With classes at DePaul finally in full swing, students now see their free time dwindling. Getting out of one’s dorm room just to get some Student Center wings and pink lemonade becomes an unfathomable struggle and incredible time investment amidst homework, projects and extracurriculars.This means dorm decoration often gets left by the wayside. Fortunately, good dorm design can come from an evolution of ideas, and with a little planning, turn into something that would make any upscale Wicker Park loft owner red with envy. When choosing the duds for your domicile, keep things in check and your budget in balance with these helpful tips.

Budgeting

Budgeting is very important for college students. Sometimes it might be difficult to find quality furniture at an affordable price. Chicago, however, offers a great variety of stores for students to choose from when they are buying on a budget. Bill Cherne, a designer at Design Inside Chicago recommends shopping at Target and IKEA.

“IKEA has a lot of functional stuff. Target is awesome. They have great variety,” he said.

Cindy Soto, a supervisor at City Target on State Street, noticed that young college students mostly buy only essential furniture, like bedding and lamps.

“I don’t see a lot of people buying paintings and stuff like that,” Soto said. “They buy stuff they really need.”

Soto also added that in terms of colors, students prefer orange and green. A decent bed at Target might be purchased from around $160 and at IKEA for $180 and up. Table lamps at Target cost around $10 while IKEA offers lamps from $9.99.

David Hupp, a DePaul student who decorated the living room in his dorm, recommends that students should shop at IKEA.

“The most important thing is just not to buy crap, and it’s pretty easy to find cool and cheap stuff at IKEA,” he said.

Futons and Essential Furniture

Students living in small spaces should also get futons. Olya Parviainen, a freelance home interior designer, suggests that futons should be the first thing students buy for their unfurnished small apartments.

“A bed that will allow you to store things underneath or a bed with drawers always works when we talk about small spaces,” she said.

Since studios and onebedrooms are limited in space, it is more practical to get essential furniture only. Johan Cervin, DePaul student, had to buy some furniture for his one-bedroom apartment on Lincoln Avenue.

“I was purchasing only necessary stuff. I bought a couch, kitchen table, desk, chairs, a bed, a bookcase and a drawer,” Cervin said.

Match Colors and Have Good Lighting Fixtures

Apart from good furniture, it is also essential to choose the right colors. “Color combination is very important in home design,” Cherne said. He suggests focusing on neutral colors, like gray and beige.

Students should also match colors depending on the lighting conditions.

“Color combination plays a big role in a visual perception of small spaces,” Parvianien said. If it is a small room or studio, light colors would visually expand the room. Parviainen emphasizes that the colors of a room must be opposite of the type of natural light. For instance, if a lot of sunlight penetrates the room, then the colors should be vibrant, and if a room doesn’t receive much daylight, it’s better to use light colors.

In addition to choosing the right colors, students should also have good lighting fixtures in the room.

“Lighting is important. I always recommend to have a variety of good lamps,” Cherne said. Hupp also used a lot of lamps to “warm up” his room without over-decorating it.

The Coolest Room Award

Anthony Sacco, a DePaul student, won the “coolest room” competition, held during the spring quarter at 1237 West.

Sacco’s room is an eclectic mix of turn-of-the-century art nouveau combined with Moorish elements and psychedelic styles from the 1960’s counterculture. The room has red, green, orange and blue colors. The Moorish tables, Moroccan lanterns and collection of over 75 colorful pillows make you feel like you are in an exotic palace.

“Anthony’s room was very unique both with color and design,” Josie Toia said, a marketing coordinator at 1237 West, who also was a judge at the competition. “He was able to fit a lot into a small space and completely transform the room into something different.”

Whether students want to have a simple and functional space or a uniquely fashioned one, it is important to remember comfort. “Whatever you are designing, comfort is always number one,” Cherne said.