My, oh my have dorm rooms become more stylish over the years! We have received a few requests for dorms over the last several Instagram Q&A’s, so we’ve decided to finally tackle it. At the time (over 10 years ago), I remember the fun of coordinating decor and ideas with my roommate. It’s truly amazing to think about how we lived in such a small space and genuinely could not wait to move in. We’ve outlined several tips, 4 themes to get you started, and resources that we love.

Many thanks to Sarah Lyon for her contributions for this post! We connected with Sarah on Instagram and have loved following along as she decorates her D.C. apartment and shares lifestyle and home decor tips. Below are her tips and tricks for dorm rooms:

1. Top trends for 2020 dorm rooms

We’re seeing wicker, cane, and rattan everywhere, and I wouldn’t be surprised if these elements make their way into dorm rooms! What’s nice about such pieces is that you can style them to lean classic, boho, or somewhere in between depending on your style. Target, TJ Maxx/HomeGoods, and H&M Home are great places to look for these kinds of pieces while sticking to a budget. For example, this cane coat hanger is adorable and would be perfect for corralling backpacks and totes (it’s such a chic alternative to Command strips!). 

2. Stylish space saving hacks

There’s no need to settle for plain old plastic bins when there are so many multifunctional pieces on the market. When I was in college, I always used storage ottomans to hold extra items--they’re perfect for stashing linens, scarves, gameday supplies, you name it. These pieces looked more stylish than the average storage system but also doubled as seating when friends stopped by my room. I’m also currently loving this wicker storage ottoman from Target that, while not sturdy enough to be used as seating, can be dragged next to a reading chair or bed as needed and holds a ton while being majorly on-trend. 

If you’re fortunate enough to have a closet (as opposed to a wardrobe), I absolutely love these over-the-door shoe holders from The Container Store. I have two in my apartment and have been so happy with how much they hold.  

If you plan on setting up a Keurig, I’m all about K-cup holders like this one which can sit directly under the machine and take up virtually zero extra space. 

3. How to plan a sophisticated, but fun space

Even if you and your roommate are both neat and tidy, odds are you’ll be welcoming all types of friends and hallmates into your space throughout the year, and spills and stains will happen! As a result, skip the plain white bedding and delicate accessories and go for pieces that are multicolored, durable, and not too precious. People often picture a sophisticated space and think of neutrals, but you can--and should--have lots of fun with color. Dorm rooms should be welcoming and full of life, not stuffy! Add some cheerful throw pillows to your bed, pick up a soft throw to curl up under when reading, frame a print of your home state, place a fun jewelry dish next to your bed, and hang a colorful pinboard like this one to keep track of fliers and other reminders. Last but not least, don’t forget a rug to cover those uninviting tile floors! 

Many people think of dorm rooms and picture haphazardly taped posters, but there are so many other cute options for wall art that don’t cost a ton and will last you from year to year. TJ Maxx’s website has some adorable canvases that would look perfect in a dorm. My favorites are this flamingo piece and this abstract. They’re oversized, so you really just need one to transform a wall in seconds. Plus, they can easily be hung with Command hooks.  

4. How to compromise with a roommate

Don’t be offended if your roommate isn’t on board with being matchy-matchy--you can still have a blast styling your side of the room. My roommates always opted for solid, classic colors, while I was all about the stripes, turquoise, and bright pink! As long as you’re being courteous and not encroaching on your roommate’s side of the space, you should feel free to decorate as you wish! Accents like the wicker side table mentioned above are great because they’re neutral enough to blend in with a number of styles and can help tie your two sides of the room together. When it comes to purchasing bigger ticket items such as a mini fridge, microwave, or TV, have a conversation beforehand to determine who is bringing/buying which pieces and how much you’re each willing to spend. Even if these are the only items you communicate about in advance, it will save each of you stress--and money--in the long run!

Four ideas to get started:

1. // 2. // 3. // 4.// 5 // 6 // 7 // 8 // 9 // 10 // 11 // 12 // 13 // 14 // 15 // 16 // 17

More Resources:

Room. 422 - pillows, headboards, coordinating sets

LeighDeux - Headboard Pillows

The Warehouse in Raleigh; also many mood boards on Instagram

PB Teen/ PB Apartment

Our Favorite Rugs

Our Favorite under $50 Accessories

Sarah Lyon is a freelance writer and interior design enthusiast who currently lives in Washington, DC. Her work has appeared on websites including Apartment Therapy, Architectural Digest Clever, Lonny, and Houzz. Additionally, Sarah’s own spaces have appeared on Apartment Therapy, The Everygirl, Houzz, and Washingtonian.com. Her Dupont Circle apartment was featured in both the spring 2019 print edition of Small Space Decorating and the January 2019 print edition of Washingtonian Magazine. Follow her on Instagram @sarahlyon9.