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Posted August 24, 2011.

It’s that time of year when parents are getting ready to send their kids off to college. For freshmen students, this can be an intimidating time.

A great way to help your freshman ease into her or his new college life is to help them make their dorm room feel like home. Here are some tips on how to personalize your kid’s new college digs.

Bedding can not only add style to the otherwise drab interior of a dorm room but it’s a great way to personalize a space. Pick patterns and colors that reflect your son or daughter’s personality and style. Bedding also adds comfort and a well rested student is a good student – or so we hope!
Don’t forget the towels! Whether your child is sharing a bathroom with four people or twenty, a good set of towels will certainly make them feel more at home. Try a monogrammed set – not only do they look good but they hopefully won’t get mistaken for someone else's towel – definitely a possibility when sharing a bathroom with twenty other students!
Essential accessories include a desk lamp, a bulletin board, a mirror, and an alarm clock. Of course extra storage is always helpful – look for under bed storage to utilize that otherwise unused space.
Added luxuries for that lucky student may include some small appliances such as a dorm fridge and a coffee maker for those midnight snacks!
And for that little extra touch -add some wall art and a throw rug and your new student should be feeling right at home and ready to tackle those college classes!

Here are some of my favorite dorm room picks to get you started.

For Her:

Pair this boldly striped duvet and shams from West Elm with this bright floral sheet set from PB Teen to give her a bright cheery space.

Stripe Duvet Cover & Shams in Citron
Twin Duvet, $59 ; Standard Sham $19
West Elm

Big Bloom Sheet Set
Twin XL, $22 on sale
PB Teen

Add bright green accents with this adjustable task lamp from PB Teen and this 100% cotton hand hooked rug from Ballard Designs.

Hi-Light Task Lamp in Light Green
$69 on sale
PB Teen

Madeira Rug in Green
2’6” x 4’3”, $129
Ballard Designs

Last but not least, add some finishing touches. The graphic throw pillow mimics the pattern in the rug. And what girl doesn’t love mirrors so why not hang a collection of these fun and colorful bubble mirrors.

Dwell Studio Gate Citrine Pillow
20 x 20, $72
PillowsandThrows.com

Bubble Dot Mirror Set
Set of 5, $69
PB Teen

For Him:

Okay – so I like this stripe duvet from West Elm! I love the grey stripes paired with orange or blue sheets – very masculine as well as collegiate don’t you think!

Stripe Duvet Cover & Shams in Feather Gray
Twin Duvet, $59 ; Standard Sham $19
West Elm

Favorite Tee Sheet Set
Twin XL, $79
PB Teen

Warm up the space with West Elm’s industrial style task lamp in sleek black and add texture with Pottery Barn’s sisal rug bound in terracotta colored canvas.

Industrial Task Lamp in Black
$69
West Elm

Color Bound Sisal Rug in Terracotta
3 x 5, $99
Pottery Barn

I know he’s a guy but don’t forget the mirror –with all those good looking gals he’s going to meet he might want to take a quick look before he heads off to class. And, as a final touch, make him feel at home with this charming pillow featuring man’s best friend.