25 Dorm Room Ideas to Personalize Your Space

Moving into a dorm is a chance to express your personality, but remember there are decorating guidelines.

As Amie Freling of Meme Hill Studio advises, while you can’t entirely erase the dorm feel, advance planning is key.

Residence halls provide crucial pre-move-in information (sometimes including virtual tours), which helps avoid disappointment and wasted resources.

Discover how to turn a basic dorm room into a personalized home-away-from-home with these expert-backed dorm room ideas and tips.

A Gallery Wall to Keep Your Family and Friends Close

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@dallasorganizer

Becoming a college student is usually associated with moving several hours away from your friends and family.

If you often find yourself missing them a little too much, this idea is just for you.

Create a gallery wall above your bed where you can make a beautiful collage of the photos you have of your friends and family.

In this way, you can keep them close while being far away.

Motivational Quote Posters for Going Through Tough Times

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@dormify

Every college student needs a bit of motivation from time to time, either regarding upcoming exams, or personal downfalls.

Posters with motivational quotes are just the perfect decision for a student in distress.

Print such posters in colors and designs that complement your bed decor to create a synthesized look.

Consult them from time to time to regain your spirits and make way for new positive thoughts.

A Fluffy Carpet for a Feeling of Homeliness

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@stuff2college

College dorms can sometimes seem unwelcoming, but it is the student’s decor choices that could turn it into a home.

You can place a fluffy carpet near your bed to bring coziness and a feeling of warmth.

Opt for a neutral color carpet that would complement the room’s decor nicely.

Your day will start in a better way by hopping out of bed into the warmth of such a carpet that evokes homeliness.

Personalized Decorative Wall to Show Your Personality

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@dormify

You cannot make a place feel like home if you don’t integrate a decor that represents you in it.

Choose wall decorations, posters, and picture frames of things and topics you enjoy.

In this way, you can make the college dorm more cozy and turn it into a space that is specifically yours and showcases your interests.

Therefore, you will feel more relaxed and at home.

Fairy Lights to Make You Feel at Home

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@dormify

Fairy lights are perfect for adding a touch of coziness and warmth to any room.

Installing them in your college dorm could be the perfect decor addition that will bring extra homeliness to it.

Attach the lights to the ceiling and let them hang down to the floor, covering the entire wall.

Enjoy the soft ambient lighting of the fairy lights and the homeliness they provide.

A Painted Wall Art Piece as a Creative Outlet

Pin

@bedsandbedrooms

During college, you sometimes need to let your creativity flow among all the theoretical studies you have.

Get a big canvas and use it as a creative outlet for your more imaginative side.

Such a decor addition to your room will bring a sense of homeliness and showcase your personality.

Place it on the wall above your bed and enjoy a beautiful centerpiece of your college dorm.

Stuffed Animals and Silly Pillows to Make You Feel at Home

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@ucsdhousingdining

Stuffed animals are not solely for children, as adults also need them from time to time.

A college student who just moved into their dorm could use all the support they could get and take advantage of this idea.

Bring your stuffed animals that remind you most of home and turn to them in times of need.

There is nothing wrong with needing a bit of reassurance when you are homesick and they could be a sweet addition to your room as well.

Create a Lofted Sleep Space

Pin @ellglassclock / Instagram

If you’re able to alter its height, consider creating a lofted bed setup to maximize your floor space.

Then, place a desk or dresser underneath the bed—or put a bean bag chair down there and design a cozy reading nook.

Add a Strand of Neon Lights

Pin @ellaglassclock / Instagram

A strand of neon lights adds visual interest to this plain white wall while still being minimalistic.

Just make sure you can easily access the off switch so that the bright lights don’t interfere with your sleep.

Layer Throw Pillows

Pin @lunadorminteriors / Instagram

If you love having plenty of throw pillows in your room at home, be sure to bring some to the dorm with you, too.

Mix various patterns and colors to create an arrangement that’s uniquely yours.

Hang Faux Vines Behind the Bed

Pin @angelasperspective / Instagram

Maybe you won’t be able to keep a plant alive in your dorm room, but you can still bring some green into your room in the form of hanging vines.

Place them behind your bed for dramatic effect—you’ll feel like you’re waking up each morning in a lush garden.

Hang a Personalized a Neon Sign

Pin @lunadorminteriors / Instagram

Purchase a neon sign spelling out your name or favorite phrase and hang it above your bed so that everyone knows which side of the room is yours.

Your roommate may wish to join in on the fun, too.

Weave in Small Decorative Pieces

Pin @angelasperspective / Instagram

Small decorative accents will go a long way in taking a dorm room from bland to beautiful.

Fake plants, little mirrors, and picture frames are some great pieces to bring into your space.

Add a Desk Hutch for Storage

Pin @jordanr.23 / Instagram

Placing a hutch on your desk will double your storage space.

If your desk is going to double as a getting-ready station, you can carve out space on the hutch for makeup and hair tools while devoting the main portion of your desk to school supplies.

Create a Gallery Wall

Pin @kimberlywestphillips / Instagram

Generally, dorm room beds are pushed right up against the wall.

To add character to your side of the room, hang posters, string lights, and whatever else will make you feel more at home.

You can even cut images out of magazines and DIY a collage of your favorite artists, colors, or movies.

Hang Your Hats

Pin @sadieharvey5 / Instagram

Hats aren’t just fashionable, they make for fun decor, too.

Use stick-on hooks to create a wall display above your bed or dresser to make a chic statement.

Organize With Mesh Bins

Pin @beeorganizeddallas / Instagram

If your dorm includes open shelving, use it to store any miscellaneous items.

Mesh bins like the ones shown here are perfect for stashing extra toiletries, school supplies, and other small items.

Since they’re see-through, you’ll be able to quickly find what you need especially if you’re running late for class.

Utilize Storage Drawers

Pin @kimecarney / Instagram

Make use of storage drawers wherever possible—most dorm dressers are pretty small, and extra bins like these come in handy for tucking away workout clothes, extra sheets, baseball hats, winter gear, and much more.

Cuddle a Custom Pet Pillow

Pin @_paintedbyahd / Instagram

One of the hardest parts about moving into a dorm room is leaving your family pet behind.

Pay tribute to your furry friend by ordering a custom pillow featuring his or her face and placing it on your bed.

It’s cute and an instant conversation starter.

Frame Posters

Pin @trentstencil.art / Instagram

Rather than simply taping your posters to the walls, take a moment to place them inside frames.

This doesn’t just look nice, but it will also ensure that your posters don’t get torn as you take them down at the end of the year, which will be perfect to use the year after.

Bring in Some Lamps

Pin @adittakesdisney / Instagram

Dorm rooms aren’t known for their abundance of sunlight, so you’ll want to bring in some lamps to ensure that your environment is bright enough for studying.

A floor lamp like this one is equal parts functional and aesthetic.

Cozy Up With an Arm Pillow

Pin @laci.hentschel / Instagram

If you enjoy reading or reviewing notes from the comfort of your room at night, add a pillow with arms to your bed so that you can easily prop yourself up for extra comfort.

Bring Your Own Headboard

Pin @goodjuju.shop / Instagram

One cool way to add major style to a dorm room is by bringing a headboard to the space.

If you’re feeling crafty, you can even DIY this type of piece.

Select a fun fabric that speaks to you. A headboard will make lounging and reading in bed feel cozier, too.

Make a Custom Desk Top

Pin @livingwell_design / Instagram

Makeover a basic dorm desk by covering it with some fabric in the color and print of your choosing.

Then, add a glass cutting on top to ensure that you’ll still be able to utilize this surface for writing.

This approach makes any weathered wooden desk look so much more elevated and chic.

Layer Your Bedding

Pin Amy Littleson

Add instant color to your dorm room with a vibrant quilt like this one.

It will come in handy as an extra layer during chilly months, too.

Hang a Mini Gallery Wall

Pin

 Fran Acciardo

Add personality to plain dorm room walls by hanging an arrangement of three favorite prints above your bed.

You can easily print out digital downloads and pop them into simple frames, which can be purchased in a pack at an affordable price point.

Many dorm dwellers use removable hooks to adhere framed works to the wall.

Tuck a Shoe Rack in the Closet

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Fran Acciardo

Keep all of your shoes organized by purchasing a shoe rack that can fit inside your closet.

This will make getting ready for class way easier, even if you’re waking up at the last minute. 

No more rifling through various bins or under the bed in search of a matching pair of sneakers.