The school year is in full swing again, and many students are already wondering how to outfit their dorms to match some of the comforts of home. Here are a few craft ideas for students who want to give their dorm decorations a personal touch.
- Washi Tape Art Gallery
Frames can be expensive and hard to hang up without leaving marks or running out of command strips. You and Residence Life can both have your way with a washi tape art gallery. Choose pictures of friends, find free printables online, or cut out artsy shots from your favorite magazines. Then, find decorative washi tape at your local crafts store (Target carries it). Try to find different colors and patterns that match or compliment the rest of the colors in your dorm. Then, tape up your gallery over your bed, desk, or sofa. Run the tape to create a border for the photos you’re showcasing. Make the gallery pop by alternating colors and patterns.
- Picture Frame Jewelry Organizer
If you want anything other than a square cork board, you may have to pay a pretty penny. Make your own funky shaped jewelry organizer with cork strips, push pins and an old picture frame.
Find a picture frame at your local Goodwill, and look for adhesive cork strips at craft stores like Michael’s and Hobby Lobby. To add a personal touch, paint the frame with a pop of color. After it dries, cut the cork strips to fit the picture frame. Then, hang up your necklaces, bracelets and rings with push pins. This will save a lot of space and make for a great accent piece.
- ModPodge Mood Board
If you’re looking for something that’s visually entertaining, cheap and easy to make, this is the craft for you. All you’ll need for this is a poster board, a stack of old magazines and Mod Podge multipurpose craft paste. Pick a word or phrase (you can use your name, for instance) and try to find that word or phrase in your magazines. Cut it out. Repeat. If you can’t find the phrase, cut out different letters in varying fonts. Then mod podge them to the poster board until you’ve filled the board and let dry. You can tape this piece above your desk, common area, or bed.
- Mason Jar Makeover
This dorm hack demands little effort for your reward. All you need is spray paint and whatever sized mason jars you prefer. Paint pens and ribbons are optional. Just spray paint the mason jars and decorate to your heart’s content. Place the mason jars on your desk to help you organize pens and pencils.
- Wooden Decals With a Twist
For this craft, you will need to visit your local craft store to find large wooden letters/phrases and faux flowers to decorate. You will also require hot glue as well as command strips if you want to hang the project. Cut the stems off of the fake flowers if need be and hot glue them to your letter. Use various colours to make the project come alive.
