Walk into any college dorm today, and you’ll find students decorating their dorm rooms with fairy lights, potted plants, plushies, blankets, photos, etc. At first glance, it may appear to be an aesthetic choice, which might be true, but a deeper look shows that these design decisions can often reflect their mental health and how they are.
As mental health awareness becomes an increasingly discussed topic, students have become more intentional about their décor to support emotional balance.
Decorating living spaces has been used by students and others to support mental health and wellness. Room decoration and interior design continue to play a role in creating environments that optimize student comfort and can aid in mental health support from individual to individual.
According to Bumblejack, a super graphics company, colors such as green and blue are known to promote a calming, relaxing effect, making them ideal for rest areas.
Similarly, warm colors such as orange or yellow tend to energize and uplift mood; often, these colors are used as a pop of color in various accessories and items.
It is important to find the right harmony among cool and warm tones to bring a sense of equilibrium and peace. Experimenting with different combinations might help students discover what works best for their style.
Lighting is another factor that can contribute to one’s mental health. Dorm rooms often rely on harsh white-lighted bulbs or overhead tube lights. This can induce anxiety, stress, headaches, and disrupt sleep.
To avoid this, students typically bring their own LED strip lights, fairy lights, etc., which can be less harsh on the eyes and evoke a sense of warmth. Natural lighting can also increase serotonin levels, uplift mood, and boost energy. Many students tend to arrange their bedding and desks to invite more natural light.
An organized dorm room versus a messy, cluttered room. Now, which one would be more comfortable to live in?
For many, cluttered and messy areas can induce stress and anxiety. It can act as a constant reminder that work is never done and can cause too much visual stimuli.
With clutter there is disorder, and our brains seek order; disorder brings forth a sense of stress, anxiety, and eventually depression. Hence, it is important to have an organized living space for peace and a relaxed mind. A spacious living area creates a less sense of clutter.
Have you ever been on a hike and felt relaxed afterwards? That is what happens when you spend time in nature, away from the demands of busy life. Natural scents or sounds can ground people in a relaxed state.
That is another way many students transform their dorm room from institutional to homey by incorporating nature into their space. Utilizing biophilic elements such as potted plants, climbers, stones, and wooden items or furniture can make one feel close to nature. This, like any other way, might not work for everyone, but for those who love it, they can find peace in nature.
Another important aspect of a comfortable dorm life is, obviously, a space that feels “homey.” Students often get homesickness, which can lead to stress and a depressed state, especially for students far from loved ones. In this case, many students use decor that is personal to them, reflecting memories, comfort, and specific feelings that only their own homes can provide.
Many use personal items like photos and, artworks that can help them feel at home.
Overall, interior designing and dorm décor have become meaningful tools for many students to promote a sense of happiness, comfort and peace. They opt to create a kind of space that supports their mental well-being while also keeping it “aesthetically pleasing.” Anything visually appealing can introduce a sense of calm and joy.
A comfortable living space for students is very necessary, even if only a little,to keep up with their schoolwork and other commitments. One needs to be in a good mental condition to move forward with life.
