6 College Dorm Room Ideas

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Are you starting a new chapter of your life and going away to college? Are you returning to school? Do you think there is no way to transform a tiny dorm room into your stylish oasis? Then check out these six College Dorm Room Ideas!

One of the most fun and exciting things about going away to college is the experience of living on your own. Whether your dorm room is a single, double, suite, or apartment, your excitement will most likely be met with bare walls, cold floors, and cramped quarters. It doesn’t have to be this way! You can have the most stylish and comfortable dorm room at your school if you follow these six college dorm room ideas.

College Dorm Room Idea 1- Make the Most of Your Bedding

Your bed is the focal point of the room therefore you should make the most of how you use it. One of the few pieces of furniture supplied by the school, the single extra long bed must serve multiple uses in your dorm room. I advise choosing a fun bed spread with bright colors to liven up the space. Your choice in bedding will most likely set the tone for the rest of your design choices so choose wisely! A reversible comforter is a great way to spice up the room if you get tired of the same one every day. Throw pillows are a nice addition and can help provide support for your back if you are working on your laptop in bed.

CAUTION: I would suggest staying away from white or very light colors when choosing a bed spread because, even if you are the cleanest person, your room will most likely be shared and stains may find their way to your bed. No one wants to sleep in a stained or discolored comforter and Mom won’t be around to do the laundry! Check out these bedspreads from Amazon.com:

College Dorm Room Idea 2- Save Space

Going from your room at home to your college dorm room (and sharing that room with 1-2 roommates) limited space will be your biggest challenge. Shared closets, one dresser, and a desk with drawers (hopefully) will be your only form of storage so you will need to make the most of it. Closet organizers, foot lockers, storage trunks, cool hangers, and other clever space savers will help you remove clutter from your room while keeping you organized. Have fun with the colors and styles as there are tons of options.

College Dorm Room Idea 3- Cover the Walls

When it comes to designing and decorating your dorm room, personalization is key. What better way to show your personality than with posters, art, and pictures? Cover up those barren walls with posters of your favorite musicians and movies or with framed artwork (try Allposters.com -they have anything you can think of). Many students like to tape pictures of friends and family on the walls or hang extravagant picture frames. Get creative! If your school has restrictions on hanging things from the wall, there are alternatives to putting holes in the wall by using double sided tape or Command picture hanging strips that won’t damage the wall.

College Dorm Room Idea 4- Use Rugs

In my dorm the floors are tile and waking up in the morning or getting out of the shower is always a hassle. Dirt from the floors sticks to my feet and in the winter the floors are just damn cold. Area rugs are a good way to bring a homey touch to your dorm. You can get virtually any shape, size, or color and a rug is just the thing to tie the room’s colors together.

College Dorm Room Idea 5- Let There Be Light!

If your dorm room has low lighting, is dreary, or you just want to brighten up your space, there are loads of lighting options available for you. Free standing lamps, desk lamps, lights that clip onto your bedpost; the possibilities are endless! Different styles can show off your personality and once again you have a chance to choose a color that will compliment the rest of your room. Aside from the aesthetic benefits, lights in different parts of the room can define separate spaces (study section, dressing section, etc.) and if your roommate is trying to sleep but you need to study late for that exam it would be polite to have the main light off and use a desk lamp. Lights Please!

College Dorm Room Idea 6- Desk Setup

By far my favorite part of my dorm room is my desk. My setup is just how I like it and it gets a lot of use. You’ll want to make this area comfortable and welcoming for your cramming sessions. The desk chairs that schools provide usually aren’t suitable for long hours at the desk so upgrading to a comfortable chair is a good idea. Set up your speakers, laptop, monitor(s), desk lamp, desk organizer, and anything else you need and you are ready to go! After all you may have to do some actual work. Can you top these desk setups?