There’s more to life than navy sheets & Friday Beers flags
I walked into the boys’ wing of Trojan Hall and it felt like walking into some liminal-space abandoned hospital. The florescent lights flickered overhead. Every other door was open wide with box fans blowing in “fresh” air from the hallway into the rooms. I made it to my friends’ dorm and stepped inside timidly.
The room was SPARSE - other than mounds of questionably “clean” laundry. They had linoleum floors, a couple plastic desk lamps, and a musty smell wafting from the aforementioned laundry. I looked over at the beds: I think there was one whole sheet + comforter set between them but each was missing some vital pieces.
I apologize for starting this article with a horror story. I usually avoid jump scares but this is the truth for far FAR too many guys heading to college. It’s my assumption that a lot of 18 year old guys think the concept of decorating a dorm is tedious or overly-feminine. But it doesn’t have to be either of those things.
You don’t have to spend 15 hours picking out a duvet cover! We’re just asking for two sets of sheets and a lamp that doesn’t make you look jaundiced.
This is your first home as an adult. It reflects what you want to be as an adult. Do you wanna be bleak, grey, or musty?
So here’s the fast & dirty guide to being the guy with the cool room.
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Cohesive bedding
Two sets of sheets + Two pillows + a comforter (or duvet). It’s not rocket science.
Bonus points: get a mattress topper so you’re not sleeping on that thin plastic mattress all year.
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Shower Supplies: Caddy, Shoes, Towels, Robe
Do not, do NOT be the guy who gets athlete’s foot in the dorm showers.
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Flattering Lighting
Deep breaths. It’s not hard. We have great options– all you have to do is pick one! Try one of our floor lamps + a desk lamp to get started! (If you’re feeling bold, we can talk sconces).
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Things to put Clothes in: Dresser + Hamper
Throwing stuff in a pile makes it rumpled and smelly. Everyone used to talk about one boy in my class and ask his roommates why he smelt musty all the time. It took all year but they figured out he was showering everyday but he would throw dirty laundry, damp clothing, and clean clothing all in one pile and then just fish out something to wear for the day.
TLDR: clean clothes go in dresser. dirty clothes go in hamper.
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A piece of artwork
Yay!!! Your room doesn’t have to look like a jail cell. Just pick one to two pieces of artwork and you’re DONE! That’s a room :).
That’s it. Plain and simple. Now you have an adult room and not only does it look good to your friends, but it’s gonna be significantly more comfortable and enjoyable for you too!