6 Tips to Take Your Dorm from Drab to Fab

Let’s be honest here – dorm rooms are just not that cute. Despite the misrepresentation of college dorms in movies and catalogues as huge, wooden-floored oases complete with fireplaces, bay windows, and high ceilings, the real deal is much more on par with a prison cell. While there’s only so much you can do with the standard metal-framed beds and broken wooden furniture likely harkening from the 1980s, it is possible to upgrade your dorm room to something homey, comfortable, and attractive. Follow these 6 easy tips to make your dorm room look the best it can, from drab to fab.     

TIP 1: LIGHTS

Arguably even worse than public bathrooms, dorm rooms are known for looking either dreary or hyperactive when it comes to lighting. Try to avoid using your room’s lights by taking advantage of natural lighting from your windows during the day and fully opening your blinds (which also helps save energy). For late afternoon, night, and overcast days, you can rely on a floor or table lamp, space allowing. 

However, I prefer using string lights (and, yes, by string lights, I mean Christmas lights) around the perimeter of my ceiling – it’s prettier and more evenly distributes light throughout the entire room. Plus, you can get creative, and end up with some really cool designs. 

If you want to upgrade from Christmas lights, try these mini-paper lantern string lights. They are more expensive, so you can try arranging just one strand in an arc over your bed. (Amazon, $20)

TIP 2: WINDOWS

Window treatments make your room look exponentially more inhabitable. Just add a tension rod and curtains, and you’re good to go. This step is focused on the decorative aspect of your room, so there’s no need to buy thick curtains for privacy, since your windows will already have shades. Sheer white curtains are inexpensive and will look just as nice as a patterned print – plus they’re guaranteed to match with your bedspread.  

This sheer curtain is simple with a ruffled detail to add some character. For the same, price, however, you can get a pair of plain sheer panels – which can be split between you and a roommate for both windows, or used as a makeshift door to your closet. (Target, $20)

TIP 3: RUGS

There are two scenarios with dorm room floors. Either you’ve got a flattened carpet with suspicious stains, or cheap linoleum that resembles the floor of your high school cafeteria. Alternatively, you could have actual hardwood floors and your life is great. You don’t spend a lot of time looking at them, but a rug will still make a huge impact on the look of your room. My preference is to get the biggest rug, covering as much floor as possible, but a few accent rugs are just as effective in brightening the mood. Also, a suggestion – stay away from pure white rugs, because you will not want to see how dirty they can become.  

This 6.5×12′ rug, with the cream base and geometric detailing, is classier than the typical dorm room shag rug. While it may be tempting to go for that plush, brightly-colored shag rug, you will likely grow sick of the bright green and also despair when the poof dissipates within a month of use.  (Target, $100)

This 2×3′ rug is a lot smaller than the one above, but also infinitely cuter. The precious Owl print is utterly irresistible. It could work perfectly as a welcome mat, closet carpet, or even hanging on the wall! (Urban Outfitters, $18)

TIP 4: STORAGE

Dorm room closets and wardrobes are way too small to hold an entire year’s worth of clothes, shoes, and beauty supplies – right, ladies? You’ve got to put your off-season wardrobe somewhere, and you want to do it in style. Forget about those plastic tubs shoved under your bed, so that the entire world can see your extensive boot collection and judge you for having a shoe addiction. Discreet and sleek storage is a must to keep a dorm room from looking shabby. 

This storage chest is sharp and elegant, so you won’t be embarrassed for it to show under your bed. Plus, it’s big enough to hold all your winter clothes, those heavy sweaters and chunky cardigans included. (Amazon, $18)

TIP 5: BULLETIN BOARD

This may seem like an unusual request for spicing up a dorm room, but a basic cork board can be easily transformed into a space to free your inner artist, instead of a space to forget due dates and homework assignments. You can use a cork board as a canvas for a collage, essentially, posting anything from photos to postcards to clippings from your favorite magazine. It also serves a dual purpose in covering up the biggest strip of peeling paint, or that lovely hole in your wall. Plus, it’s a more unique and playful option than covering all your walls with posters. Because, as much as you love an Audrey Hepburn poster, most likely three girls down the hall love it, too. 

If you don’t want to settle for a cork board, try this French memo board. (Bed Bath & Beyond, $15)

TIP 6: FUN DETAILS

Probably the most fun part about dorm living is that you get to decorate the room however your heart desires. The key to a room you’ll love is in the details, personalizing the space. Show off your photos, get a plant, search Etsy for some original prints, and clutter your bookcase with travel knickknacks and your favorite books (you’ll probably never read them at school, but it will brighten your day to see a reminder of home residing next to that evil organic chemistry textbook).

This whimsical take on a clothesline is a fun way to hang photos. This set comes with 8 of the dainty bird paper clips, so if you have a slew of photos this may not be for you. Alternatively, you can create the same charming look yourself with some hemp and colored clothespins, tailoring to the number of photos you have. (Urban Outfitters, $10)

Since most students use their cell phones as alarm clocks and have an array of electronics with which to check the time, it’s becoming common for dorm rooms to lack an actual clock. While you don’t need a wall clock, they make great decorations. This one is simply too adorable for words. (Kikkerland, $15)

You can find anything on Etsy that constitutes as wall decor, from inspirational quotes, to original art, to quirky prints you can customize. As a Jane Austen groupie, I’m a fan of this take on the “keep calm” craze. (Say It Again Design, $15)

BONUS TIP: CLEANLINESS

Because, the fact is, you can dress up your room as much as you like, but you can’t appreciate it if it’s hidden under layers of dirty clothes or marred by funky smells.

Featured Image From: Brown University

Tags: college dorms, curtains, dorm decor, dorm room, dorm rooms, featured, mini paper, natural lighting, overcast days, paper lantern string lights, public bathrooms, rugs, storage, string lights, tension rod, wooden furniture

Category: Dorm Decor