This post offers 28 super cute dorm rooms to get you totally psyched for college.
It’s hard to believe, but in a few short weeks, you’ll be moving into your college dorm! Before the big day arrives, though, you have a bit of planning to do – decorating your dorm exactly the way YOU want it!
Think about it… you’ll be starting out with a completely blank canvas which means you get to choose everything from your theme, colors, bedding and throws, accessories and cool wall decor! As exciting as it is, it can also be a bit overwhelming which is why it’s always a good idea to gather ideas of everything you love before you start buying.
To offer you inspiration, we’ve rounded up 28 of the cutest (seriously, the most adorable ever), dorm rooms to get you totally psyched for college!
We may earn a small affiliate commission on some of the products included in this post.
Don’t forget to download our FREE Dorm Checklist! CLICK HERE!
But wait…there’s SO much more!
Visit our FREE Resources Page to get access to THE ULTIMATE DORM BUNDLE! Here’s what you’ll receive:
-
Stock the Essentials Checklist: A checklist with everything you need to stock your dorm including toiletries, cleaning and laundry supplies, and food!
-
Medicine Checklist: The next best thing to mom’s tender loving care. We thought of everything!
-
Simple Dorm Recipes: You’ll get easy recipes you can whip up in a dorm. No stove or oven required!
-
13 Adorable, Fun and Sassy Frameable Prints You Can Download for Your Dorm
Click HERE! Free Resources Page
A Touch of Greenery
Nothing makes a house feel like home more than greenery. Even on the darkest winter days, plants have a way of uplifting your spirits. Well, the same goes for small dorm spaces. If you’re worried about keeping them alive (after all, most college kids couldn’t keep a low-water cactus alive if their life depended on it), bring in the fakes! If, on the other hand, you can squeeze in the time to water a plant once a week, be sure to choose a plant that works best for dorms. For the best dorm plants, click here!
Source: Pinterest
Copy This Look Copy This Look
Surrounded by Color
Choosing a theme for your dorm is your first step in creating a space that’s “all you.” Most people think of themes as boho, preppy or collegiate, but you can choose a color theme, too! This dorm – with everything purple – is fun, fresh, super easy to replicate and will definitely get you totally psyched for college!
Source: Pinterest
Copy This Look Copy This Look
Pulling the Vibe Together
Finding a “vibe” for your dorm that makes you feel comfortable and “at home” is so important. After all, your dorm is where you’ll be sleeping, studying, hanging out with friends and even eating on occasion. Make it a reflection of everything you love! This boho chic dorm feels anything like a dorm. It’s a cozy space any girl would love to come home to.
Source: Dormify
Copy This Look Copy This Look
Classic Crosses Paths with Cool
Just because most guys typically go for a no-fuss look in their dorm doesn’t mean you can’t spruce up the walls a bit to give them some personality and flair. This dorm, with its classic comforter paired with cool wall decor, is the perfect blend of cool and classic.
For MORE dorm ideas for guys check out: 20 No-Fuss Dorm Rooms for Guys
Source: Match
Copy This Look Copy This Look
Go with Neutrals for a Calm, Serene Space
Yet another reason why neutrals are an awesome choice for dorms. For starters, this space appears so much bigger than it actually is because of the light, airy colors. Plus, cool neutrals offer a sense of serenity that’s hard to beat. Most college girls would love to stretch out in this space after a long day of classes.
Source: VSCO
Copy This Look Copy This Look
Listen to the Ocean Vibes
When life gets stressful (and, let’s be honest, you’ll have your share of stressful days in college), who wouldn’t want to come back to a space like this where you can almost hear the sound of the waves coming ashore? Plus, with its big “hello” sign and comfy pile of pillows, you’ll have the entire dorm floor hanging out in your dorm.
Source: Realivin’
Copy This Look Copy This Look
Everything Within Arm’s Reach
When it comes to small dorms, it’s all about efficiency and accessibility. For girls, you need a space to sleep, relax (and maybe put your feet up), and a place to get ready in the morning, fix your hair, and put a little makeup on (unless you’re lucky enough to have a sink in your dorm). This dorm has the perfect set-up. Cleverly organized, functional and yet, super fun and sassy.
Source: Architecture Decor
Copy This Look Copy This Look
“Put Your Feet Up” Spaces
Not all dorms have the square footage to accommodate extra seating. But if yours does, by all means, bring in the futon! The more comfortable and “homelike” you can make your dorm, the better. This dorm offers a cool seating area with a table that makes it super easy to relax, hang with friends, do homework or just put your feet up and text friends.
Source: Pinterest
Copy This Look Copy This Look
Cool & Collegiate
Show off your college pride by bringing your spirit straight to your dorm! This dorm is super easy to replicate, too. Just hang a cool collegiate flag, add fun wall decor (love the frisbee idea) and match the color scheme with your bedding and pillows.
Source: Flickr
Copy This Look Copy This Look
Easy on the Eyes with a Pop of Color
The simple earth tones used in this dorm are calming and refreshing. Just bring in a few of your favorite things from home – a cool wall hanging, simple hanging mirrors, fun tropical plant wall decor and pair it all with a splash of color like this fun yellow pillow that’s a perfect focal point in the room. No one says everything has to match. Bring in what you love!
Source: Towelfpin
Copy This Look Copy This Look
Color Coordinate with Your Roomie to Make the Room Feel Bigger
If you and your new roommate (or bestie) want a color-coordinated room, this room offers all the fun and functionality you’ll need. Plus, a room like this is bound to get you totally psyched for college! What’s really awesome is how they maxed out the space with desktop organizers and shelving above their beds. Plus, remember, when you carry colors across the room, it will make the space appear larger.
Source: Lures and Lace
Copy This Look Copy This Look
Lighting Sets the Mood
Did you know that lighting not only affects your mood, but it can also affect your alertness? You can imagine bright lights in the morning are best so you can get moving, but in the evenings after a long day, low lighting can help de-stress you and take the edge off. This dorm, with the cool colors and lighting (love the clips for photos!), is perfect for chilling out after a long day or just hanging with friends.
Source: Pinterest
Copy This Look Copy This Look
Only the Softest Bedding
The best place to start when creating a comfortable space in your dorm is with the bedding. Let’s face it, dorm beds stink! On a scale of one to ten, they have the comfort rating of a one. To make them sinkably soft, make sure to splurge on a great mattress pad and super soft bedding like this comfortable jersey knit comforter. Just remember though, the cozier the bed, the harder it is to crawl out of in the morning!
Source: Society19
Copy This Look Copy This Look
All the Comforts of Home
Life in a dorm is all about convenience. And, when you have all the conveniences and comforts of home within arm’s reach it makes life so much easier. What’s great about this dorm is how they put the fridge, microwave and Keurig right next to the bed. This girl could make herself a cup of coffee in the morning without ever leaving her bed – now that’s convenient!
Source: Pinterest
Copy This Look Copy This Look
Serene Sanctuary
When it comes to coordinating your dorm space with your roomie, no one says it has to be completely “matchy matchy.” Just choose a color scheme you both love and pick your own bedding, accessories and wall decor that you each love. It’s an easy way to pull together the look of your dorm without compromising your own creativity and personal style.
Source: The Honey Scoop
Copy This Look
Tapestries Aren’t Just for Girls
Think tapestries are just for girls? Think again! Tapestries are a great way for guys to fill up wall space, give the space a ton of character and bring all the dorm colors together. This dorm, with just a few posters, hats and a cool tapestry on the walls is a no-fuss way to add personality to a dorm without spending a bundle.
Source: Dormify
Copy This Look
Earthtones with a Pop of Color
Keeping dorm decor colors to a minimum is a great way to make any dorm appear much larger than it really is and give it a classy appeal. This dorm, with its earthy tones of white, beige, taupe, brown and a pop of sunflower yellow is about as comfortable and easy on the eyes as it gets. Don’t be afraid to mix hues, too. Notice how many different hues of browns they use, but it all works beautifully together!
Source: Pinterest
Copy This Look Copy This Look
Max Out Monograms
Tons of college girls absolutely LOVE decking their dorms out with fun monograms and who can blame them? They’re adorable! Whether you put your monogram on a wall, mount it on a cool framed board like this one or monogram your initials on a pillow, it’s a fun way to decorate a dorm!
Source: Etsy
Copy this Look Copy This Look
Pile on the Pillows
Pillows, pillows and more pillows! They’re a must-have for dorms! They’re perfect for propping up against a wall so you can do homework, using them as a cushy table on your lap to eat your Ramen noodles, tossed on the floor when friends come over and, of course, for sleeping, too. Mix and match big and small, soft and sturdy and solids and prints for a fun and cozy look for your dorm.
Source: Curtsy
Copy This Look Copy This Look
Cool Nooks that Feel Like Home
The one thing you’ll find living in a dorm is that little nooks that feel like home are essential. This cozy homework station with all its wonderful accessories and pictures that are a reminder of home makes it easy to buckle down and write that paper you’ve been dreading.
Source: Pinterest
Copy This Look
Total Efficiency
Because dorms are so darn small, a lot of college kids opt to loft their bed to give them that extra space beneath. This dorm, with its cool salmon/peach colors and cozy desk space, is the perfect set-up for a small dorm. Add in a comfortable saucer chair and it gives you another seating option to hang out and relax.
Source: Pinterest
Copy This Look Copy This Look
A Touch of Rustic
This “Hotty Toddy” dorm feels far more like a rustic, cozy cabin than a dorm and it’s super easy to replicate! Choose a rustic headboard along with earth tone bedding, pillows and curtains and chances are you’ll never get cabin fever in this dorm!
Source: Lures and Lace
Copy This Look Copy This Look
Masculine Monochromatic
Simple, easy, no-fuss and quite often, monochromatic – that’s what guys love. So, give ’em what they love! This dorm has plenty of personality even though it stays within a small range of colors. Add a few of his favorite pictures on the wall along with a couple of trendy signs and he’ll love it.
Source: Dormify
Copy This Look Copy This Look
A Splash of Springtime
This dorm, with its splash of springtime flowers, wall decor and soft spring-colored bedding will make you feel as though you’re sleeping in a meadow filled with wildflowers. It’s clean, totally fresh and who can resist how organized it is? Just add desktop organizers and shelving for extra accessory space.
Source: Houzz
Copy This Look Copy This Look
Simple Southern Grace
This dorm is the epitome of Southern grace. Soft colors, dainty flowers, comfortable textures and a distressed monogram plaque on the wall will make you feel as though you’re sippin’ on iced tea by the bayou (even if you’re not a true Southerner).
Source: Pinterest
Copy This Look Copy This Look
Small, But Super Smart
While it’s pretty rare to see dorm walls that look as pretty as these, you can still make your dorm space look as light, airy and comfortable as this amazing dorm with a few simple, show-stopping accessories. The grey velvet headboards really stand out paired with soft pink bedding and a pop of white in the curtains and fuzzy rug. (Notice the minimal wall decor. You don’t need to dress out every wall with posters and wall decor. Sometimes simple is best!)
Source: Lures and Laces
Copy This Look Copy This Look
Casual Curtains Soften the Space
If you really want to make your dorm feel like home, add curtains! And, not just on the windows. Having a lofted bed opens up a golden opportunity to use the space beneath as you please. Make the space your own by adding a futon and cool curtains for a cozy nook to relax, take a snooze between classes or do homework.
Source: Pinterest
Copy This Look
Dressed Out Walls
Don’t be afraid to be a little “eclectic” when decorating your dorm. After all, it’s your dorm, your space and your personality that needs to shine through. This dorm, with its simple black and white bedding colors, works great with a variety of cool posters and wall decor in fun colors because the bedding and walls don’t compete with one another. Go crazy with the walls or the bedding – but, as a general rule of thumb, not both.