Upgrade Your Space

When I moved to college this year, I knew that I wanted to do something different with my dorm room. I didn’t want that typical, poster-covered college dorm room that a majority of people have. There’s nothing wrong with having that, in fact, that’s basically what my freshman dorm room looked like! But, I wanted my room this year to feel more like an apartment and less like a college dorm room.

So, I started thinking, “Is there a way for me to make my room feel more like an apartment and less like a dorm? Is there a way for me to display all of my hand lettering pieces? And most importantly, can I use this idea in my room next year and in future apartments?”

After sleuthing through Pinterest for a few hours (let’s be honest, it was more like a few days), I found my answer. There’s one major difference between how college students decorate their space and the way young twenty-somethings decorate their apartments, and to me that one difference transforms a dorm room into a home.

Say hello to framed pictures and prints.

I swear, a nice poster frame could make my cheesy, creased Breakfast Club poster look like it belongs in a museum.

Ok, slight exaggeration there, but you get the point. I’ve had an obsession with frames and pictures and prints for years, and it’s the perfect way to display art in a dorm room. The issue arose when I was looking for frames. I didn’t want to hit up my closest Michaels and drop $10+ per frame. Seeing as I was looking to buy 12 frames, I was not about to spend $120 for dorm room decor.

There had to be a better way.

And then my resident informed me of $2 frames from Wal-Mart. Y’all if you’re EVER looking for a cheap way to frame something, check out the frame section at Wal-Mart.

I have this gallery wall photo frame collage set up over my makeshift couch (thank you to working in residence life) and I love it. I framed some of the pieces I made during hurricane week and also made some others to include.

This piece is one of my favorites that I’ve ever done. It was my first time trying out super scripty words, and I’m in love.

Seen my #MondayMotivation pieces on my Instagram? I used them to create the frame above. I love all the quotes I feature in my Monday Motivation, so why not show them off!

What I love most about this wall is the fact that everything is temporary and can be changed. If I make a new piece that I want to include, I can easily change out the artwork.

What do you think of this idea? How do you make your space feel like home?

~abigail gray