Just committed to Hofstra University? Feeling overwhelmed by your Pinterest board of ideas? Unsure how to decorate your suite style dorm? Allow me to ease some of your stress.
Hofstra University offers various living styles and accommodations. From suite-style dorms in “Netherlands,” “Stuyvestant” and “Colonial Square,” “Nassau” and “Suffolk,” to traditional communal dorms in the towers known as “Estabrook,” “Bill of Rights,” “Vanderpol” and “Alliance.” Hofstra University makes it easy for incoming students to find their comfort inside the walls of their dorm.
Suite-style dorms at Hofstra University make the transition from home to dorm so much easier! This style provides four students with an unfurnished common area space, their own bathroom with a sink, toilet, shower and, of course, two shared bedrooms. Below I will answer the most commonly asked questions and share how I decorated my dorm!
- Let’s get down to business! Get Inspired
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When it came to choosing how I wanted to decorate my side of the room, I remember juggling between “boho,” “pink and girly,” “clean and white” or even the idea of matching with my roommate’s “green and earthy” inspired side. I made various Pinterest boards and saved Tik Tok’s of my favorite dorms for inspiration. Ultimately, lifestyle influencer Anna Heid’s “New York Apartment Tour” video and her living room inspired me to purchase prints and follow through with the pink theme.
- THE LITTLE THINGS MATTER
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When you walk into your empty dorm on move-in day it may feel a little overwhelming. Staring at a blank canvas, and limited to making one side of the room yours. What helped me transform my side most was the little pieces I added including: a jewelry holder that displayed my necklaces, earrings and rings, tiny decor like cameras and neon signs, framing photos from home and pinning them on my cork board and, my favorite, my disco ball pot, that is home to my plant!
- Storage, STORAGE, STorage
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I cannot stress how IMPORTANT storage is! Some may call me over the top, but my favorite part of my dorm is my nightstand! Though it was more on the pricey side, I utilize my nightstand to store my necessities like medicine, my glasses, chargers and more! I love how it ties in my dorm, and allows me to have a lamp next to my bed. Another alternative to a nightstand is a bedside shelf, which will save you floor space.
Take advantage of your risen bed! Underneath my bed, I have three plastic “Brightroom 3 drawer dressers” where I store clothing and personal care items.
- Collaborate with your roomies! How to Style your common room
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Though it might sound like a large task at first, decorating your common area truly ties in the entire dorm! When collaborating with your roommates, I recommend each choosing a “large” item to bring! We broke it up between the rug, futon, coffee table/ tv stand and shared fridge- and the decorating built off of there!
Don’t be scared to branch out and have fun with it! We chose a red fridge with a checkered rug to bring some color and a different vibe into the dorm! Also, be mindful of not overfilling this area, I recommend choosing some type of seating- futon, bean bags, comfy chairs and a rug to really make your room feel like home! This is the first area you see when you walk in every day so make it cute!
- Very Grateful for our own Bathroom
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The best part about living in a suite is having your own bathroom! With this space, be practical and do not overfill it or focus on making it cute! The dorm comes with an extra long curtain provided, so I recommend purchasing bath mats and an over-toilet rack with individual bins to evenly store cleaning supplies or shower stuff. Another addition we brought was a shower caddy that hung on the shower head, a hand towel rack and a dish drainer.
- Do some research!
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What are some differences between Netherlands North, Netherlands South and Stuyvesant
Stuyvesant:
- Two large common areas downstairs, a “kitchen with tables” and a “lounge room with ping pong and TV”.
- Various lounges on each floor, for study spaces and hanging out.
- One kitchen downstairs with two stove top ovens, one microwave and a sink.
- Four floors, “hotel style” hallways and two washers and dryers per floor.
- Elevator.
- Closets.
- Located closest to the student center.
Netherlands North and South are in the same area! The two are connected by the “Netherlands Core” which is a food and hangout spot open morning and evening for students. The main difference between the three is:
Netherlands North:
- Large downstairs common area and kitchen with two stove-top ovens, one microwave and a sink.
- Two floors with two washers and dryers for the entire house.
- Closets.
- The mail and RA Office is located on the North Side.
Netherlands South:
- Large downstairs common area and kitchen with two stove-top ovens, one microwave and a sink.
- Two floors with two washers and dryers for the entire house.
- Most learning living communities are located on the south side.
- No closets. Students are instead provided a large wooden armoire.