Locker decorating 101: Rugs, curtains and mirrors?!

By Brittany Anas

Back in our day, when we were walking 10 miles to school, uphill both ways, in the snow — the most locker decorating we did was maybe adding a shelf to separate notebooks from textbooks.

Now, lockers are like micro-apartments — complete with mini-mirrors, mini-throw rugs and lighting.

The school locker isn’t just a place where a backpack hangs and where books are stacked. It’s a teen’s (or pre-teen’s) personal space — ready to be transformed from a grey, rectangular cubby hole to something with a little more personality that can serve as a recluse place between 6th period math and 7th period language arts. (Plus, they can secretly stash those encouraging notes you tucked into their lunch bag). Soon, they’ll graduate to decorating a dorm room; their first apartment; their first home; a nursery. Wow! Slow down, you say? Let’s stick with a locker for now.

Here are 6 fun ways to personalize a locker:

• Add some light. It’s a dark place that seems to always be hiding that homework folder, yes? Light it up with some locker lights  — like this pink locker gem chandelier ($19.99) from The Container Store, where you’ll earn 5 percent Cash Back on your purchase. A motion sensor turns the light on when she pops open her locker door. For something more subtle, there’s a simple drawer and locker light that will also illuminate their small spaces.
• Toss down a rug. Yup, there’s an iddy, biddy 2X5 throw rug for your locker to make it feel a bit more homey. Find it here at Target, where you’ll earn 4 percent Cash Back and other great deals and offers from ShopAtHome.com.
• Add some curtains. A chic and fun touch that’s just so cute you’ll want to Instagram it: Teal Dottie Pom Pom Locker curtains add a punch of color. Find them at PB Teen.
• Party in your locker. Add a disco ball to keep them “stayin’ alive” through that AP biology test. This Locker Magnetic Disco Ball from Target is sure to add a fun touch.
• Magnetic list pads. So they may not pass notes anymore (a rite of passage replaced by text messages). But having a magnetic list pad stuck to the locker will let them keep note of reminders and to-do lists. Find the magnetic list pads at Bed, Bath and Beyond.
• Beauty board. For older students, stash those lip glosses and make-up touch-up brushes in a caddy with a convenient mirror so she can make sure she looks picture perfect for a yearbook photo.

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