Locking Down the Tricks to Having a Cool Locker
Lockers are no longer just for storing books and notepads anymore. Today, they have become an extension of a youths own bedroom, richly decorated and neatly organized. When one thinks of where to begin with making a locker his or her own, the first thought for the parents may be monetary.

Stores everywhere offer the latest trends in locker accessories and not all are expensive, but can still give the student a home-away-from home that he or she is thrilled with.

The Social Network
Of course a lockers main purpose is for storage, but with a couple of adorable accessories, the student can also create a messaging center to keep in touch with his or her friends without having to interrupt the classroom by using a cell phone.

Small, magnetic dry erase boards can be great for this purpose. Hang one on the outside of the locker and secure a dry erase pen with colorful string, ribbon or yarn. Friends passing by can write a quick hi or make arrangements on where to meet up after school. Dry erase boards are relatively inexpensive and can be dressed up with colorful fabrics and stickers to display the students taste.

Sticky notes are a cheaper alternative although they will need to be restocked from time to time. Whereas the dry erase board may be stolen or become subject to being knocked down repeatedly, sticky notes can be kept inside the locker and used individually as needed. The student most likely will not be pleased with the traditional square and rectangular versions no matter what the color, but fortunately there are a wide variety of styles, shapes and themes available including dialogue bubbles, animals and even eggs and toast.

Looking Your Best
Perhaps the oldest and most traditional of the locker accessories is the mirror. This is a very inexpensive accessory that can be located just about anywhere and easily attaches itself to the locker with the use of magnets on the back. Equally as popular, though, is the traditional game of banging on the outside of the locker to knock it off of the door. Should this be increasingly irritating to the student, another option is to purchase a small mirror on its own stand that folds for convenient storage.

Create a little caddy to keep essential items such as a small hair brush or comb, lip gloss, chapstick, perfume or cologne and a travel sized deodorant stick. This can be easily put together with a plain plywood box found at any craft store and paints, stickers, fabrics and gems.

Another option is to purchase a small, hanging caddy from an office supply store. These normally run anywhere from $8 to $15 or more, depending on the style and can be used for more than just storing vanity items.

It is not only important for the student to look his or her best, but to keep the locker environment as fresh as possible without fanatically spraying perfume or cologne that may ruin textbooks. Instead, the simple addition of an air freshener can help reduce the metallic smell of a locker as well as residing aromas of lunches past. There is no need to select the novelty pine tree from the auto department. Keep trendy with scented stickers in an assortment of fun shapes guaranteed to delight the student and not advertise the fact that they are air fresheners.