Hashinger Hall. Mortiz said it took her a few hours to finally get her room the way she wanted it.
Calculus it's not, b u t dorm room decorating can be a tricky subject.
ANTHONY REYES/KANSAN
What to do with concrete walls, fluorescent lighting and one giant window are the questions on students' minds when they move into the residence halls.
Fortunately, there are simple solutions. All it takes is a little cash, some vision and, of course, posters.
The floor plan
A typical residence hall room is about 10 by 12 feet, which can be cramped, especially with two people sharing living quarters.
It's easier when only one person lives in the room, like Jillian Moritz's does. Moritz, Columbia, Mo., sophomore, lives on the seventh floor of Hashinger Hall. She chose to live in a single room this year, but utilized the two beds and dressers issued to her.
"I wanted to have room for people to sit down," Moritz said. "I also wanted a table."
Mortiz chose to arrange her room like a typical living room. She said she spent about a day setting it up, but the results were worth it.
ground were much needed also.
He said that rugs on the
The walls
"Carpet is essential," he said. "You have to soften it up or you'll feel like you're in a jail cell."
Concrete walls do not make for exciting rooms, but this can be overcome with the use of posters. Posters are popular decorating tools because they can be hung using
"Cover as much white brick as you can." Console said.
Sam Montague an employee at Beyond the Wall, 939 Massachusetts St., said that many students who live in residence halls buy posters at the store.
Montague, Wichita junior, said that the
ranged from pictures of music artists like Dave Matthews to painters like abstract expressionist Wasily Kandinski. "Bob Marley with the guitar is really
more. "You've got to do something different and make it your own."
Lighting matters
Fluorescent lighting in the residence halls can have an impersonal feel. But lighting can be softer and friendlier through several ways.
Melissa Folger, Topeka junior and team leader at Target, 3201 Iowa St., said rope lighting was popular amongst students in
residence halls.
"People like to buy Christmas lights and string them up." Folger said. "Another major thing are lava lamps. Target tries to be trendy and that sets them apart from other stores."
Crista Burk of Fine Design, 915 Iowa St., recommends the use of lamps. She said
that hanging fabric over lamps also could soften lighting. Comfort zone
The hardest part of dorm decorating may be making the space feel like home. Moritz said she brought photographs to make her space more comfortable.
Burk said to bring blankets and rugs from home to ease the transition to residence-hall life. But no matter what the
But no matter what the decor, residence halls may never equal the familiar feeling of home.
Jessica Penca, Peoria, Ill., sophomore, and Hashinger resident, said she didn't think her room felt like home.
"Dorm rooms are pretty gross. I just sleep there," Penca said.
Contact Beatty at 864-4810
Austin Linn, Gardner, Col., sophomore, decorated his room a little more Spartan than others, but he enjoys having the whole room to himself.
ANTHONY BEYES/KANSAN
RESIDENCE HALL ESSENTIALS:
Lava lamp - $29.99. Available in yellow and blue or red and purple Cheeta-print pillow $9.99.
Furry accent rug - $29.99 Available in purple, blue turquoise, white, pink and lime.
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Leaf-printed picture frames $12.99.
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