Off to College: Make It Feel Like Home

College is full of challenges, and one of the biggest is adapting to a new living space. Along with the demands of studying, making it to those early morning classes and fitting into campus life, many college students soon will be dealing with living on their own for the first time. Whether that's in a dormitory, an apartment or a fraternity or sorority house, IKEA solutions can help create comfortable living quarters that can make the move easier — and let collegians get on with the real business of college.

Flexibility is critical to college life. It's almost certain that new students will have less space — and less privacy — than they did at home. But that presents an opportunity to adapt while developing personal style. So to turn college quarters into a new "home," start with these tips:

Enhance the essentials. Every college student needs a desk, a chair, a bed and a chest of drawers for clothes storage, and many dormitories come already furnished with these pieces. To avoid a dull or institutional look, be creative. Bright colors and patterns can go a long way toward cheering up a room. Cushions, rugs and bedspreads can help in the move from bland to expressive. They'll make a personal statement that converts a dorm room into a real home. And best of all, they're easily rearranged and even replaced from one school season to the next.

Choose fun furnishings. College students who have to buy their own furniture have more flexibility. Look for comfort and durability, and remember that functional can be fun. Try to include some whimsy or humor in furnishings by choosing an unusual piece that will get people talking. It's a great way to meet new people. After all, college is the perfect time to experiment with styles to find out what works and what doesn't.

Maximize storage. College living spaces are typically small, and there's never enough room for everything. It's a challenge to store clothes and out-of-season sports gear and still have space to study and relax. Avoid storage frustration by taking advantage of clever IKEA solutions. For instance, use IKEA storage boxes and baskets to organize papers, toiletries or other items on bookshelves — and still have room for books. Or choose tables that can be folded and put out of the way when not in use. (Mom will be proud of your neat, organized space.)

IKEA stores are full of inexpensive, practical products that can help make a college student's "home away from home" the next most important place in the world.