An old movie poster of James Dean stuck on the wall, tweed couches, printed picture collages on giant cork boards –at one time were all the ingredients needed to spice up a dorm room. However, times have changed, and college students are upgrading their approach to decorating their rooms.
Most students throw out the nailed milk crates on the wall for extra shelving and invest in high-quality storage bins and quilts. Some even maintain their repertoire of hiring professionals, from an essay writing service to interior designers.
Whether indulging the expertise of interior decorators or relying on screenshotted ideas from Pinterest, college students are paying extra attention to their dorm room designs. Let’s explore some modern decorating ideas to consider when starting your new DIY dorm room decoration.
What to Consider When Decorating Your Room
When you start planning on decorating a completely new living space, one needs to get some kind of coherent plan. However, it is also important to take into consideration the fact that is just you home away from home for one to four years of school.
Thus, do not try to go too hard with these amazing decorating ideas and try to reach out what looks like some other amazing Airbnb. The steps on how you can do it are as follows:
Space
Most college dorm rooms need more space to accommodate all your decorative ideas and furniture. Therefore, compromising on space is highly recommended. Opting for a functional minimalistic design is highly recommended.
Skip the bulky wooden hangers to create room for thin felt hangers. Moreover, invest in a hanging closet organizer to keep your sweaters, shoes, or jeans.
Temporal Decors
Refresh your space with some décor, and you may open a whole new world when those stark bare walls become stylistic centerpieces. Some students go to the extent of adding floating shelves, large-scale art pieces, fabrics, murals, or whatever it takes to spice up the unit.
Nevertheless, it is important to note that it is still a college space that others will occupy once you leave. Therefore, buy something else other than permanent decors to enlighten your space.
Here are some simple or less permanent decors to purchase:
• Rugs
• Mirrors
• Art pieces
• Vases
• Candles
• Frames
Budget
Operating on a student’s budget is quite restrictive in incorporating multiple decorative ideas into your dorm. Finances get strained when you purchase essays online, attend concerts, pay for subscription services, or have a morning cup of coffee.
Hence, it is financially sound to formulate a budgeting plan on what to spend while decorating. Don’t go overboard with these items to break most of the semester—alternatively, diversify your income portfolio by starting a side hustle or part-time job to accommodate these expenses.
School Rules
Colleges have rules regarding the decoration of dorm rooms by students. Therefore, your decoration plan should pay attention to the guidelines set by the institution to avoid fines or penalties. Some common guidelines typical in most institutions include:
• No decorative displays of alcoholic beverages
• No personal locks
• No sticks on walls, ceilings, or furniture
• No adhesive-backed hooks, tapes, wallpaper, or contact paper
• Unlabeled wall hangings are prohibited
Roommate
Consult with your roommate (s) before embarking on any decorative spree in your room. Discuss openly what changes are needed to liven up the space. Set the ground rules of what’s allowed and not applicable for the sake of the other.
Other minor details to confirm with your roommate are the room volume, lighting, temperatures, and use of shared resources like bathrooms or reading spaces. Having a common understanding of these rules ensures a smooth living relationship.
Functionality
Apart from creating aesthetically pleasing spaces, the sole goal of the decoration experience should be meeting the intended purpose. Please don’t overlook functionality since it directly affects how people live and work within the space.
The final piece should smoothly integrate practicality, convenience, and aesthetics with the daily dorm-room activities. Therefore, important factors such as storage solutions, traffic flow, and proper lighting should be considered.
Dorm Decoration Ideas of 2024
After understanding the house rules for your DIY project, it’s time to look for simple pieces to complete your ensemble.
Painting
For this, you’ll have to consult the administration about where painting is allowed in your dorm room. However, painting does more than make a space look good. Good-quality paint can create a cohesive and harmonious look. Create a focal point that captures the bulk of attention in your room. When guests enter your quarters, it is the first thing that draws their attention.
Big Storage Bins
Another solution to the clutter may lie in storage bins. The additional containers keep your inventory in order and at hand for grabbing. Moreover, bins of various sizes help to accommodate different objects and maintain the area clean and organized. Such storage bins can be used for both short and long-term purposes with the ability to pack the belongings appropriately.
Strand of Neon Lights
Neon lights could be an excellent way to go. Place is still pretty minimalistic and lost and is a way to add something visual since the walls are just plain white. It has the power to change the vibe of a room. They cast such a nice warm light instead of just using lamps in living quarters.
Layered Throw Pillows
Throw pillows create an inviting atmosphere and allow you to express your personal style and touch in the space. Their layered design features different patterns, textures, colors, and shapes, adding interest and allowing you to express your style.
Faux Vines
Allergy people often have hell sharing their living spaces with natural plants with pollen, which throws their sinuses into a state of upheaval. In addition, these plants require the right light and humidity. It is important to take extra care and watering because that’s your baby – a plant parent. Meanwhile, the need for faux vines becomes apparent because they add lightness, warmth, and style and provide that necessary anchor and interior design element to a room in an organic way.
Floor Lamp
One way to add scale to the room is through floor lamps. Owning a tall piece of décor draws the eyes upward, creating a sense of height. This works well, especially in dorm rooms with low ceilings, to create a grandiose look. Moreover, you can easily adjust the light settings to create ambiance for different occasions.
