17 Stylish and Space-Saving Dorm Room Ideas
A movie poster, a collegiate pendant, a psychedelic tapestry haphazardly hung with thumbtacks—at one time these items constituted the full extent of dorm room ideas for students across America. But these days, many college kids have upgraded their approach, swapping in custom pieces in place of standard-issue furniture, investing in high-quality quilts rather than average bed-in-a-bag sheets, and even hiring professional interior designers. “Last year, we did 10 dorms in one day—it was a marathon,” says Dawn Thomas, the principal designer at After Five Designs in Jackson, Mississippi. Thomas and her team have decked out dorms from Tennessee to Southern California.
Whether they’re leaning on the pros or sourcing dorm room ideas from dorm-centric online shops—like Dormify and Room 422—college students are paying extra attention to dorm room design. That’s why we’ve reached out to the experts to get the scoop on dorm room decorating ideas, which Frances Lacefield Hovis, founder of Room 422, says really boils down to three principals. “The key is to create a space that reflects your style, is functional, and makes you feel comfortable during your time in the dorm.”
Photo: Evin Krehbiel1/15Start with a piece of art to guide your color palette
“I like to use art prints and then base the rest of the room off of those colors,” says designer Jenny Reimold, owner of Whim & Willow Designs in Nashville. Match the color scheme of the print with hues in your bedspread, throw pillows, area rug, and additional wall decor for a cohesive look.
Photo: Dormify2/15Let your personality shine
As shown above, cohesive design and personalization don’t have to be mutually exclusive. Agreeing on a palette and then letting each roommate add their personal spin creates a space that’s both authentic and easy on the eye. “Personalization is the biggest trend we are seeing in dorm rooms this year,” says Amanda Zuckerman, cofounder and president of Dormify. “Gen Z is all about creating a space that reflects their personal style, which has led to the creation of niche micro-trends such as coastal cowgirl, cottagecore, and Barbiecore,” she says. “Don’t settle for cookie cutter or be afraid to let your authentic personality shine through in your new space.”
Photo: Evin Krehbiel3/15Make a dorm bed feel like home with a headboard
This will instantly upgrade your collegiate sleeping quarters, making the space feel cozier and potentially (depending on what you pick) adding back support for late-night study sessions. Plus, says Reimold, you don’t have to turn to a traditional wooden headboard. “Whether it’s a stick-on upholstered headboard, a pillow headboard, or a pillow wedge, these elevate the look of a room,” she says. Pillow and foam headboards are lightweight and make move-in easy, while headboards with pockets (like the plush variety available at Urban Outfitters) provide extra storage.
Photo: Room4224/15Weave storage into your dorm design plans
“Wondering where you are going to store everything in a small 12-by-14-foot dorm room? Use under-bed storage, wall-mounted shelves, and storage ottomans to make the most of limited space while keeping things organized,” says Lacefield Hovis. A storage cube or ottoman pulls double duty as a place to stash shoes or bulky sweaters and a stool for climbing into your lofted bed.
Photo: Evin Krehbiel5/15Count on a bedside caddy
Whether you’re tight on bedside table space or you don’t have a table at all, attaching a bedside storage caddy is a space-saving strategy for keeping your books, notepads, and charging electronics close at hand.
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Photo: Matti Gresham6/15Keep adaptability in mind
“When designing for young adults, aim for a mix of whimsy but still elevated enough to go the long haul. Young adults often want their space to reflect their individuality. Incorporate elements that align with their interests, hobbies, or personal style. This could be through artwork, accent colors, or themed decor items” says Ginger Curtis, Founder and CEO of Urbanology Designs.
Photo: Jenny Reimold7/15Maximize closet space with canvas organizers
For easy access and organization, Reimold recommends adding canvas bins in the closet to store school supplies, overstock items, and gadgets. Additionally, Thomas says to take advantage of all the closet’s vertical space, hanging whatever you can. Hanging shelves (available on Amazon) can be used for shoes or folded T-shirts and towels.
Photo: Evin Krehbiel8/15Add curtains to closets and windows
Many dorms have open closets, so similar to using a skirt to hide the storage under your bed, curtains will neatly conceal everything you have hanging. Additionally, adding drapery to windows creates a personalized, homey feel. But, says Thomas, for future use and versatility, don’t measure the curtains to the length of the dorm windows, which tend to be short. She says, “I do mine longer because when those nine months are over, the drapes are too nice to sell for half of what you paid for them. Instead, use them in your first apartment and they’ll work with more window heights.”
© Evin Photography :: www.evinphotography.com9/15Add some plant life to your living space
“Dorms are small and sterile spaces that often feel very institutionalized. Style a faux fiddle in a corner or add a real plant by a window for visual appeal,” says Reimold. “You can also hang succulents in macramé hangers or grab small pots of greenery from the checkout aisle of HomeGoods for your desk or dresser.”
Photo: Dormify10/15Add an area rug
Zuckerman says, “A huge (and often overlooked) way to change the entire vibe of your room is adding an area rug. This is a great item to share with your roommate to cover up those dorm floors and instantly add extra coziness to your space.”
Thomas takes the rug tip a step further. “I often use a rug that’s big enough to cover all the floor—from wall to wall. This creates a more homey feel, especially in dorms that have that industrial flooring rather than carpet,” she says. Whether you choose an area rug for under your bed or desk, or a full-floor option, both designers agree picking a washable rug is key.
Photo: Evin Krehbiel11/15Create the illusion of extra space
As creative as you get with twinkle lights, a headboard, and storage solutions you can’t actually add more square footage onto your dorm. But you can create the feeling of an expansive living space. Lacefield Hovis says, “Use light-colored furniture and mirrors strategically to create an illusion of more space. Mirrors can also reflect light and make the room feel brighter.”
Photo: Vostok/Getty Images12/15Create guest seating with floor cushions
You’re not expected to host an eight-person dinner party in your dorm, but you might have a couple friends over for a study session. Keeping a few sturdy cushions handy will have you covered for any hosting needs—and creates a boho vibe. Between gatherings, the cushions can be used for bed decor, added back support, and a plush laptop stand.
Photo: Evin Krehbiel13/15Consider a bed skirt and queen-size quilt
A lofted bed calls for more material to hide everything you’ve stored below. Dawn Thomas says the combination of a bed skirt and a queen-size quilt—rather than the often recommended twin XL—does the trick. “With these high beds, the twin-size quilt won’t hang down long enough,” she says. “But a queen hangs a little longer on the side so you don’t see what’s stored beneath the bed.” Plus, she points out, a queen-size quilt will be more useful for life after the dorms. “I have [clients] that are married and in homes and they’re still using my quilts from six years ago in college,” she says.
Photo: After Five Designs14/15Give your desk a skirt, too
“A lot fits under that little desk,” says Thomas of the tabletop included in most dorms. To make use of every inch of the room, she often adds a storage container under the desk, still leaving enough room for the student’s feet. “A hair dryer, straightener, extra paper, or other school supplies can fit under there if it’s organized,” she says. “And then we add a skirt to the bottom of the desk to hide that storage.” This also creates the look of a DIY vanity table, so the space can double as a makeup zone (with a mirror added on top) and a study area.
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Photo: After Five Designs15/15Conceal your mini-fridge and microwave in crafty cabinetry
As much as ramen cups stacked on top of a microwave are a college dorm mainstay, they don’t have to be the focal point of your room. Hide your fridge, microwave, and snack stockpile in a cabinet. After Five Designs makes a refrigerator cabinet that has enough storage space on the side to fit a single-cup coffee maker too. And, says Thomas, “if you place it between the beds, it also becomes a nightstand.”
