Brighten surroundings in a dull room
Although it has been an unusually bright and snow-deprived winter, natives of Logan know there are three or four months of winter weather yet to come. Unhappiness and depression can be consequences of dark and dull lighting. This time of year it’s especially important to keep a well-lit dorm room.
The lights provided in the dorms, apartments and houses most students live in are adequate, but have room for improvement. Natural lighting and windows add to the openness of a room, but it is difficult, if not impossible, to change the architecture of student housing .
So the question remains: How do you achieve a natural-light look in a dull dorm room? Incandescent lighting can be dull and boring. What other kinds of lighting options are there?
Floor lamps are a good idea. They take up little space, while providing an abundant amount of light. They can be decorative pieces, as well, and they don’t have to be expensive. Lamps can be purchased at a thrift store and then redecorated to your own style.
Colored light bulbs can be added to lamps or ceiling lights, giving your room a theme and some excitement. This gives a room a whole new light for a small price, usually under $5.
One inexpensive way to add light to a living space is using Christmas lights. It may sound odd, but these tiny bulbs can brighten up a room quickly, and they aren’t hard to find because many people have them stored in boxes, just waiting for the holidays. Christmas lights can also be a good way to light up a party or give a romantic feel to a room.
Black lights can be a good choice for a party, as well, or they can be a regular item in a room to add personality.
Dorms and other student housing complexes usually have rules against painting. Most of them are painted plain white. White is a good color to keep things bright, but it can tend to be mundane and boring.
Wrapping paper is a good tool when decorating walls. It is easy to put up with thumbtacks, and it is cheap and easy to replace or redecorate with. Blue-, red- and black-colored wrapping paper hung in a room with posters covering it can create a homey feel, an can be an alternative to leaving walls blank. Inventing your own color schemes and visual stimulation gives visitors some insight into your personality and can be a good conversation piece.
Decorative posters and photos can give depth and personality to a room and make it appear lighter and more spacious. For those who can’t take a paintbrush to their walls, posters can be found online and in most stores. Depending on hobbies, likes and interests, posters and pictures around a room add personal style. These types of decorations are designed to suit all of the people who have lived in an apartment before you and those who will live in it after.
Lighter colors, such as yellow, tan, light blue and orange, attract light. Dark colors, such as blue, black or purple, can make a room feel dim. Green is a good calming color. However, it’s important to choose the colors that help you feel comfortable and homey.
Rugs are another addition to cheer up a dull room. They can be purchased for a low price at a thrift store and add style to the room. A light-colored rug can give the room a more spacious and lighter appearance.
– victoria.hepworth@aggiemail.usu.edu