Students have finished the stressful process of moving in, lugging countless bags and boxes up stairs or—if you’re lucky enough—elevators, so now it’s finally time to decorate! Whether you’re in a dorm or apartment, it can be challenging to find affordable and functional decor that fills your space. To make that process easier, here are some tips I’ve learned over the years as a senior and veteran decorator.
1. Add Lighting and Lamps
To make a space feel more homey, lighting is especially important. If you’re living in a dorm with bright fluorescent overhead lights, you may want to look into getting a floor or table lamp. A great place to look for reused lamps is local thrift stores or street sales, such as The Thrifty Shopper in East Syracuse. There are tons of options that don’t require nailing things to the wall, which is not permitted in University housing.
If space is tight, another great option is fairy lights or string lights, which are always easy to find and set up. Similarly, LED lights are also easy to use and add a pop of color. This way, when you’re up late studying or socializing, you can avoid the unflattering overhead lights.
2. Find Cozy Rugs, Bedding and Pillows
An easy way to add color to the bedroom is with a decorative rug! Rugs, along with floor pillows, add a sense of comfort and somewhere to sit in a room with limited space. Beanbags are another easy solution to fill the space and provide a functional seat for guests.
In addition to floor decor, the pillows and blankets on your bed are great ways to decorate, and also make your bed more comfortable for sleeping. It may seem hot outside now, but soon enough, Syracuse winters will make you wish you invested in some warm bedding to nest in!
3. Maximize Storage Space
Part of decorating involves organizing all your clothes—a problem I consistently struggle with. To prevent clothes from building up on your floor, there are several organizational hacks for maximizing limited space. These include bed risers, storage bins, closet doublers and cascading hooks. When I was living in a dorm, bed risers provided additional space for extra food, clothes, toiletries and anything else that wouldn’t have fit under my bed otherwise!
Additionally, storage bins are great for arranging all your belongings. Closet doublers provide an additional hanging clothing rack in your closet, essentially doubling clothing space. (For those with small closets, this is a lifesaver!) Lastly, cascading hooks are great for sweatshirts or jeans, which take up a lot of space. The hooks cascade downward so you can stack your clothes on top of one another, providing more room for other things to hang on the same rack.
4. Hang Wall Decor
Wall decor can include anything from mirrors to posters to hanging plants, and it’s an easy way to add personality to your living space! There are lots of thrift stores around Syracuse where you can browse for cool antique pieces or decorations. Most stores also have student discounts or back-to-school deals, including the Syracuse University Campus Store, which often has seasonal sales throughout the year.
If you want a specific print, I recommend looking on Pinterest or Etsy, and Bird Library on campus offers poster printing for black-and-white and color posters as large as 11×17 inches. Staples and other off-campus stores are also a great resource. I used to hang up pictures and little notes as well, in addition to a collage I made from old postcards. Give it a try if you’re feeling artistic!
There are endless ways to make your room feel like home. Coming from someone who had trouble adjusting to college my first year, having a safe, comfortable space that you can come back to after a long day of classes or socializing makes a huge difference. If you’ve switched to off-campus housing with communal rooms, decorating can seem like even more of a chore, but cozying up your apartment can really make it feel like your home away from home! Hopefully, these tips provided some guidance, but be sure to experiment with what you like and what works for you. Happy decorating!
Written By Kate Jackson ’26, S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications and Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs
This article is for reference purposes only and is not deemed an endorsement by Syracuse University.