Eighty percent of college freshmen live in dorm rooms, according to a study by Florida International University in Miami. Dorm rooms should provide a comfortable environment for the inhabitants, as well as provide a place to study and, if large enough, to entertain visitors. Most dorm rooms are significantly smaller than private apartments, and so detailed planning must be done to design a room to meet the student's needs.
Instructions
1. Measure the dorm room and transfer these measurements to graph paper. Before purchasing any items or bringing things into the room, use the graph paper to test the workability of the items, using the measurements for each item. Allow a minimum of 6 inches for chairs to be moved during use, and leave open at least one foot on open sides of the bed for practical use. Also make sure that there is open access to drapery or blind cords, closets, drawers, and any interior bathrooms.
2. Conduct a sharing session involving all dorm-room residents to determine the special needs of each person. Factors to consider include storage for sports equipment, such as bicycles, skates, skateboards, and required athletic equipment or musical instruments that need to be stored in the room. Residents may also have special physical challenges or disabilities that require larger areas for movement, or medical equipment storage requirements.
3. Select a floor covering for the dorm room. Medium-dark colors work best since they require less cleaning and care. One large covering will make the room appear larger while individual rugs will divide the room into separate spaces, making it appear smaller but perhaps more personalized for each resident.
4. Chose window coverings. These should be easy to open and close. Consider the exposure to sun in the room and the times when the room will be occupied. Factor in any nighttime artificial light that may enter the room. Blackout blinds or a curtain liner may be required to make the window coverings practical.
5. Select beds for the room. The bed requires the largest space commitment, and careful placement is critical to making the most of the remaining space. If traditional bed frames are not required, consider alternative forms of bedding to conserve space. These might include Murphy-type folding beds, hammocks, futons, or sofas that incorporate pullout bedding. Daybeds are another way to add seating during the day, while serving as a traditional bed at night.
6. Determine if room residents require desks in the room, or if desks will be used in other facilities.
7. Add large pillows that double as seating. Floor-seating pillows measure (at a minimum) 24x24 inches. Two medium-sized pillows on each bed will add extra impromptu seating. These may also double as bolsters so that dorm inhabitants may sit on their beds to work.
8. Determine places for necessary personal items, such as a trash cans, clothing storage, and a dirty laundry container.
Tags: dorm room, dorm rooms, graph paper, window coverings
