Student Space 101
If you are wondering where the summer went, don’t worry, we are too! As we try to soak in the sun (as much as we possibly can) before we bid the warm days goodbye, many students are preparing to head back to college and university. No matter where you live as a student, whether it be a dorm room, the bedroom you grew up in or a tiny studio apartment (you can barely afford), space is of the essence. Before you go out and spend money to personalize and organize this space, read on for tips on small space living for students!
Basics
If you are living on your own for the first time, there are a few basic pieces that you must have as a student. These essentials include your mattress, desk and task chair. You don’t know the power of a good night’s sleep until you haven’t slept for days! A good mattress will not only save you some aches and pains, but is a worthwhile investment long term. If you are just beginning college or university, getting a good desk and task chair is a must. Believe it or not, you will spend much more time there than your bed! Consider investing a bit more on a task chair that is fully adjustable – height, seat depth, lumbar support and tension – your back will thank you. We love the sleek and linear look of the Vitra Pacific Chair which is timeless. You can also find a variety of economical options to fit any budget at Allmodern. A desk that is the right size and fit for work you will be doing is also key. The last thing you want is to end up studying on your floor because you ran out of space to lay out your laptop, textbooks and notes. A sit-stand desk is a great option when you want to stretch and study. IKEA has a manual crank model called the SKARSTA as well as an electrical powered model called BEKANT that is quite affordable!
Organize
Staying organized is hard, but extremely necessary in a small space. We suggest that you begin with your closet. Looking for more than just hangers? Try storage and drawer boxes for seasonal clothes, shoe boxes that can stack, and hangers for items like belts and scarves. It makes getting dressed in the am quick and easy. Great places to find these items are The Container Store and the much anticipated Japanese retailer Muji soon to grace Vancouver. The key to staying organized is having prepared a space for everything. Be sure to include solutions for other needs like stationary, toiletries and food. Use bags and boxes with labels. If you tend to forget what you put in boxes, make sure to get clear plastic ones instead!
Personalize
Dorm rooms and rental suites are usually very limiting in terms of your ability to personalize them. Fear not, you don’t even have to paint! Adding just a few small accessories can help personalize your space. We suggest that you take full advantage of textiles. If you are in a dorm room, your bed is probably the largest element in the room. Start with great bedding, like a fun duvet cover, toss cushions and a throw. The bay offers a few great lines, Lacoste is colorful and graphic. Calving Klein adds a little sophistication with their subtle neutral palate. CB2 has a great black and white linen pinstripe line, and cozy throw blankets. Don’t be afraid to jazz up your workspace as well. Some great wall organization ideas are – cork boards (consider tiling a few together on a wall to create more of a statement) magnetic or dry erase boards to plan your classes and deadlines. Room in Order even offers desktop varieties. A personal favorite (if you are able to splurge) is the Vitra Uten Silo which comes in two sizes. This can be used to hold your pens, pencils, ruler, stapler, scissors etc. I use mine in the washroom – great for toiletries, make up brushes, hair bands, etc. Not only a designer’s dream but, very versatile.
How will you personalize and organize your student space? Let us know using the hashtag #area3studentspace
