If there’s a few things I would do differently in college… the list is never-ending. But on the top of my list may have been a severe style intervention. I know that they were cool then, but I really needed to pack away the Birks. I probably could have taken it easy on the whole overalls thing, too. And maybe some of the girl angst. Ahhh college.
We’ve had quite a few emails lately requesting some fun ideas for decorating in college on a budget, and we thought that this summer was the time to begin introducing a few of our faves.
Just because you eat ramen noodles live on campus doesn’t mean it has to look like you do.
In the past, we did a few inspiration boards, but we’re ready to talk about fun ideas for the cozy home away from home. With plenty of time to prep and get ya there!
The fabulous Lindsay from White Buffalo Styling Co. Is here today with perfect timing and simple ideas for college spaces. {And the home, too.} So without further ado…
A few fun ideas for the collegiate lifestyle.
Thanks for having me, guys! I’m so happy to be back today to share with you my new obsession: tie-dye!
We all have those lamps that are neutral and fine, but wouldn’t they be better with a little more personality? That’s what I thought recently looking at this tan and white lamp sitting in front of my white wall. We needed something else here.
And inspiration struck! I recently have discovered a fondness for tie-dye and thought, why couldn’t I make a tie-dye lampshade?
First, I bought a white handkerchief in the tie-dye section at my local craft store.
The best part about these is that they are 99 cents!
They’re the perfect size for pillows like these that I made recently. And they would be the perfect solution for any college space!
But I knew it would also work perfectly for a lampshade! After a little measuring, I discovered that these handkerchiefs are just the right size to cover a 12″ lampshade.
I started by tie-dying the handkerchief using my recent Fold and Clamp Tutorial. I read a lot of tutorials and experimented some and this simplified tutorial gives me the exact look I love and leaves room for customization.
Using that tutorial and Rit Navy Dye, my handkerchief now looks like this.
Here’s what you’ll need to create your own tie-dye lampshade!
• Lampshade • Fabric Glue • Scissors • Tie-dye Handkerchief (or any fabric)
Step 1: Measure your fabric
I laid my fabric on top of the shade and pulled the under-side through the lamp. I worked until the two seams were even and then that told me where to cut on the bottom.
Step 2: Cut Fabric
Cut your fabric into two equal halves.
Step 3: Glue your Fabric to Shade
Run your fabric glue along the top of the shade in a line and lay the fabric in place. Since I cut mine down the middle, one side of my halves has a seam and the other doesn’t.
I chose to put the seam-side on top of the shade, so I laid it even with the edge of the shade. There isn’t enough, if you’re using the handkerchief method, to overlap on both sides, but if you get it right up to the shade edge, it looks great.
Once you’ve glued the top of the shade, run glue underneath the bottom edge of the shade and fold your fabric under to attach. As you’re doing this, make sure that you smooth out the fabric. It’s really easy to glue both sides and then realize that you have wrinkles and excess fabric that you didn’t smooth out.
Step 4: Attach Other Half
Once you’ve glued the top and bottom of one piece, half of your shade should be covered. Now, repeat the same steps to attach the other piece to the other half. This will leave you with two seams where the pieces meet, but if you take your time while gluing and smooth the fabric, these seams can look really professional!
Step 5: Style and Use your Lamp!
I’m so in love with the pattern that this updated shade brings into my little bland corner!
I love how the blue compliments the black and white photos in our Southwestern Family Portrait Art! Another great way to display all those photos in your new space with style.
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Isn’t she fantastic? We love these ideas!
What are some of your favorite solutions for a dorm room? Or even just a space on a little budget with great one of a kind solutions? What ideas would you love to see us cover in this series? Have an inspired day!
This is fantastic! What a fun idea for my daughter! Can’t wait for the rest of the series.
Lovely idea! I can’t wait to try it
What a great idea! My daughter and I are doing this, tomorrow! She was so excited to start decorating! 🙂
Love it! Also, please tell me where that amazing rug is from! I have to have it!!
Such CUTE ideas, Lindsay! My three year old broke my “new” Goodwill lampshade (the second one he’s broken!) and I think this just may be the solution!
Thanks, Lindsay!
Gorgeous idea! Just can’t wait to try the project!
I completely got into decorating my daughter’s dorm room a few years ago. (possibly a little too into it) Here are my best tips!
*Use wrapping paper as wallpaper. We used a leopard print on kraft paper so it had a fun feel but was still pretty neutral. The best thing to hang it with is scotch 3m poster strips. It takes a lot of them but they came right off at the end of the year! (be sure to get the ones labeled poster strips)
*For a rug we used a fun scrap of carpet and had it bound. I had extra from some pieces I had bound for my own house.
*Mix large and small patterns together for the bedding and curtains.
*Use an overhead projector to trace large, fun silhouettes and then cut them out of black paper and mount on cream paper. (I used the classic Barbie with the ponytail)
*Buy fun appliquéd cup towels and make pillows out of them by adding a piece of fabric for the back. I like to find really ugly pillows with down inserts at discount stores and take the insert out. It’s cheaper than buying new ones and usually a better quality down!
*Last, don’t be afraid to use things you wouldn’t normally think of for a dorm room! We made a gallery wall above the bed and used ornate gold frames and antlers. It turned out so fun!
If you want to see a couple of photos do a search on pinterest: Grace’s dorm room texas tech. (sorry for the fuzzy pictures though)