We all know dorm rooms can be small and not feel very homey. However, with a place where we are spending countless hours in studying, sleeping, and growing our debt, the least we can do is add some personal touches to make it more “us”.
Here are eight creative ways to use a smaller space and incorporate different styles.
1. I do believe in fairy…lights
The harsh fluorescent lights usually found in dorm rooms make it hard to break out of that school feel. Adorning your space with fairy lights, strung across the ceiling or even behind the head of your bed, can make your space feel warmer and more cozy.
Super cheap and even with battery-operated options (no hanging cords), these lights are a quick and easy way to warm your space.
2. A Picture is Worth A Thousand Words
If you’re living in a dorm, you’re probably a good distance from home. Feeling homesick and missing the people and places we love is normal. Displaying pictures or even postcards from our favorite spots is a good way to keep those good vibes going.
You can get funky with how you display photos, from creating a cute cork board to hang above your desk to using string and clothespins to line your wall. There are even frames with cute geometric designs to keep your style eclectic.
3. A Magic Carpet
A rug in the center of your dorm room can add some cozy flair and comfort. You can choose a thick plush rug, which is nice for bare feet, or something with bright colors and patterns to open up the space. Centering your room with a rug can help bring a homey vibe to your space.
4. RISE Above Clutter
You may have heard of these cool little tools called risers. You place the posts of your bed frame on it, creating a taller bed and more room to store things underneath. Dorm rooms are small enough as it is, so utilizing your space in the most efficient way will help you feel less crowded and more relaxed.
5. Cast your Vision
You are at college, studying your passion and pursuing things you’ve dreamed about for years. Keep yourself motivated with a motivational quote, a vision board, or even a picture of where it is you hope to travel to once you’ve achieved your dream.
Surrounding yourself with positivity will help keep your eye on the prize. You can even have a letter board on your desk and change what it says every so often to keep the optimism flowing.
6. Home is Where the heART Is
Display some art. Maybe it’s a drawing your little sister did for you. Maybe it’s a poster of your favorite artist’s painting (let’s get real, many of us can’t afford the real deal — especially with student loans).
You can even go retro and display pictures of your favorite musicians. Choose something bright and colorful (tapestries work too!) and it’ll become a focal point of your space.
7. Sorry, I’m BOOKed tonight
It is inevitable that your dorm room will have some books in it. Hopefully it’s a nice mix of academia and pleasure reading. But either way, cool bookends are a more enticing and stylish way to display them.
They have styles for everyone, from minimalist to bright and colorful and even fake greenery.
8. PLANT Some Inspiration
Plants are a good way to open up a space. The greenery gives us the opportunity to see growth right in front of our eyes and naturally transforms a space into a more calming, natural atmosphere.
Make sure you find something that can thrive indoors and doesn’t need too much maintenance since you’ll be busy enough with your head in the books.
Which dorm decor ideas do you plan on trying? Let us know in the comments!
Feature Image by Sarah Brown on Unsplash
