Decorating Sorority House Style

Be the Envy of the Sisters with a Perfectly Pulled Together Bedroom

Aug 26, 2008 Kelly Whitt

Pick up some ideas, tips, and hints on how to achieve a great dorm room or sorority house look that will have everyone buzzing.

Moving into a sorority house is an exciting time. You are on your own but still surrounded by your friends, and it's time to express yourself and make your own decisions. Transform your bedroom space into a place that is a great spot to study and relax.

Robin McDonald, owner of Decor 2 Ur Door, helps those who know what look they want but can't pull it together by themselves. She has a large range of room styles to choose from, not just for the sorority house but for the dorm and home bedrooms, too. Her designs are not just a job, they are personal too. She has designed for her own children, including her daughter, who is part of the Alpha Delta Pi chapter in Florida.

Start with the Basics: Pick a Color

Robin bases her styles around a few key color choices. In the images here, the colors are a feminine pink, a chartreuse shade of green, and chocolate brown. The mix of fabrics and patterns on the bed works because each linen contains two colors: one of the theme colors and a neutral white. The colors are repeated around the room through storage (essential for any college student) and picture frames.

Personalization Is the Key to Personality

If you want a room that is unique, it must be tailored specifically to you. There are many ways to accomplish this, and Robin uses a mix of these to help make one-of-a-kind rooms. Monograms are a stylish way to mark your territory. The letters can be fancy script or bold and wacky, to match your personality. Pillows, lampshades, even stencils on the wall are good spots for monograms. In the images here, Robin uses the sorority's name on the wall with her daughter's initials on a lampshade and pillowcase.

Besides literally spelling things out, you can show your personality through pictures. Photos are really crucial to making people feel welcome. Photos in frames and collages are a way to give your guests a peek into your world and show them your family, friends, hobbies, and places you've been. They are also a nice reminder of your favorite things on stressful days when exams are looming.

Use Old Things in New Ways

Put a few touches of the unexpected in your room. For example, hang a fabric swatch in a square frame from one corner, creating a diamond-shape. Or use an old iron dress-form as an artistic focal point. Come up with your own ideas, such as using your grandma's antique porcelain doll on a shelf as a book end, or weave a window swag out of fabric roses.

One of the best ways to liven up old pieces of furniture is with paint. Check out used furniture stores for basic wooden pieces, such as a nightstand, dresser, or desk. As long as they are sturdy, they can be transformed into objects of beauty with a simple coat of paint or two. Add interest by stenciling paisley designs or a floral display on the side. Make sure to change the knobs by buying a funky replacement or painting an old wooden knob to get the look you want.

Get inspired and express yourself, and you will end up with a room you love!

Photos courtesy of Robin McDonald of Decor 2 Ur Door.

The copyright of the article Decorating Sorority House Style in Interior Decorating is owned by Kelly Whitt. Permission to republish Decorating Sorority House Style in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.