19 Trendy Dorm Room Ideas

If you’re looking for some new ideas to create a stunning dorm room that’ll be the envy of all your friends then you’ve come to the right place. This post is packed with 19 fun ideas to create a dorm that is functional and beautiful. Plus, I’ll show you where to get the best stuff to make your dorm look like the gorgeous ones below.

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Find Art to Express Your Personality

IMAGE SOURCE | COREYPAIGE_DESIGNS

Pick out some art to express your personality like the Corey Paige Design art work in this dorm room. Find accessories like pillows and bedding to match your art to give your dorm a pulled together feel. Check out my favorite picks for bright fun art work that would look great in your dorm room below.

My Favorite Dorm Room Art Finds

DORM ART | WHERE TO FIND

ONE | LIP ART PRINT

TWO | SET OF SIX TRENDY WALL ART PRINTS

THREE | SET OF 8 RETRO ART DIGITAL DOWNLOARD

FOUR | PINK SMILEY ART PRINT

FIVE | PINK LIPS WALL ART

Add an Aesthetic Photo Wall Collage

IMAGE SOURCE | COREYPAIGE_DESIGNS

Another way to add a ton of personality and a focal point to your dorm room for cheap is to add an aesthetic photo collage. It would look amazing right above your bed. What I love about this idea is there are tons of options in every style possible. Check out some of my favorites below.

Best Aesthetic Photo Collages for Your Dorm Room

AESTHETIC PHOTO COLLAGES | WHERE TO FIND

ONE | 80S WALL COLLAGE KIT

TWO | BEACH AESTHETIC PHOTO COLLAGE KIT

THREE | PEACH AESTHETIC WALL COLLAGE KIT

FOUR | BOTANICAL WALL COLLAGE KIT

FIVE | BOUJEE WALL PHOTO KIT

If you want more ideas for this then check out this post-

Aesthetic Pictures for Wall Collage | 20 Ideas for Your Bedroom

Add a Headboard to Your Dorm Bed

IMAGE SOURCE | AFTERFIVEDESIGNS

Most dorm beds don’t come with a headboard and if they do it’s usually not amazing. So, why not instantly take your room up a notch by adding a headboard. This instantly adds class to your room and makes your room feel more like a real bedroom. Below check out some of my favorite twin headboards including one that sticks to the wall and others that you can easily lean against the wall.

My Favorite Dorm Room Headboards

DORM ROOM HEADBOARDS | WHERE TO FIND

ONE | LEATHER STICK ON HEADBOARD

TWO | WHITE FAUX LEATHER HEADBOARD

THREE | GREY TUFTED HEADBOARD

FOUR | HEADBOARD WITH STORAGE

FIVE | TAN UPHOLSTERED METAL HEADBOARD

Add Bed Skirts to Hide Underbed Storage

IMAGE SOURCE | AFTERFIVEDESIGNS

In dorm room you’ll need to use every opportunity for storage that you can get so you’ll definitely need underbed storage. But, you don’t want everyone to see it. So, a great idea is to a add bed skirt that hides all the clutter underneath. You may need an extra-long bed skirt if your dorm bed is high like many of them are.

Add Neon Name Signs

IMAGE SOURCE | AFTERFIVEDESIGNS

Dorm room neon name signs are really hot right now. One would look amazing over your bed. You can customize them with your name, nick name or a fun saying and they come in tons of fun colors. Below check my favorite options for getting a custom neon sign for your dorm.

Custom Neon Name Signs

NEON NAME SIGNS | WHERE TO FIND

ONE | CUSTOM NEON SIGN FROM AMAZON

TWO | CUSTOM NEON SIGN FROM ETSY

Add Interest with a Bold Pattern

IMAGE SOURCE | AFTERFIVEDESIGNS

Adding a bold pattern to the fabrics in your dorm room is an easy way to make a statement. You can try this with curtains, bedding or even an area rug. If your school doesn’t allow you to add a curtain rod in the wall you could try a tension curtain rod to hang your curtains with no hole in the wall!

Create Symmetry in Your Dorm Room

IMAGE SOURCE | LOUBIESANDLULU

When you create symmetry in your dorm room it instantly creates a designer feel. You’ve got to get your roommate on board and pick out your bedding and accessories together to pull this look off. In the dorm pictured above they not only have matching bedding but also lamps, ottomans and headboards.

Create a Focal Point with a Tapestry

IMAGE SOURCE | JAHNAEPOSTEDDATT

Adding a tapestry to the wall by your bed gives you the best bang for your buck. It’s cheaper than a large piece of art but will instantly give you that focal point you’re going for. There are tons of options depending on your style. Check out my favorites below.

Dorm Room Tapestries

DORM ROOM TAPESTRIES | WHERE TO FIND

ONE | BOHO MACRAME TAPESTRY

TWO | FOGGY FOREST TAPESTRY

THREE | ORANGE SUNSET TAPESTRY

FOUR | MANDELA FLOWER TAPESTRY

FIVE | BOHO YELLOW FLOWER WALL HANGING

SIX | OCEAN SUNRISE TAPESTRY

Create a Boho Dorm Room

IMAGE SOURCE | DORMIFY

If you love the boho vibes then incorporate those into your room with natural colors and textures and soft free flowing fabrics and pillows. In the dorm room pictured above see how simple light colors create a calming, peaceful vibe for the room. If you want to create a boho look in your dorm check out some of my favorite pieces below to pull it off.

My Favorite Boho Dorm Room Décor

BOHO DORM ROOM DÉCOR | WHERE TO FIND

ONE | MACRAME MAGAZINE HOLDER

TWO | BOHO WALL HANGING

THREE | BOHO ART PRINTS SET OF 12

FOUR | BOHO WOVEN WALL HANGING

FIVE | MACRAME PLANT HANGERS

Make Your Own Lighting

IMAGE SOURCE | JENNYREIMOLD

Lighting is a great way to make a statement in your dorm room. Jenny Reimold created this DIY chandelier for her daughter’s dorm to do just that. She started with a seagrass pendant and then she used hook and loop tape to attached a remote-controlled puck light to the hardware inside. Then she tied white rubber coated electrical wire to the pendant and hung it from a screw hook on the ceiling. Do you love this idea? Then check out what you need to pull it off below.

DIY Pendant Idea

DIY SEAGRASS PENDANT | WHAT YOU NEED

ONE | CEILING SCREW HOOK

TWO | HOOK AND LOOP TAPE

THREE | SEAGRASS PENDANT

FOUR | COLOR CHANGING REMOTE CONTROLLED PUCK LIGHT

FIVE | WHITE ELECTICAL WIRE

Organization Dorm Room Ideas

IMAGE SOURCE | MDESIGN

Take the time to think about your organization and how to maximize it in your room. There are tons of great products out there that can help you do that. Here they’ve included clear stackable bins with lids, a night stand with fabric storage cubes, a shower caddy, a bedside caddy and even a suction cup shelf. Check out below where to get these products.

Dorm Room Organization Finds

DORM ROOM ORGANIZATION IDEAS | WHERE TO FIND

ONE | CLOTHES STORAGE BAGS

TWO | SUCTION CUP SHELF

THREE | BEDSIDE POCKET CADDY

FOUR | NIGHT STAND WITH FABRIC BINS | MORE COLORS

FIVE | SET OF 8 STACKABLE BINS

SIX | SHOWER CADDY

Make Your Furniture Do Double Duty

IMAGE SOURCE | INTERIORINSPO14

With space limited in your dorm it helps when you can make a piece of furniture do double duty or even more! Here the desk can be used as a vanity, a night stand and as extra storage.

Closet Organization Dorm Room Ideas

IMAGE SOURCE | JENNYREIMOLD

Dorm closets are usually very minimal but you can make the most of every inch by adding matching wicker baskets, fabric bins, a shoe rack and pretty velvet hangers.

Set up a Seating Area

IMAGE SOURCE | AFTERFIVEDESIGNS

If you’re lucky enough to have a little extra room in your dorm, why not create a seating area? Here they maximized a small space by using a small armless couch and two ottomans that double as storage and a coffee table.

Dorm Room Ideas to Create a Beautiful Desk Area

IMAGE SOURCE | JENNYREIMOLD

You’ll be spending a lot of time working on college papers and studying at your desk so take the time to make it a place that you want to be. It’s all about the details. Pick out desk organization pieces that you love. Layer in your favorite pictures, and décor and don’t forget plants! For her daughter, Jenny Reimold even switched out the boring chair that came in the dorm with a chair that fit with the style of the room. If you want to create a pretty desk space in your dorm check out my favorite finds below to do that.

The Best Desk Accessories for Your Dorm

DORM ROOM DESK ACCESSORIES | WHERE TO FIND

ONE | PRETTY PHONE, WATCH AND AIRPOD CHARGING STATION

TWO | PINK VELVET OFFICE CHAIR

THREE | ROSE GOLD INDUSTRAIL DESK LAMP

FOUR | WICKER MAGAZINE HOLDER

FIVE | ROSE GOLD DESK ORGANIZER

 

Use Curtains as a Closet Door

IMAGE SOURCE | LOUBIESANDLULU

Many dorms have open closets. You don’t want everyone to see your clutter so try hanging pretty curtains to make your dorm room feel tidy and finished. Here are some curtains with poms similar to those pictured.

Add a Dramatic Rug to Your Dorm Room

IMAGE SOURCE | AFTERFIVEDESIGNS

Let’s be honest, dorm rooms usually don’t have beautiful carpeting. The dorm room carpet is made to withstand college kids. So, adding an area rug is an easy way to instantly transform your space. Adding a bold pattern with your area rug is a fun and easy way to add drama to your dorm room or choose a neutral color with some texture to soften the feel in your room. Here is a leopard area rug similar to the one pictured.

Coordinate with Your Roommate

IMAGE SOURCE | AFTERFIVEDESIGNS

If you don’t know your roommate give them a call ahead of time to coordinate your bedding colors to really add that wow factor to your dorm room. Here they have a gorgeous lilac that is echoed through the bedding, throw pillows and even the stunning art.

Use Art to Inspire Your Color Scheme

IMAGE SOURCE | AFTERFIVEDESIGNS

In this bedroom the bold colorful art makes the room. The colors from the painting are reflected in the bedding, pillows and the desk skirt. Check out Etsy and find a piece of art you love to inspire your dorm room design.

I hope checking out these 19 stylish dorm room ideas has inspired you to try something new in your dorm room this year. You’ll be spending a ton of time in your dorm room. The most important thing is to make sure that your room shows off your style, personality and is a place you love to be!

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