Welcome to all prospective (and current) students! Have you been scrolling on Instagram or Pinterest, looking for a few great dorm room décor ideas? There’s plenty of inspiration out there, but there’s just one problem with most of it: sometimes those rooms are harder to emulate in real life, especially while following the rules and requirements of your school! But don’t worry, we’ve got all the tips you need to bring your aesthetic to life, from dark room academia all the way to quiet luxury. This article lays out a few simple steps to creating a dorm room you’ll love – one that’s pretty enough to post on Instagram, but practical enough to actually make happen.
Start with the Rules
The basics aren’t always the most glamorous, but they do matter! Let’s start by creating a dorm room décor plan that fits within your school’s regulations. You might be surprised by what you can and can’t do! Check your school’s website to find out what furniture is provided and whether you can bring in your own, along with the rules regarding what you can put on your walls, windows, floors, and light fixtures. One important note is that most dorm rooms don’t allow nails, paint, and strong adhesives that can strip the walls and cause lasting damage! But don’t worry, there’s plenty of workarounds for just about every aspect of your décor ideas.
Coordinate with Your Roommate
Another key aspect of dorm room décor that’s not captured in a typical post on Instagram – your dorm décor has to work for you and for the person you’re sharing your room with. That could mean matching styles, mixing them, or, if you take a note from Wednesday Addams and her roomie Enid Sinclair, having two opposite aesthetics that just work! A yin-yang look, if you will, and if all goes well, you’ll have delightfully coordinated bedding and wall décor, among other things.
But before you buy anything for a dorm room you’re sharing, check in with your roommate, and if you don’t know who they are just yet, keep a watchful eye on your school’s housing portal! You can divvy up who brings which big-ticket items (such as a mini fridge, fan, and a dehumidifier), and if you need to buy any of these things, you can split the costs!
Dorm Room Décor on a Budget
Let’s face it: tuition fees are no walk in the park, so decorating on a budget is probably the best route, and there are a few simple steps you can follow to ensure you’ve got it in the bag (both literally and figuratively)! We’d recommend that you start planning roughly two months before moving in – finding inspo on Pinterest, setting a budget, and, if available, figuring out some of the measurements of your dorm. Then, begin with the larger décor items and work your way down through decorative accents, wall décor, and end with the final touches during move-in week. Make sure to also keep your eyes peeled for back-to-school sales and student discounts!
Dorm Room Décor Ideas to Try
Getting that dorm room décor just right requires a mix of research, patience, and inspiration, and we can provide you with at least two of those things (the patience is all on you). Below, we’ve compiled a list of eight items that are both trendy and practical, allowing you to maximize your aesthetic, all the while providing practical, damage-free solutions.
Wallpaper and Decals
Change the entire look of your dorm by using wallpaper and wall decals for personality expression. Choose patterns and colors that suit your vibe!
Tapestries
Print your favorite artwork, quotes, and expressions on a tapestry and hang it above your bedframe.
Light Switch Covers
An overlooked idea: light switch covers can add a little something extra to your dorm, bringing both personality and a fun finishing touch to your dorm.
Flameless Candles
Flameless candles create mood lighting that’s safe and creates both an inviting and relaxing atmosphere
Photo Walls
Gather all your favorite pictures of your loved ones and create a photo wall with printed pictures or photo tiles for everyone to see.
Make It Unique by Making It About You
The best way to create a look that no one has is by finding or designing items that represent you. Not the ‘you’ that everyone sees, but the ‘you’ that exists when nobody is watching. Consider décor like posters, prints, wall tapestries, and a photo collage adorned with pictures of your loved ones, or perhaps even your very own artwork! You could even be a little bit extra, and customize things like drinkware or your very own dorm door sign! But all in all, remember to choose quality over fast décor, focusing on items you can enjoy through the end of your school journey rather than one year.
A new chapter has opened in your life, and that opens a new door to express your tastes and display your own unique aesthetic. Perhaps you know exactly the direction you’re going for, or maybe you want to try out something brand new? Either way, we’ve compiled a list of the trendiest styles so that your dorm room decorating ideas can truly flourish!
- Dark academia: think rich textures, moody dark wood, and overflowing bookshelves
- Quiet luxury: think refined textures, luxurious linens, and muted palettes
- Retro/vintage: think antique finds, warm lighting, and retro patterns
- Urban jungle: think oversized plants, rich green hues, and botanical prints
- Japandi design: think handcrafted textures, light wood finishes, and neutral palettes
- Boho/Indie: think layered textures, eclectic décor, and patterned fabrics.
Adjust the Lighting
Most dorm rooms have plain lighting with no sense of mood or style. You can completely transform a room by ridding yourself of that gruesome institutional lighting and replacing it with warmer tones. That’s easily achieved through string/fairy lights or, better yet, replacing the lightbulbs with ones boasting softer lighting or LED bulbs. Even the provided lamps can be tucked away (but not thrown out), and in their place, you can install peel-and-stick LED sconces or even clip lamps that don’t require any screws. See? Easy solutions that keep the room undamaged while also leveling up your décor game!
Add Storage That Multitasks
You’re not going to find a lot of empty space in a dorm room, so look for gear that does more than one job stylishly – think storage ottomans that keep your room neat and make seating space for guests, pillows that transform your bed into a sofa, or bed risers that create storage under your bed! Over-door hooks and door hanging organizers add extra shelving for both you and your roommate, and under-bed bins add a surprising amount of storage! Inside those, you can place some vacuum seal bags for any clothes you may not wear too often. The best part is that you can choose various colors for most of these dorm room decorating ideas to match with your décor plan; you just have to look in the right places!
Choose Patterns That Hide Wear and Tear
You’ll probably be quite busy studying, reading, and completing assignments (at least, that’s what your parents would like to believe)… So, set yourself up to hide the everyday damage that your room will take by choosing bedding, blankets, and rugs that incorporate patterns to hide the occasional spill or stain. Some of the trendiest designs include floral, polka dot, animal print, multi-tone, repetitive geometric, and patchwork! We recommend you stray away from uninterrupted solid colors and pure whites, as they tend to show wear the fastest.
Dorm Room Décor That’s Damage-Free
As we mentioned earlier, it’s very important to incorporate all of your items into the space while keeping it completely damage-free! Most schools, colleges, and universities will require you to pay a deposit (which is usually quite a hefty sum), so if you want that money returned to your bank account, keep this in mind.
Removable wallpaper, peel-and-stick decals, and tapestries will be a game changer for your walls, and won’t leave any lasting damage. Washi tape will be your new best friend because of its low-tack adhesive, not to mention it can be reused! Command strips are also useful, but make sure to use them correctly, as they can sometimes strip paint/wallpaper if they’re pulled straight out instead of straight down.
And with that, students, we’ve reached the end of today’s article! We hope we’ve given you a few decent dorm room décor ideas, and remember: your dorm room is the ideal space to express yourself, so decorate exactly as you see fit (while adhering to the school code). If you’re looking for some more design ideas, check out these articles on maximalism and minimalism – they won’t disappoint!
Adam is a Content Specialist from Kerry, Ireland. His passions include going for long runs, video games, a love for animals, coffee, and travel!
i live in a nursing home right now — even thoughI’m 62. Many of these ideas apply to nursing homes too. Privacy, space, and personalized decor are at a minimum! Check with doctor, nurses, and administration to find out what’s allowed in your situation. Start by adding your own bedding that can be cleaned and is stain resistant. I’m allowed to use activated charcoal to remove those bathroom or sick person odors. They last a long time and are relatively inexpensive. Again, check with medical personel. Custom lap blankets, supply containers for necessities, cards (with holders for display or storage), and envelopes are greatly appreciated. My family doesn’t live close so a cell phone with holder for it and charger are invaluable. Don’t forget the holder for remote and glasses! Thank you for products! They make my day! — DS