Dorm Room Space Savers

One of the rites of passage for almost every college student is acclimating to a dorm room that is often smaller than his or her old bedroom, while sharing that reduced space with a roommate. This cutback on personal space can come as a shock to many people, but there is often no way around it.

Fortunately, optimizing the space you’re given can be an experiment in creativity and can often end up being pretty fun. There are many ways to optimize space in a dorm room, so here are a few tips:

• The Futon. The old college standard, this folding platform hybrid furniture can double as a bed or couch and save space. Replacing the stock pad with a foam futon mattress can make it as comfortable as any bed or couch you’ve sat on before, all while saving room. And having an extra folding bed with mattress space is always great for friends crashing for the night.
• Lofts. Building a loft makes use of the vertical space in a room, freeing you to use the floor space however you want. A loft can stack two beds or have one bed in the air with a computer or seating area underneath. This concept can be extended all the way into building a treetop sleeping quarter that’s like adding another floor to the room!
• Bean Bag Chairs. What’s more fun than a fluffy bean bag chair? Great for studying, relaxing and anything in between, today’s bean bag chairs come in a wide variety of colors, fabrics and even filling material so you can have a seat just the way you want. Bean bag chairs can fit into tight spaces where conventional furniture won’t, and if you need extra space, they can be tossed on a bed, in the closet, or in the corner temporarily.