Get inspired with these dorm room ideas.
College move-in day is rapidly approaching, and there's a lot to prepare for in the meantime. You will probably end up spending a lot of time in your dorm room, so you want to make your space feel like your own. Show off your personality with trendy decor and bedding and even find ways to sneak in extra storage. Learn how to turn your home away from home into a space you'll enjoy with our 12 favorite dorm room decorating ideas.
1. Transform the Vibe With Temporary Wallpaper
Add some short-term personality to your dorm room with peel-and-stick wallpaper. With an easy-to-use adhesive background, this paper is simple to install and then remove at the end of the year to avoid any extra fees. Use it as an accent behind your bed or above your desk for a little splash of color and pattern.
Shop Peel-and-Stick/Removable Wallpaper
2. Add Extra Storage With Ottomans & Poufs
Dorm rooms offer very little for space and storage, so you want to maximize room with smart furniture choices. Instead of trying to fit in accent chairs that take up valuable square footage, opt for a comfy option like an ottoman or pouf that can be pulled out or put away whenever needed. Even better, they can also be used to store hard-to-organize items like shoes. For more tips on sneaky dorm room storage, check out our guide, Dorm Storage For Those Who Don't Pack Light.
3. Soften the Space With an Area Rug
Most dorm rooms have cold vinyl tiling that isn't inviting on a chilly morning. Encourage yourself to get out of bed for that 8 am class with a plush rug that gives your toes some much-needed comfort as you start your day. Try to stay in the 3' x 5'-size range, in either a rectangle or round shape.
Shop 3' x 5' Rugs
Shop 3'–4' Round/Rectangle Rugs
Overhead lighting in dorm rooms is usually either too harsh or so dim that you can barely see the homework in front of you. Adding in hints of ambient lighting helps make the room feel cozy. Keep in mind that you'll have limited floor space, so hanging illumination such as string lights or pendant lamps with a plug-in feature are great options.
Shop Indoor String Lights
Shop Pendant Lights
5. Show Off Your Favorites With Display Shelves
Floating shelves are a great way to show off your trinkets without taking up space. They adhere directly onto the wall so you can utilize extra wall space above your desk or bed. Display pictures of friends and family back home, your favorite vinyl, and more. Remember to save room for anything you collect throughout the semester.
Shop Floating Shelves
Shop Bracket Shelves
Shop Accent Shelves
6. Use Bar Carts for Movable Organization
Bar carts are more attractive than the typical plastic storage towers, so we love using them to house extra items in dorm rooms. Plus, a bar cart's movability makes it an especially helpful storage hack. With a bar cart, you can set up a coffee station with a single-size coffee maker, mugs, and pods all in one convenient place. You can also use your bar cart to organize makeup and other toiletries to cart down to the hall bath, hands-free.
Shop Bar Carts
Shop Coffee Makers
Shop Coffee Mugs
Shop Makeup Organizers
7. Feature a Comfy Comforter
In the dorm, your bed ends up being your home base. Whether you stop by to take a nap in between classes, have friends over to watch a movie, or do some late-night cramming, you want your bed to be a cozy reflection of you. Make your bedding better than basic bold colors and patterns. You can also add decorative pillows for an extra punch of style.
Tip!
Don't forget a mattress pad for a little extra protection and comfort. We suggest mattress pads that are hypoallergenic, stain-resistant, and designed to prevent bed bugs.
8. Go Faux With Desk Plants & Terrariums
Limited sunlight and an ever-changing schedule can make it difficult to keep finicky plants alive in the dorm. Instead, swap out your live greenery for some faux plants in a terrarium that also doubles as decor. If you really miss gardening, go with something low maintenance you can keep on your desk or windowsill. You can have a cactus, succulent, or even bonsai tree right on your desk.
{
Shop Faux Desk Top Plants
Shop Terrariums
Shop Mini Live Plants
9. Play With the Magic of Mirrors
Mirrors help make your dorm room look bigger and give you a way to do a quick outfit check as you're running out the door. Hang accent mirrors on opposite walls to help enlarge the space and reflect what light you do have. Remember floor space is limited, so opt for a full-length mirror that hangs over the back of a door instead of propping one on the floor against the wall.
Shop Accent Mirrors
Shop Over-the-Door Full-Length Mirrors
10. Jazz Up Your Blank Slate With Wall Decor
Those cinderblock walls can hold a lot of decor. Bring your dorm to life with wall art, tapestries, even temporary sticker decals. When putting anything on the walls, double-check with your school's decor policy and remember adhesive strips are better than nails in this case.
Shop Canvas Art
Shop Tapestries
Shop Wall Decals
11. Create a Photo Wall & Collage
If your shelf space is limited, you can hang up photos instead. These collage picture frames can display anywhere from two to seven photos – or more! – with plenty of room to add more shots throughout the year as well.
Shop Collage Picture Frames
12. Choose Entertainment That Doubles as Decor
Make your dorm room the hub for movie night. Instead of trying to fit in a clunky and expensive TV, swap it out for a projector. Double your wall tapestry as a screen and cast movies and shows so big that everyone on your hall can come and enjoy them with you.
If you have a record player, consider a decorative audio stand to keep it protected (and cute!) while you and your friends jam out to your favorite songs.
Shop Projectors
Be sure to check out Wayfair's Back to College Site site for everything you need to head back to school this year, including organization tips, bathroom must-haves, and other dorm room decorating ideas.
