How To Decorate A College Dorm

Decorating a college dorm room is an exciting milestone, but that doesn't mean it's a piece of cake. Since this is probably the first time you will be living away from home without family and siblings around, you'll want to ensure you have the right essentials to make your new space feel like home. Most college dorm rooms are pretty basic and small, and you might be sharing the space with a roommate. According to Good Housekeeping, the average dorm room is only about 200 square feet, but you can still make it feel like home with a few creative decorating tips.

Come move-in day, it's best to show up prepared with functional must-haves like bedding, along with a few cute items to spruce up plain walls. You don't need to have everything on the first day, since it can take some time to figure out how to express your style in the new space and make it ready for sleeping, studying, and hanging out with new friends. Whether you're just starting your college dorm room shopping list or are looking to freshen up your current room during the school year, we've got you covered with our list of A+ decorating ideas.

Whether cramming for midterms or pulling an all-nighter study session, you'll want to make sure your dorm room has a high-quality desk lamp. According to Homes To Love, task lighting, or lighting that helps us complete specific tasks, is super important in any living space. A study area should have a strong desk lamp to illuminate the room fully. 

When choosing a desk lamp for your dorm, you'll want to consider the light source, adjustability, and of course, the design. The average desk lamp features LED light, which is the most energy-friendly option, but you can always switch out the bulb based on your personal preference (via The Strategist). You should also look for a lamp that's adjustable with either a rotating head or telescoping arm, so you can point the light in your direction of choice. In terms of design, aim to pick out a lamp you love that adds to the room's overall style.

One essential you won't want to forget on move-in day is bedding. With a wide range of fun options to choose from, bedding is an easy way to show off your style and add personality to your room. However, before buying a cute new set, you'll want to make sure you're bringing the right size for your mattress. As reported by Elite Daily, most college dorm rooms feature an extra-large twin mattress which is not compatible with standard twin size sheets. Also, keep in mind that white bedding is more susceptible to stains and may need to be cleaned often. If you don't like doing laundry, stock your dorm room with a few sets of sheets.

While your bedding style is important, you'll also want to make sure it's comfortable. Opt for sheets made of natural fibers like cotton for a better night's sleep, since they're soft and breathe well (via USA Today). And last but not least, don't forget a mattress pad for your bed — your back will thank you.

College dorm rooms aren't just for studying. They're also a great place for socializing with friends. To make your room the go-to hangout spot, make sure you have a great sound system ready to fire up some tunes. Portable speakers with Bluetooth functionality are the perfect option, since you can take them with you wherever you go and instantly stream music from either your phone or laptop. According to Rolling Stone, you'll also want to keep factors like size, battery life, sound quality, and weight in mind. It's important that your speaker of choice doesn't take up too much space in your small room, but you'll also want one with clear audio quality.

One standout option is the Oontz Enhanced 3 Bluetooth Speaker, which offers a solid 14 hours of battery life. The petite speaker will fit comfortably on a shelf, desk, or windowsill without taking up a lot of space. And when you're ready to crank up the music, the audio quality won't disappoint.

While it's not always possible to hang up wall art with nails or drill holes for shelves in your dorm room, you can still make the space shine by getting creative. Washi tape, a decorative masking tape made from Japanese shrubs like hemp, is an easy way to dress up white walls. According to Paper Chase, this eco-friendly tape is recyclable, waterproof, heatproof, and won't damage walls. The tape sticks securely to most surfaces, including wood and metal, and endless color and design options are available. The best part? The small price tag fits the typical college student's budget. 

Another great option to brighten is to use removable wallpaper to create an accent wall. There's a wallpaper pattern out there for everyone, whether you're into nature, sports, art, or glam designs (via Apartment Therapy). And when it comes time to move out at the end of the school year, removable wallpaper will easily peel off the wall without causing damage or removing paint.

The typical college student spends a lot of time at their desk, whether studying, doing makeup, or binging Netflix. According to Simplifying College, having an organized and tidy desk area helps boost productivity. Ideally, this area will be decorated with a mix of cute and practical items. You'll want some study essentials like a lamp, calendar, bulletin board, and pencil holder laying around, but adding a pretty succulent or bouquet (real or fake) will create an uplifting mood. If you're having trouble finishing a term paper, turn to aromatherapy with a scented candle or essential oil diffuser. Lemon, lavender, and jasmine are recommended for promoting concentration and workflow (via Entrepreneur). 

Additionally, adding a stylish clock to your desk will ensure you make it to class on time and help tie the desk decor together. Other pretty desk accessories to think about adding to your dorm room include basket organizers, Polaroid photos, and a felt letter board decorated with a fun message.

Having a cozy chair in your dorm room will help make it a popular hangout spot, plus you'll have a comfortable place to retreat to once you're done studying. According to House Beautiful, the perfect dorm room chair is space-savvy, comfortable, chic, and won't break the bank. It's typically best to pick a chair made with stain-resistant fabric in dark colors, since it will better hide dirt and other signs of use.

If you are short on space, consider looking for a foldable chair that you can store when it's not being used or use a storage bench for extra seating. Butterfly chairs are a classic dorm room pick, since they're great for smaller spaces and can be easily stored under a bed after use. If you want something more outside of the box, buy a fun and affordable inflatable chair for your room. 

Last but not least, a colorful rug will tie any dorm room together and make it feel like your home away from home. According to Town & Country, decorating your space with a rug not only makes it feel cozier but also helps cover up a bare and unattractive floor. Oversized rugs tend to be the best way to go since they fill a room and make pieces like your desk, bed, and shelves feel cohesive. Rugs are great at setting a room's color scheme, as well as creating a focal point (via The Spruce). 

Of course, there are an endless variety of rugs out there to choose from with different textures, materials, patterns, colors, and sizes. Settling on just one might seem like a challenge, but follow your personal style and taste preferences. Rugs with neutral colors tend to be more versatile and match any space, while brightly colored rugs are a fun way to add color and vibrancy. Whichever one you choose, you can't really go wrong!