By Bella Stryker
Freshman — is Dallas home yet? Are you going home for the holidays or leaving your home? If SMU doesn’t feel like home yet, it might be because your dorm room doesn’t feel like home. Realistically, at this point in the year, it probably just feels like a disgusting 10-by-6-foot jail cell. And you’re definitely begging your parents for a staycation at the nearest luxury hotel.
Let’s fix that — and turn your dorm room into a luxury hotel room.
To start off, make sure your room is clean. Yes, actually text your RA and track down that one vacuum for the entire building. Luxury hotel rooms get cleaned twice a day, and something is telling me this is the first time yours has ever been vacuumed. While you’re at it, make sure to bleach every surface.
Next, because you’re totally noseblind now, you need to get a diffuser. Have you ever walked into a Ritz Carlton and thought it smelled bad? Exactly. My personal favorites are the ones from Pura. They carry ranges of scents and regularly due collabs with other big brands. For my Anthropologie cult members, they even carry diffusers in the same scents as the Anthro candles. Go get that Capri Blue!
Now that the basics are done, there are a few budget-friendly upgrades that might make all the difference. (And yes, I promise they are actually college-student friendly). The most basic upgrade is to make sure you are using a warm-light bulb in your desk lamp. Not only is this going to elevate your room, but switching out the florescent white bulb for a warmer one is also better for your circadian rhythm — which, as we lose daylight hours and have to use lamps more, is increasingly important. I would also recommend limiting the use of any fluorescent overhead lights.
Another simple fix is upgrading your robe. Especially as it gets colder, the bigger and fluffier the robe, the better. The Djerf Avenue and Dairy Boy robes totally live up to the hype and you can even get the matching headband. If you don’t like patterns and are looking for a sleeker look, Eberjey has a beautiful gender neutral option and Ralph Lauren has this perfect old money vibe option.
A final easy fix is upgrading your nightstand setup. The best part of a luxury hotel stay is arguably the turn-down service — so why don’t you make yourself one for every night? Beyond making sure your nightstand is organized (these little charging cord clips are life changing), you just need a few additions.
Get a container of little chocolates and treat yourself to one every night right before bed. My personal favorites are Ghirardelli, you can get them at Target. Additionally, a pillow spray can be life changing. By calming down your vagus nerve, you can improve your sleep latency and get more rest. I use this Osea one.
Make sure to clean your sheets, put away your laundry (all the way — don’t just shove it in your closet) and I promise your room is going to feel brand new.
