After the Roll is Empty...

        PLEASE DO NOT REMOVE ROLLS FROM THE RESIDENCE HALL BATHROOMS

          Looking for a convenient and inexpensive way to organize and decorate your room? Then look no further then your empty paper towel or toilet paper roll. These cardboard cylinders can be cut and designed to help you add some décor to your room or organize your desk drawers. Below are just a few ideas that will hopefully spark your creativity.

          Toilet paper rolls can be used to add a three dimensional look to your residence hall room walls. By cutting them down into various sizes of smaller cylinders, you can turn them into frames for pictures. Arranging them in different ways creates a focal point for the wall. These also  make it very easy to change

photos as your interests change and you take new ones here at Ball State. Adhere the photos to the front or back of the roll to add even more character to the design. Feel free to leave the rolls their natural color or show off more personality by painting them or adding stickers. Be sure to check your residence hall policy to see how you can affix them to your wall. You can always glue them onto a large piece of colored paper (like a poster board) and use the allowed wall hangers to hang the paper with your design attached.

          Another way to create art out of toilet paper holders is to cut them into equal sized circles then fold each circle in half to create a petal shape. With this shape you can create flowers that you can paint and add to picture frames or just hang up on your wall. You can also paint them black and create a faux wrought iron design. Once you have the general 'petal shape', you can add the pieces to create whatever design you want. Painting the ‘petals’ does add the finishing touch to your design so I would encourage you to do so.

          Besides using these cardboard rolls for décor, you can also use them to organize your room. If you have a large box, fill it with toilet paper rolls to add dividers which can then hold pens, pencils, highlighters, sharpies, ect. This makes it easier to find items, but still allows you to display them. You can also adjust the height to use inside your desk drawers to make compartments for various office supplies such as paperclips, pushpins, binder clips, or staples. Keeping your desk and supplies organized is important and will help you when working on homework and projects. You can also use the longer paper towel rolls to hold long cords and keep them from getting tangled. This keeps your floors uncluttered and allows you to control your technology better.

          Looking for a way to amplify your phone’s speakers? With three easy steps, you can have a DIY toilet paper speaker; all you need is an empty toilet paper roll, 4 push pins, and a pair of scissors. First cut a slit in the middle of the roll big enough for your phone to fit. You can either completely cut the piece of cardboard off or leave it connected on one side to create a cover when you’re not using it. Next, push the pins into the underside of the roll to create legs.  These should be placed at somewhat of an angle so your stand is sturdy. And you are done; it is that simple. 

          Paper towel and toilet paper rolls provide an easy way to customize how you organize your space and add various designs to your walls. They provide flexibility, because if you decide to change something simply find an empty roll and cut it to fit your needs.  Hopefully these ideas will help you create your home away from home. 

The Importance of Lighting

            At first, college rooms can seem a bit blank. It is up to you to add a personal touch and make it feel like home. Lighting can play a big role in creating the environment you want for your room. It is also nice to be able to control how much light is in your room. When studying or reading, it may be nice to have a softer light available instead of the overhead light. There are many different approaches you can take to add light, and can also add décor to your walls instead.

            Lamps, are a traditional way to add light. Many desk and floor lamps have different intensity settings so you can choose the most comfortable one for your lifestyle. They also come in a variety of colors and patterns which can enhance your room motif.

Other great ways to add light is to utilize hangable lights such as Christmas, rope, and string lights. Utilizing these options provides luminosity without taking up space on your desk or floor. These also allow you to show off your personality by choosing different lighting color and designs. For example, below, instead of using white lights to write ‘Dream’ on your wall, you could chose to use blue or green or red or whatever color rope lighting you can find. Instead of using pizza string lights, find some shaped like stars or hearts, or even R2D2. Fixing these lights around your wall is a great way to provide some soft light and also spruce your room.

It is also important to remember to use natural light as well. Each room will have a window, so be sure to open the window covering every once in a while to let the sun in. By adding some of your own light enhancements, you room can be one step closer to being your home away from home. 

         

  

Using Paint Chips

        As a college student, probably on a budget, it is helpful to find unique ways to decorate your room without breaking the bank. Utilizing free and cheaper materials to create personalized wall décor is a great way to spruce up your walls. Paint chips and samples provide an excellent medium to express your creativity and personality. You can find paint chips in either ombre tones (fading from dark to light) or full color samples. Hopefully the ideas below spark some great ideas for your room.

        A simple, yet really interesting idea is to create a clock using paint swatches. Pick a color that matches your rooms color scheme and find paint chips with the ombre tones on one swatch. You will need multiple samples that you can cut into equal rectangles. Once you have your strips of paint samples, arrange them in a clock like fashion on a solid surface. This surface can be square, rectangular, circular, or any other shape you would like. After that, you can choose to decorate the center with a design, quote, or picture. Once you are satisfied with the center, add the clock mechanism which can be found on line or in stores such as Wal-Mart, Target, or a craft store. If you didn’t want to make it from scratch, you can always find a plain clock and spice it up with the paint chips in the same fashion.

        Another way to use paint samples effectively is to create a dry erase calendar. Again, the ombre samples make this a bit easier, because it clearly shows the difference between the days and weeks. You can choose to make each day a different color or pick one color to use throughout. If you do want to use

 different colors, you will need 7 (one for each day of the week). Once you pick your colors, find a picture frame to use for your calendar. The glass allows you to use dry erase markers, so it can change from month to month and you can add notes and reminders.  Use the backing cardboard to secure your samples.When creating the calendar, you need a table of 7 columns by 6 rows. The top row will be for the day titles, so this row can be a bit narrower than the others. Leave space at the top for the month heading. Once everything is secure, fasten the cardboard backing to the frame and add the appropriate dates for the month.

        Paint chips make it very easy to create all sorts of designs and mosaics to display in your room. Here, the possibilities are endless. Use colors that compliment your color scheme or add pizzazz to walls. You can adhere them directly to the wall (be sure to check your hall’s policy regarding this), on canvas, or frame it. Just go to a local home improvement store, Lowes, Menards, Home Depot, Wal-Mart, Sherwin Williams, etc. and find a bunch of paint chips and let your creativity flow.

        One last way to utilize paint chips is to make notebooks. Although this is not a décor idea, they can be helpful for various classes to take notes. Use the long strip-like sample. Fold so one side is longer than the other. Next, fold the extra length to cover the shorter side to create a matchbook style notebook. Then cut about 20 pieces of paper to fit inside the book. Staple the paper to bottom flap and fold the top into the flap. Finally, decorate the cover however you want!

        Paint chips are an excellent way to add color and personality to your room. Keep checking back each week for more tips and suggestions to help you create your home away from home. 

Some Dos and Don’ts for Residence Hall Rooms

Inspired by the article by Kaelin Tripp

Whether moving in for the first time or returning for another year in the res halls, there are some dos and don’ts to be aware of when preparing to pack. Below are a few suggestions to keep in mind that we hope will make your first few weeks less stressed.

            It can be easy to want to buy everything you can possibly think of for your room, as well as pack every article of clothing, jewelry, stuffed animal, CD, and poster you own. However, you do not want to over buy or over pack. Keep in mind that you will most likely be sharing a room and won’t have a ton of space to store all your belongings. You may want to consider waiting to buy small accessories and storage units until after you settle into your room. This way you can have a better idea of exactly what you want and 
need. Also, be sure to pack wisely. Think about the season and weather then decide what clothes seem the most practical. Narrow down to the essentials; you can always switch your clothes out at breaks such as fall break and Thanksgiving break. Keeping this in mind will also help ease the check in process when you try to move everything into your room.

          One thing you may want to keep in mind 
when deciding what to buy for your room is the importance of light. All rooms will come with an overhead florescent light; however, if you do not like the brightness of the fluorescent light, don’t just sit in the dark. Additional lighting can help bring atmosphere to the room and make it feel homier. The gleam provided from a floor lamp, desk lamp, or string lights can help you better control the brightness of your room and create the environment you want to live in.

            When planning the layout of your room, keep in mind that you do not want to live at your desk. Yes, this space is good for studying and completing tasks; however, consider creating specified sections in your room that are conducive to your lifestyle. These can help keep your room organized and also ensure that you do not spend all your time in one space. For example, designate your desk for studying and your bed for relaxing; if you enjoy reading, read for school at your desk and read for fun in your bed.

            Finally, be sure to bring some sort of décor for your walls; you do not want to stare at blank walls all day. Before moving in, print off some pictures of family and friends or find one or two posters to fill the space. Finding décor that is also functional helps save space. Cork boards and bulletin boards allow you to hang pictures, notes, cards, jewelry, and other accessories. Throughout the summer, we will have more tips and ideas to help you create some crafty and unique décor. Remember to find items that show off your personality and help you create your home away from home.