Adding personality and whimsy to your dorm room can make it feel like a true reflection of your style and needs. Much like decorating a bedroom, prioritize cozy corners and a comfortable environment, but with functional touches. Here are some stylish dorm room decorating ideas to help you personalize your space, even with a blank canvas.
01 of 20: Create a Lofted Sleep Space
Hats aren’t just fashionable; they can also serve as fun decor. Hang them on stick-on hooks above your bed or dresser for a chic statement.
Dorm rooms with open shelving are perfect for organizing miscellaneous items. Use mesh bins to store extra toiletries, school supplies, and other small items. The see-through design allows for quick identification of contents, especially when you’re in a rush for class. Utilize storage drawers wherever possible. Dorm dressers are usually small, and extra bins are handy for storing workout clothes, extra sheets, baseball hats, winter gear, and more. When decorating small spaces, closed storage is essential. Opt for nightstands with drawers or cabinets and use opaque storage bins to maintain a clean and sleek look. Leaving your family pet behind is one of the hardest parts of moving into a dorm room. Cuddle a custom pet pillow featuring your pet’s face on your bed as a tribute and conversation starter. Instead of taping posters directly to the walls, frame them to enhance their appearance and prevent damage when removed at the end of the year. This will also make them suitable for use in the following year. Dorm rooms often lack natural light, so bring in lamps to ensure adequate brightness for studying. A floor lamp is both functional and aesthetically pleasing. For added comfort while reading or reviewing notes at night, add an arm pillow to your bed to prop yourself up. Adding a headboard to your dorm room can significantly enhance its style. You can even DIY a headboard using a fun fabric that reflects your personality. A headboard also makes lounging and reading in bed more cozy. Makeover a basic dorm desk by covering it with fabric in your choice of color and print. Add a glass cutting on top to maintain functionality for writing.This approach makes any weathered wooden desk look so much more elevated and chic.
18 of 20 – Layer Your Bedding Amy Littleson Add instant color to your dorm room with a vibrant quilt like this one. It will come in handy as an extra layer during chilly months, too. Tip: You’ve probably seen dorms decorated in just one color, but don’t feel limited to a monochromatic palette. Start with a neutral base like white, beige or cream, then select two accent colors that feel cozy and inviting, yet eye-catching. Forest green, periwinkle blue, burnt orange and blush pink are all timeless options. And with a neutral base, it’s easy to swap out a few elements over the years if your style changes. 19 of 20 – Hang a Mini Gallery Wall Fran Acciardo Add personality to plain dorm room walls by hanging an arrangement of three favorite prints above your bed. You can easily print out digital downloads and pop them into simple frames, which can be purchased in a pack at an affordable price point. Many dorm dwellers use removable hooks to adhere framed works to the wall. 20 of 20 – Tuck a Shoe Rack in the Closet Fran Acciardo Keep all of your shoes organized by purchasing a shoe rack that can fit inside your closet. This will make getting ready for class way easier, even if you’re waking up at the last minute. No more rifling through various bins or under the bed in search of a matching pair of sneakers. FAQ How do you decorate a dorm room on a budget? Decorating a dorm room on a budget is easy with second-hand elements. Visit your local thrift store to find some funky secondhand throw pillows, blankets, decor items, and art. Additionally, your college might have a campus organization that organizes gently used dorm furniture donated by students that you can buy for an extremely low price or take for free. Use large wall coverings like posters and tapestries to take up space, add color, and help you save money on buying multiple smaller pieces of art. How do you make a dorm room look nice? The key to making a dorm room look nice is to create a cozy, stylish bedroom. Layer textures and use soft, accent lighting. Bring in table and floor lamps as well as rugs, throw blankets, and throw pillows to warm up your space (consider adding a blanket atop your desk chair). Also, a bouquet of fresh flowers and a few green plants go a long way in adding life to a room. What is the 60-30-10 rule in design? The 60-30-10 rule in design refers to an attractive color ratio for a single room: The theory suggests that you cover your room with 60% of a dominant color, 30% of another secondary color, and then use an accent shade for the remaining 10%.