The Designer Dorm Decor Trend, Explained

With rising tuition fees, room and board, and other costly back-to-school needs, saving wherever and whenever you can becomes a college philosophy. But the latest viral design trend takes decorating a college dorm room to new, more lavish heights. It trades in basic dorm furniture for bespoke pieces and replaces harsh lighting with charming chandeliers. Fittingly, the aesthetic is called designer dorm decor — a style that's as chic and over-the-top as it can be expensive. And it's giving people mixed feelings. But what exactly is the designer dorm decor trend, and what's up with the controversial discourse?

The look emphasizes custom-made pieces, embroidered monograms, and school-spirit-inspired art. The most viral examples are on the TikTok account marymargaretdesigndorms, where specialist dorm room designer Shelly Gates shares stunning wonderlands that she creates for students. They feature vibrant colors, mixed-print Chinoiserie wallpaper (which is having a comeback), and brass wall sconces. Beds are dressed with monogram comforters laid out against bright pink headboards, while matching monogram pillows sit on charming tufted love seats. Suffice it to say, the transformations are totally unrecognizable from what you'd imagine your typical dormitory to be. It's true that dorm designers are setting a trend of making small spaces into stylish boutiques, with Gates having already worked with 15 students and charging some up to $20,000. But just how practical are they?

It's hard to deny the show-stopping interiors of designer dorms. But like all design trends, the concept has stirred up online discourse. On one hand, many are quick to defend the trend. One commenter on the TikTok post of Shelly Gates' dorm transformation for her daughter wrote, "Whatever these young ladies need to get through college and make their experience more enjoyable!" Another follower echoes this statement: "I'm not even college age anymore, but I would be way more motivated to work in a space that looks like this!"

While some take a liking to the idea of giving incoming students the best college experience, others question the practicality of adorning a temporary space with top-to-bottom glam. After all, college life makes a large enough dent in your wallet. The National Center for Education Statistics reports that the average cost of tuition and fees for first-time and full-time undergraduates was roughly $58,600 for private, nonprofit institutions; $33,600 for private, for-profit institutions; and $27,100 for public institutions between 2022 and 2023. Adding a hefty dorm design price tag to those kinds of costs is just not feasible for many.

Dorm rooms are naturally structured to favor function over style — a major point of contention for naysayers of the trend. One TikTok user says of Gates' design: "That's beautiful! But so unnecessary. Let them do their own dorm room." Another expresses a concern about practicality: "The purpose of college is to study, not focus on nouveau riche interiors." But Gates sees it differently, replying to one commenter that, thanks to the spike in popularity of beautiful dorms, she is afforded the opportunity for her small business to thrive in a growing market.

While going all out is the way of the trend, you don't have to spend a fortune to find clever ways to have your dorm room reflect your personality. Many students get by just fine doing what they can to make their dull, concrete-clad spaces feel like home, including making the most of a small dorm room while on a budget. You can do without custom-embroidered monograms or expensive plush and trendy furniture and instead use what you have. Furnished dorm rooms take away the hassle of investing too much money in essential furniture. They give you more financial freedom to play with other decor details, such as wallpaper, custom-made art, and extra storage solutions.

Although things can get pricey really fast, Shelly Gates explains (via CNN) that designing stunning dorm rooms can be financially manageable by shopping at budget-friendly stores. She turns to shops like HomeGoods, Marshalls, TJMaxx, and Ross. "These are college kids," Gates tells CNN, "they do not need investment pieces with their decor." The trick to designing a luxurious and effortlessly cool dorm room is laying out the aesthetic you want the space to have. Make a mood board that includes prints, patterns, and textures, which can help you identify costs. Whether or not you're sold on the designer dorm room trend, having a space that you feel comfortable in can boost productivity and promote happiness. That's why many people would advise decorating your space. That said, making a space feel cozy, authentic, and warm might just be worth every penny if it feels like home.