21 Dorm Room Decor Ideas That’ll Make Your Room Look Like a Pinterest Board
Want to know how to turn your dorm into your dream room? This is dorm decorating 101: 21 brilliant dorm room decor ideas that you’ll obsess over.
Ahh, it’s finally time to decorate your dorm! This is definitely one of the most exciting parts about going off to college. I mean, of course a cute room is a priority (duh!).
And while it’s super fun to shop and decorate your dorm, there are a few things to keep in mind that will make your life easier.
The best dorm decorating tips:
1. Pick a theme or color scheme first – you want your dorm to look cute and cohesive. Too many colors or styles will make your small space feel chaotic and overwhelming.
2. Let your bed be the focal point – your bed is naturally going to be the piece of furniture that captures your attention first, since it’s also the biggest piece in your room. So if you’re going to spend money on anything, your bed is a good place to start.
3. Decorate vertically – the walls give you a lot of space for decorations and storage, so use it! If you’re not utilizing your walls, you missing out on valuable real estate.
4. Make it functional – the best dorms are ones that are both cute and functional. You need to be able to work well and live in your dorm, so make sure you prioritize function! But just know, you can have both with the right decor. 😉
5. Always error on the side of simple and clean – your dorm is probably pretty small, so you don’t won’t to cram it full of decor and furniture or you’ll feel like you can’t breathe. It’s always better to start with a few cute pieces, and then once you move-in, you can always get more.
6. Check the rules – the last thing you want to do is buy items for your dorm that aren’t allowed. A few of the big no-no’s are candles and extra appliances. But you’re going to want to double check on your school’s website, because every school has different rules.
7. Don’t buy it all at once – I know it’s super exciting and you just want to get everything for your dorm before you even move in. But refrain!
Chances are your dorm is going to look a little different than you have it laid out in your head, and without the exact measurements of your room, you don’t want to wing it and end up with items that don’t fit your space.
8. Coordinate With Your Roommate – If you’re able to contact your roommate before move-in day, do it! You can get to know each other and start planning what you want your dorm room to look like. You definitely don’t have to have matching decor or themes, but it’s always cute when the two sides of the room compliment each other.
Okay, now that we got the basics covered, it’s time to get into the good stuff!
This post is going to show you all of the cutest dorm room decor ideas! Think of it as your one stop shop for dorm inspiration. Trust me, once you see these super cute decor ideas, you’re going to want to move into your own ASAP!
You’re going to find out about all of the best dorm room decor ideas from dorm room decor ideas girls college, dorm room decor ideas wall decorations, dorm room decor ideas pink, and more.
Here are all of the best dorm room decor ideas that you can use to make your room the cutest dorm on campus!
This post is all about the best dorm room decor ideas that’ll make you forget you’re in a dorm.
Best Dorm Room Decor Ideas:
1. String Lights = Instant Cozy
Copy this decor idea:
String lights are such a good dorm decoration. They’re super cute and will brighten up your dorm and make it feel so much more homey!
They’re also super easy to hang up (without putting holes in the wall). You can hang them across your room, drape them from the ceiling and let them hang down, or line the edges of your walls with them.
Just remember to get batteries for these and other items in your dorm (don’t make my same mistake!).
2. Statement Decor is a Game-Changer
Copy this decor idea:
If you want your dorm room to stand out, add in some cheetah print or other bold patterns and/or colors. With this decor idea, you don’t want to go overboard, but a couple of accent pieces accompanied by some neutral bedding is such a cute combo!
Your dorm doesn’t have to be stale or boring with the right decor! And you definitely don’t have to spend a lot of money on fun accent pieces.
3. Gallery Wall or Poster Collage
Copy this decor idea:
Not only does a gallery wall look super cute, but it’s also really fun to put together and will give your walls a much needed pop of color!
You can either buy a pre-made collage so all of the hard work is done for you, or you can create your own collage wall with personal pictures and ones you print out yourself.
You can also do a combo of both – add in some personal photos to a collage set. This is a great way to tie in all of the decor and colors in your dorm!
4. Add Life with Plants
Copy this decor idea:
Plants do such a great job bringing life into your dorm! It can get a little stale and dreary in the dorms, so some plants will liven up your space and add a nice pop of color.
You might want to opt for faux plants so you don’t have to worry about keeping them alive or getting them enough sunlight (a lot harder than you think haha).
5. Contact Paper to Elevate Furniture
Copy this decor idea:
The dorm furniture isn’t always the most stylish, so if you want to give it a little bit of a revamp, contact paper is a good way to go. It’s super easy to apply, and easy to take off (it also won’t damage the furniture).
You can go with a marble contact paper for a cute chic look, or a simple white if you just want a clean look. It’s a great way to change up the look of your dorm on a budget!
6. Full-Length Mirror with Style
Copy this decor idea:
If you have space for a full-length mirror, get it! It’s so nice to have a place to check your outfits and do your makeup that’s not the communal bathrooms.
You can create your own little corner with the mirror and add some blanket baskets and cute wall decor, or you can even get one like this mirror that hangs off of your wardrobe door if you don’t have much floor space.
Don’t forget to utilize the wardrobe and closet doors in your room if you have them! They make for great places to hang organizers, mirrors, and other decor.
7. Create a Mini Entry Space
Copy this decor idea:
Your dorm will feel so much more personalized if you have a decorated entryway. It doesn’t have to be anything elaborate, just something cute and simple with you and your roommates names to make the room feel like your own.
This is also a great place to hang some command hooks for your bags, keys, hats, and any other items you want to be able to quickly grab on your way out.
8. Headboard or Tapestry Behind the Bed
Copy this decor idea:
A headboard or some kind of large cushion will make your bed feel a lot cozier! It’s also so much nicer to be able to lay back and rest your head on your headboard. Especially since most dorm beds don’t have any kind of headboard.
You don’t want to spend too much money on a headboard since you’ll only have it for a year or two while you’re in the dorms, but it’s definitely a nice to have that makes your dorm feel like an actual bedroom instead of a cold box lol.
9. Deck Out Your Desk Area
Copy this decor idea:
Your desk area is one of the best places to decorate your dorm! Add some pictures that remind you of home, some college decor, organizers, a cute lamp, and maybe some vanity items so your desk can double as a vanity.
A cork board is a great piece to hang above your desk so you can decorate it with pictures, notes, and other small items that make your room feel more personalized.
Take advantage of this space! You can use your desk to store a lot of your belongings, while still making it look cute and aesthetic.
10. Layer Rugs for Texture
Copy this decor idea:
Rugs are going to be your best friend in the dorms! You’re either going to have carpet in your dorm room, or tiles or wood floors. Either way, you still don’t want to sit on those disgusting floors!
Covering them up with a rug or two is the way to go! If you want to layer rugs (a super cute look!), use a natural or woven rug as your bigger rug and top it with a faux fur or cow hide rug that’s a little more stylish and cozy.
This is such a great idea that will instantly bring warmth into your room. It’s also so much nicer sitting on rugs rather than the uncomfortable dorm floors.
11. Functional Decor = Win-Win
Copy this decor idea:
When it comes to decorating your dorm, look for decor that also doubles as storage! Not every piece of decor has to also be a storage space, but you definitely want a few pieces that give you some extra drawers or cubbies for your clothes and superfluous items.
The reality is, your closet and dresser that comes with the dorm won’t be enough space for all of your belongings, so anything that can give you even a little bit of extra storage is a win!
Under your bed is a good place to keep these storage pieces. There’s a decent amount of room under there so use it wisely!
12. Lighting Beyond Overhead Fluorescents
Copy this decor idea:
I think my roommate and I turned on the overhead lights maybe two times the entire year! They’re super harsh and bright, so most of the time, you’re going to want to keep them off.
A few lamps and extra lights will be enough to keep your room well-lit without the fluorescent lights. Warm lighting is the best for making your dorm feel super cozy!
One or two lamps and some fairy lights will do the trick!
13. Use Wall Space Wisely
Every inch of your dorm is space you can use for storage and decor. Your room is not very big, but you can still do a lot with it!
And the walls are great places to add your decor, some extra storage, and personalize your dorm! Just make sure whatever you hang on the walls doesn’t do any damage! The fee you have to pay for any damage to your dorm isn’t worth it!
Command strips and command hooks will be your best friend. Just make sure to be careful when pulling them off the wall at the end of the year (if you yank them off, there’s a good chance some paint will come off of the wall with them).
14. Pick a Theme or Color Scheme
You don’t have to spend a ton of money on your dorm to make it look cute and put-together. By choosing a theme or color to decorate your dorm with, it will give it that cohesive aesthetic look (like the dorms you see on Pinterest :)).
Your bedding is the best way to add cute pieces to your dorm on a budget. You’re going to need bedding anyway, so if you don’t have a whole let else going on in your dorm, choose a brighter duvet cover or patterned sheets to make your room pop and give it some personality.
15. Snack Station or Mini Coffee Bar
A snack station not only looks cute, but is also such a nice to have! You’re going to want to use the area by your fridge for this. Get a little narrow cart (doesn’t have to be anything too big) and add your favorite snacks and drinks.
It’s like a little kitchenette where you have all of your food.
And if you have a little bit more space and are a big coffee drinker (if you’re not already, those early morning classes might turn you into one haha), you can make such a cute coffee cart with your mugs, coffee maker, and pods.
It’s like your own mini Starbucks in your dorm, because going to Starbucks every morning probably doesn’t fit in the budget (unfortunately).
16. Gallery Lights for Ambience
Copy this decor idea:
Gallery lights are such a cute addition to your dorm to add some extra accent lighting, and make your pictures or artwork stand out! It definitely makes your room look elevated too!
Command light clips are going to be your best bet for hanging these up (and making sure they don’t fall down!). You can also use a couple of adhesive command strips for each light, but they’re definitely not as strong as the actual clips.
17. Wallpaper to Bring the Walls to Life
Copy this decor idea:
Contact wallpaper is such a great way to cover up the stale dorm walls and make your room look so much more aesthetic!
You also don’t have to worry about damaging the walls since contact wallpaper is like a big sticker.
Doing this around your whole dorm is definitely a lot of work so you might want to choose one or two accent walls in your room (like behind your bed) to wallpaper.
18. Extra Seating Under Bed
Copy this decor idea:
If you don’t need the area under your bed for storage (move in first before you make your final decision), you can turn it into a super cute and functional sitting area!
It’s definitely nice to have some extra seating in your dorm (that’s not your bed), especially when your friends come over.
A small love seat is the perfect fit for the space under your dorm bed! Just make sure to measure first to save yourself the hassle of it not fitting.
19. Cute and Functional Storage
Copy this decor idea:
I’ll say it before, and I’ll say it again – the more storage the better! A cute storage ottoman serves a lot of purposes. You can use it as extra seating, store some personal belongings in it, and use it as a place to put laundry when you’re too tired to fold it haha.
This is also a good piece to take with you when you move into your first apartment. Like your dorm, the more storage you have in your apartment, the better off you’ll be.
20. Bed Skirt to Hide the Storage
Copy this decor idea:
If you don’t want to see any of the storage under your bed, and want to keep your room super clean and minimal, a bed skirt will do the job!
You’ll still have easy access to everything under your bed, there’s just a little curtain there so you don’t have to see everything under there all of the time.
21. Add Pictures From Home
There’s nothing better than looking up at your walls and seeing your favorite pictures from home! It’s super comforting to have those memories to look back on.
You can also add photos of your friends at college to your wall so it’s the best of both worlds. A good reminder of your hometown friends and family, and some new memories you make with your college friends!
You can also do a polaroid wall of all of the people who visit your dorm. It’s super fun to look back on throughout the year and see how your friend group has changed and grown!
This post was all about the best dorm room decor ideas that’ll make you forget you’re in a dorm.
Other Posts You May Like:
28 Dorm Room Organization Ideas That Will Help You Breathe Again In a Tight Space
33 Insanely Useful College Dorm Room Essentials Every College Student Should Own
