Dorm Essentials: Make It Super Cool!

Aug. 23, 2007 — -- The descriptions sound like ads for a dream home: newly renovated with hardwood floors, giant walk-in closets, kitchens with ultramodern appliances, even home theaters and swimming pools.

They're not part of a pitch for the hottest new house on the block — these amenities can be found in some of today's swankiest college dorms.

All-out luxury is the newest trend in on-campus living and universities say deluxe dorm accommodations are a great way to attract incoming students.

But better digs mean digging deeper into your wallet.

At Marist College in New York, some dorms have state-of-the-art kitchens and spacious living areas, but to live there, students pay about $2,000 more a year than for an average dorm.

Most schools say the difference in price is not a deterrent. In fact, there are hardly enough rooms to satisfy demand for these posh pads.

Popular Science magazine says all these amenities could be just the beginning. The magazine predicts that high-tech dorm living will soon be the norm on campuses.

Not surprisingly, students say that upgrading from the typical to the totally tremendous is worth every penny.

"I study more when I am comfortable," one Marist student said.

Even if a student isn't living in designer digs, there are a few easy ways to jazz up a dorm room and add stylish storage.

Walls and Decor

Don't fear if nails aren't allowed in the dorm room, you can still decorate the walls with a few tricks.

Available at www.ikea.com

Bed Gadgets:

Flexible side table that you can adjust the height from 22" - 32" tall. Turn any lounge chair or even your bed into a study space with the help of this handy work surface.
Available at PBteen.com