Going to college is a rollercoaster of emotions. When it comes to decorating your dorm room, it should be exciting and fun! Your dorm should be a place for you to express your personality but also a functional space. You’ll need to eat, sleep, study, and even hang with friends there. So how should you plan to decorate your new, tiny abode? Let’s jump right in.

Start With a Theme and Color Scheme

Before making any big purchases, commit to a theme. It could be as simple as a color scheme, as breezy as a vibe, or more thoughtful like a particular style. Some of my absolute favorites are:

Colors

• Single color dorm themes- These are hands down my favorite! Focusing on a single color is simple but can make a big statement in your room! 
• Multi-color dorm themes- Using more than one color takes a bit more thought, but the results can be super stylish! Remember that color wheel from art class? Think of complementary colors. Or just pick colors that you’ve seen and look good together. 

Themes

Beachy- If you love the beach, why not bring it to the dorm? This is a classic theme and can bring calmness and serenity to your space. An ocean tapestry and some string lights can go a long way when you’re going for a beachy vibe.

Minimalist- This one can be easy - if you don’t need it for college, don't bring it! Opt for basic and modern styles without any excess frill. Minimalism can help you focus on your priorities by getting rid of the clutter.  

Bohemian- “Boho” is a popular theme for college students. It gives off vibes of being carefree and relaxed–perfect for a dorm room.

Preppy- If neat, studious, and conservative are your style, consider a dorm room decked out in college letters and colors, plaid, stripes, herringbone, gingham, or a stylish combination of those.

Once you commit there's usually no going back (especially on a college budget). Spend time on Pinterest looking at ideas and see which ones speak to you the most. Consider creating a "dorm room vision board" to use as a reference while you're shopping. Fill it with your favorite colors, patterns, textures, pieces, quotes, places, or anything from which you draw inspiration! Create a virtual collage board or do it the old fashion way–magazine clippings, scissors, glue, and a poster board. Making a visual representation of your tastes and interests can help create the room you’ve always wanted. 

The Walls 

 If you've got a central wall space take the opportunity to decorate big here. Think of it, literally, as a blank canvas. What do you want to feel when you walk Into your dorm room each day? A comfy, cozy study space? A high-fashion, chic shrine? A rustic and traditional space? Don't think of how others will look at it, but focus instead on how it will make you feel each day. Some ideas to consider:

Pictures

Add photo collages or collect unique frames and fill each one with images of your closest friends and family. Be sure to keep some empty space for future moments with your new friends.

A Quote

Find a fitting quote and use a pre-made wall sticker or have one custom-made on Etsy. Song lyrics, a movie quote, or an inspirational mantra to get you going each morning. It's simple yet makes a statement about you.

Art

If colors and art are your thing, find some pieces for your wall space. Don't be afraid to add lots or focus on one central piece! It's more budget-friendly if you purchase just the prints and then frame them yourself using inexpensive frames. Start looking in the summertime at yard sales! I once scored a set of oversized antiqued, brown picture frames for a dollar each and then used a bit of turquoise chalk paint on them and added a picture collage that I printed out on Snapfish.com. They’re probably the coolest picture frames I own. 

Here's another idea–skip the frames completely and decorate your walls with just art prints or photographs. It's a great minimalist style and will help keep your budget in check.    

Better yet, commission your artistic friends to help. Unique pieces from artists you know are way more meaningful than the mass-produced stuff you find at Target and can often be tailored to the vibe for which you are looking.

Tapestries

Nothing says “college” quite like a cool tapestry. I can recall donning colorful tapestries on all the walls in college and then doubling them as togas for our yearly toga parties! 

A Combination

If you can’t decide, try a combination of the above. Choose one as your focal point and then accentuate it with some smaller items, There are no rules, and you can be as creative as you want.  

A Warning

Whatever you do, be cautious of what your dorm rules are on adding nails into the walls. There could be a strict policy about holes in the walls which could result in hefty fees for damage. You don't want to be stuck with a bill at the end of the year, even in the name of art! Ask about the rules then, if necessary, hang your pieces with Command Strips. Be careful not to damage the walls with those, either. Follow the removal directions when you are ready to take them down to avoid any more damage fees. 

Let’s Talk Plants 

Adding plants to a room can help make it feel like home. For many, that feeling is warm and inviting. Even a single plant can add that comfort to a room. If you’re anything like college me, you definitely didn't want the responsibility of taking care of another living thing–even if it was just a plant. Fake plants can be a perfect alternative for anyone longing for the green-thumb façade without needing to provide sunlight and water each day.  

Curtains

You aren't going to enjoy seeing the bare, boxy dorm windows day in and day out. Dress them up with some inexpensive curtains. Depending on the size of your windows, you may want to keep them simple with a set of decorative panels or be a bit more elaborate by adding tiebacks or a valance.  Chances are there will be some blinds already when you move in and adding a little fabric to the frame can do wonders to the feeling and style of the room. Be sure to coordinate with your roommates on this one since windows are a shared space within the room.   

Lights

My absolute favorite addition to any dorm are string lights! Set them up at the beginning of the school year, and you've got a calming, fun, and spirited vibe all year long!  First, you'll need to figure out what length you are going to need and whether they are a plug-in or solar powered  If your dorm gets a direct hit from the sun each day, then solar could be the way to go. Once you’ve figured out the length and type, you’ll want to determine how you want to hang them. You want to avoid using anything that could damage the walls when they come down at the end of the year. Fortunately, there are plenty of ways to hang your string lights without nails.

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An Area Rug

During my first year of college, I can recall how terrible the cold tile floor was every morning waking up for class. Many dorms are fortunate to have carpeting, if not, then an area rug is an excellent addition. Aside from the chic homey feel, you'll achieve from one simple carpet–it is also a practical purchase. When you wake up on those cold December mornings to get to class and can't find your slippers, you will thank me!

Decorating on a Budget

Decorating a dorm room isn't a necessity and the hefty expense can make it easy to skip altogether. But there are ways around it! Set a budget and stick to it. Scour yard sales and Facebook Marketplace for deals on what you are looking for. Talk to any graduating seniors you know and see what they may be getting rid of. The Target dollar bin will be your favorite shopping aisle. If there are still some big ticket items that aren't in the budget, consider adding in some extra income with a college side hustle.

Functionality

While it’s easy to get carried away with the décor of your dorm, you may need to stop and think about how practical your space is. It’s hard to cram your whole life in a tiny dorm room. You owe it to your roommates not to clutter the space with too much stuff. Get creative on how to organize and store your belongings. Hide shoes or towels in an ottoman. Use bed risers to add space under your bed for storage or even your entire desk. Keep this in mind first and foremost when planning your room.

Don’t Neglect the Door

When you sit back and admire the beautiful space you’ve created in your frills, remember-not to neglect your outside space. A doormat and a DIY wreath can be inviting and warm and add character to your entrance. I loved changing my outdoor décor with the season. Get your floormates together and have a “DIY wreath craft night”. Dollar stores are amazing for inexpensive craft supplies.   

Please Don't

Whatever you do, don’t add candles or other fire hazards to your dorm shopping list! Candles are a hazard in college dorms and are likely not even allowed. There are great flameless options to look into that give the candle effect without the danger of fire. Decorative pillows are another “leave at home” item. They waste so much space, end up on the floor at bedtime, and are generally a waste of money.  

Final Thoughts 

When moving in to your dorm room, the possibilities are endless when it comes to decorating. Only you can determine what will make your dorm feel like your home away from home. Coupled with a budget in hand, you can make a space that is both your style and practical at the same time. A little planning and you’ll have a dream dorm in no time. Leave the hard part of college for studying– because when you're all done decorating, chances are you will be doing much of that in this room you created.  

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