I just graduated college in May 2024 and seeing all of the back-to-school dorm hauls is making me very nostalgic right now, so I figured why not share my 4 years of wisdom (if you can call it that) with those still in college! My experience wasn’t exactly a typical one. I started college soon after COVID hit, so there were many restrictions. But some good did come out of it. I got a 3 person room all to myself! And decorating a huge dorm room meant to fit 3 personalities takes a lot of creativity. Through the years, I added more to my decoration collection. Spicing it up for the holidays, of course. Plus, I’ve seen hundreds of other dorm room decor that always inspired me to change up my style. So, let’s get into the decor you should be looking out for this year to make your dorm room the best!
Decor Aesthetic
Finding your dorm room decor aesthetic is the first step. Are you going for preppy, indie, boho… The choices are endless. But I promise you, starting here is going to help decide what decor you want to spend your money on.
This could even be as simple as color combinations. Pink and green, blue and gray, orange and white. Whatever fits your vibe. Here are some examples of good color combinations to make your dorm room pop!
Calendars, White Boards, Cork Boards
These are essential regardless of aesthetic! I have one that was all of the above in one and trust me it is a LIFE SAVER. Keep track of your classes, parties, important events, and spruce it up with some cute pictures with your friends! College life can get chaotic QUICK, so make sure to have the important things somewhere you will see it.
These is also great if you are in an apartment or have a roommate where you have different schedules or need to leave each other a note. Anything from “Have a great FDOC!” to “We’re almost out of milk, can you pick some up?”. White boards are fantastic dorm decor. And the best news — you can buy them pretty much anywhere.
Bed Sheets and Throw Pillows
This was the hardest decision in my college experience. Bed sheets. They can make or break your dorm room decor vibe. I went with a classic white bed set and threw in some pink and yellow accents with pillows and blankets. Not the smartest choice in retrospect. The white looked great for the first few weeks, but eventually it just looked dingy and the fluffiness went away 🙁
I definitely recommend a neutral color for your sheets and comforter because you can always spruce it up with some pillow accents. Try to avoid white because it will get dirty fast! Even if you think you’ll be mindful about it, there is going to be some moment when you spill something on your bed. Nail polish, food, a drink, you name it. It could stain.
My favorite places to buy bed supplies are Amazon (duh), HomeGoods, Bed Bath and Beyond, Target, Pottery Barn, and (surprisingly) Five Below. Obviously, these places have very different prices so shoot for what is in your budget this year and maybe next year you can upgrade!
Another decoration some prefer, is the head board. I have seen SO many DIY tik toks on how to make an affordable head board for your college dorm, and honestly it’s a great alternative. These are necessary and can be a hassle to set up. Of course, it all comes back to the vibes of your dorm room decor. Sometimes a head board can bring the entire bed together.
The Walls…
This is the most dreading part. Posters, CDs, pictures, vines, tapestries, fairy lights. WHAT TO CHOOSE!?!?
Your aesthetic is going to play a large role here. If you’re going for indie head for those tapestries and if you’re going Boho get those vines! If you’re going for a full glam dorm decor look, there are wallpaper stickers you can find that will change those dingy dorm walls into beautiful brick or a fun color.
With the walls you have to be careful hanging things. Don’t use nails or tacks because your school may fine you for damaging the walls. I loved command strips, but sticky putty works great, too. Tape can also work in a pinch.
A great place to get posters if Posterfi.com. They have bundles or individuals and it’s where I got all of mine. They have all sorts of aesthetics, too. There’s something for everyone. You can even frame your posters for an elevated look!
Goodwill, Five Below, Target, HomeGoods, Amazon – all GREAT places to find your dorm wall decor. You can find LED lights/lamps, posters, artsy paintings, you name it. I also love the look of small mirrors on the walls and a good bag/key hook right by the door is always convenient.
You can head to Dormify.com for poster bundles, the wall stickers mentioned above, mirrors, photo displays, and much more! Definitely one of my top sites when I was buying my dorm room decor.
Miscellaneous
Another thing I loved about my dorm room was the disco ball. I found it when everyone was moving out my junior year and I still have it to this day. Hanging disco balls from the ceiling or just having it on your desk it a great way to liven up your dorm room.
If your college doesn’t provide desks and chairs, these are obviously essential for those study sessions. Choose comfort when finding one. And sometimes those chair cushions are pretty beneficial for those late nights. Of course desk decor is a must as well. Jewelry cases/dishes, mirrors, lamps. There is some stigma around the “college gold”. Personally I love it, but don’t let the gold over power the rest of your dorm room decor. A couple accents here and there are great, but once everything you own has this accent it becomes something of itself.
Rugs are also important and go back to your aesthetic. A cute fuzzy rug will likely get flat and gross in the first few months, so I recommend going with a shorter or more flat rug.
Plants are a cute addition in any dorm room. These can be fake if you don’t have a green thumb! Personally, I liked having succulents and cacti since they are easy to take care of but flowers are super pretty and can bring in color. Plants can also help purify the air, which is great in a stuffy dorm room.
Conclusion
All in all dorm room decor is hard. There are so many options. So many people you can become in college. Try to remember to stay true to yourself (and your budget). DIY some things! Reuse, reduce, recycle! You’ve got this. And remember, this is all MY OPINION. You don’t have to listen to me or agree with me, but I hope I’ve helped you at least a little bit.
For more inspo, I recommend checking out Pinterest and TikTok!