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ELIZABETH BETTENDORFWith careful planning, students can turn their cramped dorm rooms into a spacious residence.
TAMPA - When it comes to decking out their dorm room, twins Simeon and Dameon Briscoe have it figured out, from the flashing disco ball to the serious supply of Ramen noodles.
The two created a nest for study and comfort in their 91/2-by-10-foot room at the University of South Florida. They installed a computer in the closet, hung favorite posters and brought coordinating sheets from their Orlando home.
The 19-year-old sophomores share a supply of small appliances - refrigerator, microwave and TV. A large cardboard hula girl from Dameon's job at Macaroni Grill adorns one wall.
"We're originally from Jamaica, so we bring a lot of colors into the space," Simeon says.
Although the room appears party-ready, it's really geared for studying. Simeon is a computer science major; Dameon is majoring in biology.
"We both know when to turn the music down so we can read and concentrate," Dameon says.
All over America, college students like the Briscoes are packing up and heading for residence halls, sorority and fraternity houses and off-campus apartments.
At USF in Tampa, about 4,100 students lived on campus - including the Greek Village - last fall, according to the most recent figures available. About 64 percent were freshmen, with women outnumbering men 61 to 39 percent.
No matter what the college or university, campus housing is often cramped and stingy on storage space. Lilliputian rooms demand real decorating prowess, particularly when the space doubles as a place to study and socialize.
Tampa interior designer Shane Griffin of Gryphon Designs experienced it firsthand last year when he helped his niece decorate her dorm room at Louisiana State University.
"Fabric and lighting are the two most important things," Griffin says. "Think bright-colored bedding, cushy soft rugs and lamps to soften the look."
Tammy Jo Schoppet, founder and editor of Rental Decorating Digest, which devoted this month's cover story on decorating dorms and small spaces (www.rentaldecorating.com) urges students to think about the five S's: sit, study, sleep, socialize and snack.
Schoppet says the best bet for any dorm room is a loft bed, which provides a wealth of space below for drawers, desks, storage containers - even a small, well-planned study center. Some USF dorms offer a small number of kits to turn university-issued beds into lofts.
Schoppet recommends buying an attractive shower curtain with rod and plastic rings to hang below the bed for additional privacy.
"Just know how high the ceiling is before you put up the bed, so you're not sleeping with it 3 inches from your face," she warns.
Lowe's Web site (www.lowes.com) offers a back-to-school checklist with a variety of suggestions, from door mirrors to closet organizers. A campus-decorating guide includes ideas such as stringing holiday lights for year-round warmth and cheer. Attractive mesh-style baskets work well for organizing toiletries because they allow water to drain. And consider multifunctional lighting, such as a clock that incorporates a light and CD storage.
USF resident assistant Alma Tabak, 20, devoted a lot of thought to making her single room comfortable and pleasant. Tabak, a junior majoring in marketing, is in charge of many students and knows all the rules: no painting the walls, taping or nailing. If you do paint, it must be water-soluble and easily removed.
Still, Tabak has managed to give her room her personal stamp. She's covered electrical boxes with purple construction paper and stenciled lilacs (with water-based paint) onto an otherwise sterile-looking light fixture.
"Take each wall and decorate it separately," she advises. "Give each a separate theme and color scheme."
Some of her other ideas for personalizing a room:
* Add a rug to give it a homey feeling.
* Display lots of photos but avoid too many around your desk since they can be a distraction.
* To save space and avoid clutter, replace multiple picture frames by making a collage.
* Buy inexpensive, scented plug-ins and solid room fresheners to make your room smell fresh. (In most residence halls, candles and incense aren't allowed.)
* Be careful not to damage school property. Contact your resident assistant for tips on appropriate techniques and tools.
Tools are key. For Lauren Tartaglione, a USF communications major, her favorite is a hot-glue gun, a secret she learned from her mother, an elementary school teacher. She can hang old movie photos without fear of damaging the walls and make her own, removable wallpaper.
Tartaglione, 20, and her roommate don't share the same tastes, but their stuff - a blend of Indian throws, beaded lamps, velvet pillows and a $19.99 throw rug from Target - works well together. Tartaglione's indispensable list for a great college dorm room includes lots of clear plastic drawers on wheels to hold toiletries, towels and clothes.
"They're absolutely the best thing you can have," she says. "They can even double as a nightstand.
She also recommends an erasable wall calendar, hooks for keys, small table lamps (to replace harsh, overhead fluorescent lights) and two alarm clocks "because you and your roommate are going to be on very different schedules," she says.
And no matter how tempting it is to stock up on cute, sale dishes and mugs - pass them up in favor of the paper stuff, Tartaglione advises. A few weeks into the semester, as midterms loom and energy levels lag, "you start to get lazy and the dishes pile up in the sink."
USF resident assistant Heather Vantine recommends thinking twice about bringing too much from home. The 20-year-old sociology major from Crystal River shows off her incredibly clean and well-organized room that she's outfitted with a loveseat.
"After you're done putting everything out that you're taking to school, go through it and think about what you can really use," Vantine says. "A lot of people bring so much stuff and they don't really use it. Then it's just a hassle."