apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

I'd set it up like a daybed. pillows along the long wall.

Make a modern canopy out of a graphic fabric panel that goes up behind the head of the bed and drapes over the first 1/4 of the bed.

I think you should just "dress" it up (not put on a kiddie-looking blanket and leave it at that). I would use a modern, no fuss bedskirt, a grown up comforter or duvet, and a couple of pillows (maybe a decorative one). I think a twin looking like a dorm has more to do with the linens (and perhaps the style of the bed) than the size of it.

Check out this post from Matters of Style, there are tons of photos of grown up twin bed ensembles:
http://www.mattersofstyleblog.com/2009/06/twice-as-nice.html

I'm stuck with a twin bed but have a queen size comforter. The mattress/boxspring are also high up, so the comforter hangs long on either side, but covers the boxspring and frame completely. I don't think it looks dorm room at all!

It can be hard to find "luxury bedding" in twin or twin x-long sizes, but it is out there. None of these images looks "dorm room"...at least no dorm room I ever saw:
http://www.elegantlinenspc.com/Extra-Long-Twin-Sheets.htm

You don't have to SPEND that much though. Just get a feel for the patterns, colors, materials.

Also, browse hotels, they have twin beds, what are they using?

http://www.our-hotels.com/Incheon-Hotels/hotel-incheon-airport.html

http://boutique-hotel-chiangmai.com/Boutique_Hotel_Gallery_Accommodations_Room_Twin_Bed.html

http://www.balisukuncottage.com/index.php?Pg=120

If you find a look you on a hotel site, shown on a larger bed, like maybe this:
http://saturdaybriefing.outrigger.com/improvements_upgrades/outrigger-twin-towns-resort-embarks-on-major-refurbishment-project/

You scale it down to twin size. I am especially fond of the draping of something near the end of the bed. I've seen blankets, rugs, towels and things that appeared to be table runners used. Doesn't matter what is used, when it makes for a lovely effect.

Takes advantage of crisp white linens (can be inexpensive) and pairs them with potentially inexpensive accessories.

This white quilt framed in black does NOT look dorm:
http://www.thecompanystore.com/parent/Quilts Stripes/3213/CX39X/

Puffy comforter with greek key border doesn't look dorm:
http://www.thecompanystore.com/parent/Comforters Down Alternative/3102/CV16X/

Wool blend paisley in browns isn't dorm:
http://www.thecompanystore.com/parent/Clearance Quilts Bed Covers/7520/CW60X/

Maybe something posted will give you the kinds of ideas to complete your twin bed(s). What kinds of things do you like? That's the place to start.

daybed, absolutely. West Elm has a very stylish one, and sells bolsters to go with it.

I have a twin bed in my guest room/office, which is a tiny room. It has a bamboo headboard, the duvet is Jonathan Adler's Brocade in chartreuse & white, robin's egg blue velvet European sham, and a small rectangular boudoir pillow tied with a silk scarf in Chinese red & hot pink. Sounds awful, doesn't it? I used a picture of a plate for the room colors, and I love it. One of these days I'm gonna borrow my sister's camera and send a pic to AT. It was my first one-room Cure, before I knew what that was. :)

Stores like Ross (especially), TJ Maxx, Marshalls, always seem to have nice twin bedding. I frequently see Jonathan Adler (as mentioned in the last comment, bedding at Ross and it always seems to be twin size. Good luck!

Use neutrals for bedding, keep it clear of too many pillows and put a c-table over it. Upholstered headboard will also sex it up and make it look less adolescent.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/kitabayashi/3488338330/

Since I was in a dorm room less than 10 years ago the first thing that crosses my mind is the concrete walls and lack of space. If you're in a furnished university room/suite/apartment most likely you are extremely limited. Keep everything clean, simple, and remember less is more. If space isn't an issue the day bed with a variety of plush pillows is a good idea as well as the upholstered headboard.

Though it's a common theme in dorms, I would go with making your bed look like a daybed. One of the beds in the dorm (if not both) tends to wind up being the "couch" anyways.

I figure you are sharing a dorm since most do - it's much cheaper -- another way to make it look less dorm room would be if you could get your room mate to use nice bedding as well, maybe even something that coordinates with what you did. Your side will still look like hell if he/she is fine with the dorm room look.

Daybed style is smart. Do it!

Emily

I was literally just thinking about this today! I'm so happy this was posted. What I've done is the day-bed thing and also worked with different headboards.
What makes me think DORM is boring wooden headboards, so I would go for a different color, or a nice painted metal iron one to help it "grow up" a bit.

Also, the whole dorm thing comes into play with the whole room too, not just the twin bed...avoid too many pictures stuck on the wall haphazardly, clutter, and beer cans ;)

FYI... the pencil post beds were purchased from Mermaid Hut: www.MermaidHut.com.