I don't know about you, but I feel that most dorm rooms are terribly inefficient and poorly set up. The typical dorm room is a square cinder block box with a window, bulky furniture, and awkward layout. I know that nowadays when new residence halls are built, more thought is being put into the efficiency of the rooms. (For example, suite-style rooms are increasingly popular.) Some new dorms are extremely modern in style.
So I got to thinking about re-thinking the dorm. When a lot of people here "dorm room of the future" they think of high-tech, space-age, Jetsons-esque atmosphere. While I enjoy looking at such modern spaces, I prefer not to live in one. So what would be some easy ways to increase the function of a dorm room while maintaining a traditional, comfortable feel?
I think the most natural place to begin would be the bed. This is the largest piece of furniture in a dorm room and sleep is, after all, an important health factor. Dorm rooms function as so much more than a bedroom, though. So I've always thought it would be so nice to just... well, "tuck away" a bed. It would save so much floorspace. Murphy beds, trundle beds, and built-in beds would be a great way to save space in dorm rooms.
A Murphy bed would be an ideal space-saving solution for dorm rooms. For one, Murphy beds are not permanent and would not require any interior architectural work. At night, the bed can be let down (like above). [above image source: Andrew Sinclair]
And then in the morning, it can be made and folded back up. (See above.) [above image source: Andrew Sinclair]
Just look at how much floor space a Murphy bed opens up. Additionally, depending on the type of Murphy bed, there can be a lot of storage options. In the Murphy bed pictured above, there's a built-in bookcase and dresser. [above image source: Andrew Sinclair]
Pictured above is another Murphy bed option that would be ideal for a college dorm room. It includes a dresser, bookcase, and desk area. Sooo efficient! [above image source: more space place nashville]
Bed nooks would allow for more privacy than dorm residents are used to. A curtain (above) could be pulled closed to hide the bed during the day or make for a more private sleeping space at night. [above image source: handmade charlotte]
Some bed nooks could even offer storage, such as the one pictured above. [above image source: townmouse]
The above bed nook offers a lot of clothing storage with four large dresser drawers. And the curtain allows for some privacy. [above image source: townmouse]
This style of bed nook (above) would work especially well in shared dorms. Captain-style drawers offer storage for clothing or shoes. Built-in bookcases offer storage for books, photo frames, and personal knick-knacks. And the separating wall offers privacy. [above image source: BPC Architecture]
So I got to thinking about re-thinking the dorm. When a lot of people here "dorm room of the future" they think of high-tech, space-age, Jetsons-esque atmosphere. While I enjoy looking at such modern spaces, I prefer not to live in one. So what would be some easy ways to increase the function of a dorm room while maintaining a traditional, comfortable feel?
I think the most natural place to begin would be the bed. This is the largest piece of furniture in a dorm room and sleep is, after all, an important health factor. Dorm rooms function as so much more than a bedroom, though. So I've always thought it would be so nice to just... well, "tuck away" a bed. It would save so much floorspace. Murphy beds, trundle beds, and built-in beds would be a great way to save space in dorm rooms.
If you could have one of these styles of bed in your dorm room, which would you pick? I think I would go with the bed nooks because they are just so cozy!
Stay tuned for more re-thinking the dorm.
Amore.
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Hannah Katy