Home » For The Home » 37 Trendy Dorm Room Ideas & Cute Dorm Decor

37 Trendy Dorm Room Ideas & Cute Dorm Decor

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 37 fun dorm room ideas to create a space that's functional and beautiful. Plus, I’ll show you where to get the best stuff to make your dorm look like the gorgeous ones below.

This post may contain affiliate links. This means that if you make a purchase using my link, I make a small commission –at no cost to you. Read the full disclosure here.

How can I make a dorm room look good?

  • Coordinate colors with your roommate
  • Add personal touches like photos and art
  • Re-arrange your furniture to make the most of your space
  • Use curtains & bed skirts to hide storage

How can I decorate my dorm on a budget?

If you’re on a budget, there are tons of ideas to decorate your room that will give you a lot of bang for your buck.  Here are some ideas:

  • Add twinkle lights
  • Cover a wall with vines
  • Using tapestries on the ceiling or wall
  • Create a wall collage with photos or art

In this post I’ll show you all of these dorm room ideas and more.  Let's take a look at 37 ideas to create a cute, stylish and organized dorm room.

1 | Create a Photo Wall

photo wall in dorm room

IMAGE SOURCE | IMAGELIGHTINGSTORE

Creating a photo wall is a great way to decorate a blank wall in your dorm.  It will add a ton of personality to your space and its also cheap and easy to do.

You can either align your photos in straight lines or place them randomly for a more organic feel.  Either would look stylish.  A photo collage works well on the wall above your bed.

2 | Find Art to Express Your Personality

IMAGE SOURCE | COREYPAIGE_DESIGNS

Pick out some art to express your personality like the Corey Paige Design artwork 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 artwork that would look great in your dorm room below.

Dorm Room Wall Decor

DORM ART | WHERE TO FIND

ONE | SIMILAR LIP ART PRINT

TWO |SIMILAR SET OF SIX TRENDY WALL ART PRINTS

THREE | SET OF 8 RETRO ART DIGITAL DOWNLOARD

FOUR | SIMILAR PINK SMILEY ART POSTER

FIVE | PINK LIPS WALL ART

3 | Add Some Vines

vines in dorm room

IMAGE SOURCE | TAPESTRYGIRLS

If you’re looking for some cheap dorm room ideas then adding vines is an easy and inexpensive way to add a ton of impact to your room.  It gives your room that natural, boho feel.

When draping your vines remember they don’t have to be perfect.  You’ll get a more natural look if you hang them organically.

4 | 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.

Dorm Room Ideas Aesthetic

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

5 | Add Twinkle Lights

twinkle lights on wall

IMAGE SOURCE | IMAGELIGHTINGSTORE

Adding twinkle lights is an easy way to add both style and ambience to your room.  You can choose one wall and completely cover it with lights or drape your lights around your walls for a fun and pretty look.

6 | 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.

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

7 | Incorporate Plants

plants on shelf in dorm

IMAGE SOURCE | TAPESTRYGIRLS

Instantly liven up your room by adding some plants.  Any blank shelf, the top of your furniture, your windowsill or even on the floor is the perfect spot for plants.  If you don’t have a green thumb or your room does not get light, fake plants will look cute too.

8 | Use Bed Skirts to Hide Under bed Storage

IMAGE SOURCE | AFTERFIVEDESIGNS

In your dorm room you’ll need to use every opportunity for storage that you can get so you’ll definitely need under bed 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.

9 | Create a Floral Wall

floral wall

IMAGE SOURCE | TAPESTRYGIRLS

Looking for dorm room ideas to create a beautiful focal point but on the cheap? You can create a pretty floral wall.  You can either use faux flowers or dried flowers and place them in rows on your wall.

10 | Add Neon Name Signs

IMAGE SOURCE | AFTERFIVEDESIGNS

Dorm room neon name signs are really popular right now. One would look amazing over your bed. You can customize them with your name, nick name or a fun saying. Plus, 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

TWO | CURSIVE CUSTOM NEON SIGN WITH HEART

11 | Create a Wall Collage

dorm room ideas with photo wall

IMAGE SOURCE | COLLEGELIFEMADEASY

Here’s another easy decorating option that will add a ton of your personality to your dorm room.  Create a wall collage made up of favorite photos, artwork, printables, and anything else that you love.

12 | 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 holes in the wall!

13 | Add Some Beachy Vibes

beachy dorm room ideas

IMAGE SOURCE | TAPESTRYGIRLS

If you love the beach, why not add these vibes to your dorm room?  To do this you can start with a beach tapestry as your focal point.  Then add in beach accessories through bedding, pillows, and décor.

14 | 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.

15 | Add an Accent Chair

hanging chair in dorm room

IMAGE SOURCE | DORMLIGHTS

Consider adding a statement chair like a hanging boho chair to the corner of the room.  This will create a fun spot to hangout and read or visit with friends.  Plus, it also creates a beautiful focal point for your room.

If you want to add this to your dorm room, check out how to pull it off below.

Hanging Chair for Dorm Room

hanging hammock chair

WHERE TO FIND | MACRAME HANGING CHAIR

For many dorm rooms hanging a chair might not be an option.  There are chair stands that you can purchase that fit all hammock chairs.  Check out my favorite below.

Hammock Chair Stand

hammock chair stand

WHERE TO FIND | STAND FOR HANGING HAMMOCK CHAIR

16 | 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 accent wall 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

17 | Make the Most of an Awkward Wall

dorm room ideas with lights and butterflies

IMAGE SOURCE | DORMLIGHTS

Often times dorm rooms have odd architecture including awkward walls.  These features can actually look unique in a good way if you accentuate them with décor like rope lights or stick-on butterflies.

If you want to steal the style of this stylish room then check out my top picks below.

3D Butterfly Wall Decor

butterfly stickers

WHERE TO FIND | BUTTERFLY WALL STICKERS

Rope Lights for Dorm Room

rope lights

WHERE TO FIND | LED ROPE LIGHTS

18 | Add Boho Vibes

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 some boho dorm room ideas check out some of my favorite pieces below to pull off the style.

Boho Dorm Room Decor

BOHO DORM ROOM IDEAS | 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

19 | 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 attach 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 ELECTRICAL WIRE

20 | Create a Botanical Feel

dorm room ideas with botanical decor

IMAGE SOURCE | TAPESTRYGIRLS

If you love all things nature, then a botanical theme might be right for you.  To pull of this look find bedding and accessories with plants, flowers and butterflies.  Then add some real plants too to complete the natural look.

If you want to add those botanical vibes to your dorm room too then you might like this comforter from Amazon that you can find below.

Botanical Comforter

botanical comforter

WHERE TO FIND | LEAF & FLORAL TWIN COMFORTER

21 | Maximize Your Organization

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 the best dorm room ideas to take your organization up a notch.

Dorm Room Organization

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

22 | Add Some Hanging Plants

hanging plants dorm room idea

IMAGE SOURCE | IMAGELIGHTINGSTORE

If you love that natural boho feel, then consider dedicating one wall in your dorm room for hanging plants.  They make tons of beautiful hanging plant macramé holders that would look amazing hung in your dorm room.

If you want to try this in your dorm room, then check out where to get macramé plant holder.

Macramé Plant Hangers for Dorm

boho hanging plant holders

WHERE TO FIND | SET OF 3 MACRAME PLANT HANGERS

23 | 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 nightstand and as extra storage.

24 | Keep It Cozy

cozy blankets and twinkle lights in dorm room

IMAGE SOURCE | COLLEGEANDROOMS

Everyone wants to create that cozy feel in their dorm room, right?  One easy way to do this is to layer cozy blankets on your bed.  Feel free to throw these blankets on your bed for the ultimate cozy, casual look.

25 | Make the Most of Your Closet

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.

26 | Add String Lights

dorm room ideas with string lights

IMAGE SOURCE | TAPESTRYGIRLS

String lights hung all around your room is a fun way to add both light and ambience to your room.  When hanging your lights you don’t have to be perfect.  Create a lived-in cozy feel by hanging your string lights organically throughout the room.

If you love the idea of adding string lights to your room, check out where to get them below.

String Lights for Dorm Room

string lights for dorm room

WHERE TO FIND | STRING LIGHTS

27 | 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.

28 | Cover a Wall with Vines

Vine wall in dorm room

IMAGE SOURCE | TAPESTRYGIRLS

Creating a vine wall is an easy way to create a natural aesthetic for your dorm room.  This will instantly create that cozy feel in your room.  Adding lights to your vine wall will add even more ambience to your space.

If you like the idea of adding a wall of ivy and lights to your dorm room, then check out where you can get it below.

Vine Hanging with Lights

vine wall

WHERE TO FIND | HANGING IVY

29 | 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.

Dorm Decor for Desk

DORM ROOM DESK ACCESSORIES | WHERE TO FIND

ONE | PRETTY PHONE, WATCH AND AIRPOD CHARGING STATION

TWO | SIMILAR PINK VELVET OFFICE CHAIR

THREE | ROSE GOLD INDUSTRAIL DESK LAMP

FOUR | WICKER MAGAZINE HOLDER

FIVE | ROSE GOLD DESK ORGANIZER

30 | Go Bright & Colorful

colorfol dorm room ideas

IMAGE SOURCE | THEVOGUEROOMFOUNDATION

If you love color, then don’t be afraid to go bright and bold in your dorm room.  Chose a couple of your favorite colors and add them to your accessories, bedding and artwork.  Bright colors look chic paired with black and white.

31 | 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.

32 | 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.

33 | Put a Tapestry on the Ceiling

tapestry on ceiling of dorm

IMAGE SOURCE | TAPESTRYGIRLS

I’ve shown you a tapestry on the wall, but have you considered putting one on the ceiling too?  Putting a tapestry on the ceiling will instantly give your dorm room that cozy feel that you’re going for.  Choose one that goes with your room’s color scheme to create a cohesive look in your room.

34 | Coordinate with Your Roomie

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.

35 | Let Art 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.

36 | Add a Woven Wall Hanging

boho wall hanging and lights in dorm room

IMAGE SOURCE | DORMLIGHTS

Large woven wall hangings are inexpensive and can create a beautiful focal point in your dorm room.  Consider hanging one of these above your dorm bed for a cozy boho feel in your room.

If you want to steal this style for your dorm room, then check out my favorite woven wall hanging that you can get on Amazon.

Macrame Wall Hanging

boho macrame wall hanging

WHERE TO FIND | BOHO WALL HANGING

37 | Add Some Fun Dorm Room Decor

My last tip is to add some fun décor to your dorm room to really express your personality.  Check out some of my top picks for cute dorm décor below.

Photo Clip String Lights

photo light garland

WHERE TO FIND | FAIRY LIGHTS WITH CLIPS

Eyelash Wall Decor

sleepy eyes wall art

WHERE TO FIND | SLEEPY EYES WALL ART

String Lightinglighted curtains

WHERE TO FIND | STRING FAIRY LIGHTS

Dorm Room Essentials

You may be wondering what are the items that every freshman needs in their dorm room.  Here are a few of the essentials:

  • Storage containers for closet and under the bed
  • Shower caddy
  • Cozy comforter
  • Sheets (often in twin extra-long size)
  • Pillows and pillowcases
  • Towels
  • Laundry hamper
  • Mini fridge & microwave (optional but nice to have)
  • Coffee maker
  • Removable hooks for jackets, purses and sweatshirts
  • Wall décor
  • Extra seating
  • Lamps
  • TV

I hope checking out these 37 dorm room ideas has inspired you to try one of these ideas in your space. 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!

Feel free to save your favorite ideas to your Pinterest boards.  To do that just click on the picture and then the red P in the corner and choose your board.  If you loved this post, please share it!

If you enjoyed this post, then you should also check out-

37 Aesthetic Room Ideas (For a Cozy Bedroom)

Aesthetic Pictures for Wall Collage | 20 Ideas for Your Bedroom

41 Best Teen Girl Room Ideas

15 Things Every 80s Teen Bedroom Needs