apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

I'd run the bed the other way along the wall where it is, and dress it as a daybed.

I'd center the desk on the window.

Yes, a rug, and I'd get two occasional chairs, perhaps even a coffee table to use in front of the daybed.

If "organic modern" is the look, and "college student" is the budget range, West Elm is your first stop.

And don't be afraid to think long term with your furnishings that you add to the room... if you think of them less as short-term throw-away, you can spend a little more on pieces that will be with you long after college.

Does organic modern mean that lateral file cabinets from Staples on either side of the bed are no go?

I'd diagonally place the bed in the corner with the window wall on the right side of the bed (if you are lying on it.). Then I'd place the desk along the wall with the door to your right (if you're sitting at the desk). It's very bad fung you know what to have your back to the door when sitting at the desk.

OMIGOD! What college has dorm rooms that huge? My first-year roommate and I shared a room smaller than your bedroom!

Okay, with that out of the way...

Practicalities: I wouldn't move in with new furniture, at least not on the first day. The dorm will be crazy busy with everyone moving in as well and you don't want to fight for elevator/stairwell/hallway space getting in large pieces. Not the best first impression, certainly not with the dorm cleaning crew (with whom you should be friendly -- I know mine got me out of a few messes!). Also, given the general craziness, asking the crew to move out the dorm's furniture on that first day is not a good idea either.

That said, that 7' closet seems *huge* to me -- you might be able to either fit in the dresser in the closet, depending on the depths of the closet and the dresser.

As for affordable modern -- IKEA really does come in handy sometimes.

Whoops, didn't see the closets on the door wall - would place the desk on the bathroom wall then.

Oops -- I read too quickly. That's no dorm room...

That said, I stand by my statement about the dresser in the closet and IKEA being your friend. Otherwise, don't pay any attention to me...

Are you going to keep the TV in your bedroom, or will it be in the shared space? If you want to keep that TV private I'd say ditch the big tv and go for the flatscreen.

However, there is a better idea. Don't buy a TV at all. Use your computer. You'll likely do little real-time TV watching in college, and when you do it will likely be with a group. Don't bother with a TV in your room. You can play DVDs on your computer. Still want private live tv? Does your room have a tv-hookup? If so buy a slingbox (google it) instead of a TV. Use that to feed your computer. Now you've got private TV but for much much less than the cost of a flatscreen.

Definitely go for either a futon or platform bed. I vote for platform, as futons are lame. I know, I slept on one in college. I wish I had bought a cheap mattress instead. Do yourself and your roommates a favor and check any bed/mattress/futon combination you are thinking of buying thoroughly. Cheap futon frames and some box-springs squeek.

You have a ton of space. I think I shared a similarly sized room with my horrid first year roommate. I'm so impressed you're thinking design. My idea of design before I went to college was to pick up a nice Wamsutta cranberry and hunter green (the 'it' colors in middle America that year 12 years ago) plaid comforter and then to get a carpet to match, kind of, at the campus sale. And, I was way impressed with people who managed to loft their beds and then hang a 'cool' tapestry. Awesome, man. :) I think it's not that I didn't have taste, but that I didn't even think of incorporating it into my life! And, let me tell you--you're so lucky to have your own bathroom.

I'd save money on the Flat screen--forget that. Put that money into one nice thing for your room that will really make you feel totally comfortable and stylish simultaneously. You should be studying and having fun anyway--not watching TV! I'm so jealous--I wish I was in your shoes right now!

I also think Chiasso (online) might have some fun things for you.

in nyc, we wish for such problems. we have NO space!

Wow, this must be funny for other nyc readers who share 325 square feet with their boyfriend, and a roommate, and his girlfriend. Seriously, fitting a bed in your room is all you need to do and a desk. you have a whole big apt with kitchen and living room. in nyc, all 4 rooms are in one sometimes! ha

looks like it's going to be a lot of fun! i second all of patrick's idea about making your bed into a day-bed. i would get a platform bed with a simple head and foot board that are the same height, and center it, with the long-side against the 11'5" wall where it is (west elm has three nice ones, including: http://www.westelm.com/online/store/ProductDisplay?partNumber=WE-PRODp054&storeId=17001&langId=-1&catalogId=17002&viewSetCode=E&parentId=WE-SH1FRNBED&retainNav=true&cmsrc=WE-SH1FRNBED). i'd put a bunch of pillows, of different sizes and textures there to make it feel like a sofa. then i'd put your tv directly facing it, centered between the bathroom door & the exterior door. if i were you, i probably would splurge on the flatscreen and mount it on the wall, with some kind of low console table or dresser underneath that can also serve as a "landing strip." just doing those two things will make your room feel like a real lounge space, and definitely will be the hang out area in your apartment! (i know, that's what mine turned into in college!) then i would center your desk on the window, if possible, because i know that being able to look out a window while i work really makes the experience nicer, and motivates me--and after all, you ARE going to college to study! best of luck and enjoy it!

i would advise you not to buy a new flatscreen for your bedroom at this point. you are most likely not going to spend a whole lot of time in your room watching TV, especially during the first semester of so of college. your money could be much better spent on something else you will find that you actually need (wait till you see the price of text books, for instance) or will get more pleasure out of.

i also think that unless you have a serious trust fund behind you, you should probably not consider West Elm a major resource. it's a great source of inspiration, but on the typical student's budget, you are not EVER going to be able to afford West Elm.

your best sources of useful and affordable stuff are going to be more in the neighborhood of Ikea, Craigslist, thrift stores, and the sidewalk on bulk-garbage day. you can find some great stuff via those sources, and dealing with them will teach you a lot about design and your own taste.

i guess my overall advice is that while an occasional splurge on something that will be a long term investment is great (for instance P2's famous tizio lamp), don't expect to be able to throw a lot of money around on this sort of thing. you'll soon find that textbooks, beer, and spring break will be a lot more important.

i was figuring, since casi said "i might get a flat screen" and was also considering buying a new bed, that she wasn't on a typical student budget, which is why i suggested west elm, and buying the flatscreen. if i'm wrong, then i totally agree with opoponax to wait and find lovely things on craigslist and ikea, and only splurge if it is something really special or something you really need :)

I totally disagree about not being able to afford West Elm (they have SERIOUS sales at end of season and online), AND nobody does "modern organic" ANY better yet. And I don't think we're taking major furniture... just accessories, pretty much.

I did not get the impression a bed needed to be purchased, only positioned, and yes, I too interpreted the "may get a flat screen" as a budget indicator, too.

I'd actually vote for a small TV with DVD built in (from the likes of Target or Radio Shack). And make sure your/your parents' insurance policy covers your dorm stuff.

Textbooks may be covered by a scholarship, too, you know, and she may not be going to a party school where beer is the be-all/end-all.

You seem to be assuming there is no college student middel gorund between "trust fund baby" and "dumpster-diving broke beer swiller."

I can safely say there IS.

whoops, "middle ground"

Actually, I went to school with a Middel Gorund. He was from Oslo and heir to the Gorund kelp fortune. There wasn't much money in kelp, however, so the fortune was pretty small. He had to buy his furniture during Crate and Barrel seasonal sales. And he drank aquavit. But he could always be counted on to buy everyone who wanted a lutefisk, and could totally hook you up with free kelp.

Before you arrange things, really think about how you will be spending most of your time in your room. I can count on one hand the number of times I studied at my desk in my apartment bedroom in college. (Granted, the fact that my room was 8x9 for 2 people and my roomate had to climb on my desk to get into her bunk bed may have had something to do with that.) If you don't see yourself sitting at your desk studying, lose it entirely. That could open up more floor space for comfy seating for watching TV/hanging out. If all you do in your bedroom is sleep, maybe consider spreading some of your design budget into parts of the apartment where you spend more time (living room, kitchen, etc.)

I agree with Patrick (the other one) about West elm end-of-season sales. I just scored a chaise lounge for $199 (with white glove delivery). It was originally $599.

Here's what I would do: place the bed with the head facing the window, so it is parallel to the 11.5' wall, with a couple of feet of space between the head and the closets. then you can place a tall table behind the head and walk behind it to get to your clothes. then place a dresser or a chair to the right of the window and the desk along the wall to the left of the bathroom.

I'm in the same situation that Casi is in. My bedroom in my new college apartment is a similar size and set-up. But, I wouldn't say that this apartment or the bedroom is small (in fact is pretty huge!). I attest to what Megan said about craigslist and IKEA. I bought an $80 IKEA chest of drawers for only $20! Depending on what area you are in, I think craigslist is definitely a yes. You'd be amazed at the "college student friendly" prices.

Don't think of your space as small, you'd be surprised at how much room you actually have. If you get a chance, go on BOconcept's website and download their room design software. It's great! It gave me an idea of how many ways I could configure my furniture!

Another store you may want to check out is CB2. At least for my first apartment, I didn't want to necessarily spend money on something I would have to treasure for the rest of my life. When I lived in Chicago, CB2 was a great resource for making my apartment feel modern without spending a fortune.

HGTV has a virtual room planner that might help you out.

sorry here's the link.

http://www.hgtv.com/hgtv/pac_ctnt_wide/text/0,,HGTV_17897_23822,00.html

If you're not taking a desktop computer to school, but still want the option of studying at a desk-like structure in your room (because God knows the college student does not need another reason to not study), I suggest something like this little laptop desk from Levenger, which won't take up huge amounts of space. It's pricey (which is why I'm not suggesting actually buying it), but you get the idea.

Good luck!

I think Beth makes a really important point- think about how you are going to use the space first.

From my personal experience, my roomates and I usually made TV watching a group experience. Thus, a big TV in the living room is great. A smaller, or even no TV(depending on your watching habits)in your room will suffice.

So, your bedroom will be used for sleeping(etc.) and studying. Your bed will be the center of your universe. I recommend a desk, but I'm willing to bet you will be studying on your bed. It's nice to have options, so during long study sessions you can move between the bed and desk. That said, I definetly second (or third) placing your bed lenghtwise against the wall, and use it like a daybed. I think it might be best along the long wall, where it is drawn. I desk under the window would be optimal. A dresser (if necessary) and TV would work on the wall across from the bed (on your left when you walk in the room).

I again have to repeat that you are quite lucky in terms of your space. I also lived in several dorm rooms with a roomate this size. We also had to incorporate a makeshift kitchen.

Have fun and good luck!

Also,
A low dresser, more like a sideboard would be great across from the bed. (Check out ikea- they have lots of options). The TV could go on top. This would be very modern, and great for storage- you need a place for all those books!

Put a fun rug in the middle. (Another place to study and hang out)

Keep things low with clean lines. Then add accessories according to your taste.

I would highly recommend focusing your efforts on the closet. It is a huge closet so it should be able to hold lots!

My suggestion is put the desk IN the closet. You won't need to hang that much clothign since you are in college and you don't need anything that fancy anyways.

My second suggestion is bring as little stuff s you can get away with.

My third is buy the cheapest stuff you can tolerate. Use the money you save to buy a large flatpanel monitor. If TV is important to you, make sure the PC runs Windows Media Center edition and then you don't need a TV at all because you can use your fancy new monitor.

As I just graduated from college, I suggest seriously considering how you will use your space before taking anyone's advice. With an apartment that large, and a significant amount of communal space, you might want to focus on "me time" comforts for your bedroom--but if you're a party person whose roommates want you to keep it down, your room might be the space for hosting lots of friends. (In that case, you could fit a small armchair in the corner and make sure to have lots of pillows for lounging on the bed and floor.)

Once you decide what the room will be used for (for example, I NEVER used the desk in my room all four years of college), check out, as mentioned, sales at West Elm and Vintage Modern by Thomas O'Brien at Target. The Vintage Modern stuff can be pricey but the sales are great and if your budget is large, the furniture is pretty sturdy considering it's from Target.

Good luck and, most importantly, HAVE FUN!