FRISCO — College students usually can't fit much into dorm rooms. So in this week's Monday Makeover, here are some tips to maximize that limited space.
"When you are in college in your dorm room, you know that there are a not a whole lot of ways to express yourself," said April Berg of Ikea. "One of the best ways to do this is actually get some really fun bedding."
Bright bedding with changeable covers can personalize a small, sterile dorm room. And underneath the mattress is an often-overlooked space that can be used for storage drawers.
"Normally you only have one dresser, and most of the time you have to share it with your roommate, so it is a really great item for you to buy," Berg said.
Other space-savers include furniture that does double-duty, like a loft bed that has room for a living area underneath; or multi-functional desks.
"If you are in a smaller apartment, space is going to be key, and so is cost," Berg said while demonstrating such a desk. "This one, these sides go down, and you can use it as a desk when you don't need it as a dining room table."
Simple bookshelves can be used to hold TVs, files and more. "You can actually attach several like we have here," Berg said. "They can attach to the wall; you can set them up separately on the floor."
She suggested another multi-purpose dorm room staple: simple crates. "It is a great way to kind of hide things," Berg said.
Experts say one must-have item for any dorm room is an adequate lamp, to help prevent eyestrain while studying.
E-mail tfoster@wfaa.com
