Whether you’re a soon-to-be college student or the mom of one, when it comes to dorm room decor ideas, you may be overwhelmed with all that needs to be done. Not only are you unsure how to make it all happen in time without pulling your hair out, but also how not to break the bank while doing it. Take heart, we’ve got you covered. We’ve scoured the web from Pinterest to Tiktok to Instagram and more, and compiled the best ideas and hacks for both guys and girls.
Dorm Room Decor Ideas
1. Decide on your layout.
You’re probably working with a small space, so getting the most of your layout is one of the most important steps of setting up a dorm room for a new college student. Check with your school to find out the dimensions and what kind of space you’re working with before deciding on any dorm room decor. Consult with your roommate to ensure you both agree on the layout of the space before getting started. You may even decide you want to coordinate. Check out what this mom did to both harness the space with a smart layout, as well as make her daughter’s room look fabulous:
@shiftedbeauty It took forever !! #tsu #fyp #collegemovein #dorm #dormroom #tenneseestateuniversity #dormideas #daughter #dormbed ♬ Leave The Door Open – Bruno Mars & Anderson .Paak & Silk Sonic
And just because you’re a guy, that doesn’t mean you can’t kill it with your layout and dorm room decor. Check out #ajboes on TikTok for how he incorporated some manly ideas and boy blue:
@ajboes hire me as your interior designer #dormroom #dorm #college #fyp #foryoupage ♬ to the salon shortened – Charlotte Roberts
2. Choose your bedding.
Because your bedding will likely be a main agent for adding color into your room, picking this first can set the stage for your dorm room decor.
If you’re looking to incorporate pink or other fabulous girly color schemes, check out #cute_dormroomideas on Instagram.
View this post on Instagram
Guys might get some inspiration from #dormify on TikTok.
@dormify Reply to @henri331_ guys- we gotchu don’t worry😌 #dormrooms #dormdecor #guys #college #frats #outerbanks #obx ♬ relaaaax john b – dormify
3. Add your flair.
Twinkle lights are always a popular and inexpensive way to add some fun and joy to your dorm room decor. You might string them in rows along a whole wall, make an X across the ceiling, or surround your bed.
View this post on Instagram
Some guys like to add a black light, or a light-up sign. If you’re really into bands, add some posters to your ceiling.
If you’re into sports teams, how about hanging some jerseys or hats on your wall using an over the door coat hanger.
If you’re an introvert and need a little extra alone time, you might use pushpins to hang fabric around the perimeter of your bed. You can use a single piece of ribbon to gather each piece and have your “curtains” open when you aren’t in introvert mode.
Just looking for some inspiration? Check out #demi_knoetze on TikTok for how she transformed a plain dorm room into a cozy and stylish space.
@demi_knoetze before & after 🎉 #dormroom #dormroominspo #dormroomideas #collegedorm #college #maties ♬ chasing donuts toxic – astr0flms
Click on for some great dorm room hacks.