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20 Dorm Room Ideas Your Roommates Will Obsess Over

They'll ask for all of your tips.

By Sienna Livermore and Medgina Saint-Elien
dorm room decorating ideas
Urban Outfitters

Decorating a college dorm isn't the easiest task, but a few clever dorm room ideas can make your tiny quarters look and feel like an impressive suite. Dorm living can either make you shudder at a flashback of an old roommate or smile at your glory days, but a comfortable college dorm room is a must either way. Whether you're getting ready to revamp one of these tiny abodes for your freshman year or yet another semester of graduate school, we've got dorm room ideas and decor that will help make your transition to college campus living seamless.

A dorm room is your opportunity to live outside your family's home and make your own decisions. Why not begin with the design and layout of your new space? You might be in a single room in a dormitory with hundreds of other students, a room with three roommates, or an apartment off campus. You can still make your own mark without sacrificing your aesthetic. Trust us, we understand how big a challenge small bedrooms can be, especially when you don't have a lot of freedom or closet space (dorm room storage units are lifesavers). But a size limit can be freeing, too. Figuring out how to pack your personality into a dorm room is a task you won't regret taking on!

To help you ace this exciting chapter, we've rounded up some dorm room ideas you absolutely need for your space. Your roommates will take notes! Ahead, conquer the school year with dorm room decor ideas that'll help you feel at home and impress your family whenever they stop by to visit.

1

Urban Outfitters Comfy Chair

Comfy Chair
1

Urban Outfitters Comfy Chair

$149 at Urban Outfitters

You need a spot to lounge other than your desk chair and bed. This one is plush, actually cute, and a rocker. Done and done.

2

LEPOWER Task Desk Lamp

Task Desk Lamp
2

LEPOWER Task Desk Lamp

Now 38% Off

This modern lamp will boost the cute factor in your dorm and give you the extra light you need for late-night study sessions.

3

Lighting EVER Fairy Lights

Fairy Lights
3

Lighting EVER Fairy Lights

Now 20% Off

Fairy lights are simply a right of passage and possibly the best dorm room idea of all. Make your space glow all semester with these delicate plug-in string lights.

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4

Urban Outfitters Comfortable Bedding

Comfortable Bedding
4

Urban Outfitters Comfortable Bedding

You're going to want a place to cozy up and feel at home, so make sure you pick bedding that does the trick (and comes in the twin XL size that only dorm beds seem to need). This duvet has an oversize T-shirt feel—it doesn't get comfier than that!

5

Lark Manor Fun Throw Pillow

Fun Throw Pillow
5

Lark Manor Fun Throw Pillow

If you have roommates, your bed is the only spot in your dorm that's wholly yours—so you have permission to go all out. Fun, colorful throw pillows and blankets are a great way to add color and personality without dominating the room or costing a fortune.

6

Ebern Designs Jewelry Armoire with Mirror

Jewelry Armoire with Mirror
6

Ebern Designs Jewelry Armoire with Mirror

This mirror serves double duty: It's a spot to get ready and check out your outfit in the morning (crucial) and gives you added storage space for jewelry, makeup, scarves, or other accessories. If the rustic wood look isn't your thing, it comes in white and light gray too.

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7

Rifle Paper Co. Peel & Stick Wallpaper

Peel & Stick Wallpaper
7

Rifle Paper Co. Peel & Stick Wallpaper

You can't paint your walls, but you can cover them with temporary wallpaper! Even your RA will give you brownie points for taking advantage of this loophole.

8

CB2 Pretty Desk Organizer

Pretty Desk Organizer
8

CB2 Pretty Desk Organizer

Keep your desk organized and school supplies tucked away by putting them in chic containers like this molded cement storage box. They'll encourage you to keep your workspace spotless!

9

Aobkiat Hanging Decorations

Hanging Decorations
9

Aobkiat Hanging Decorations

Now 20% Off

Paper lanterns will make your dorm room look put together without taking up any usable space. Choose colors that coordinate with your bedding and desk accessories. They'll add fun and personality to your space even when it's time to study.

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10

COURANT Sneaky Charging Accessories

Sneaky Charging Accessories
10

COURANT Sneaky Charging Accessories

This minimalist tray will boost the cute factor in your dorm and make it easier to charge your tech. Here's to never being in the red zone on your way to class again.

11

Globe Electric Cool Extension Cords

Cool Extension Cords
11

Globe Electric Cool Extension Cords

Now 14% Off

There's a 99.99 percent chance that your dorm room won't have enough outlets to accommodate all of your needs. Plan ahead with an extension cord that isn't an eyesore.

12

Society6 Wall Art

Wall Art
12

Society6 Wall Art

Now 10% Off

Dorm rooms can feel stark and cold. Warm it up with a modern wall tapestry, a photograph that reminds you of home, or an art print that inspires you or takes you back to summer vacation.

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13

Ruggable Fun Bath Mat

Fun Bath Mat
13

Ruggable Fun Bath Mat

If you have to use a communal bathroom, you can at least have the cutest bathmat in it. This option from Ruggable is machine washable and dries quickly.

14

MyGift Stylish Storage

Stylish Storage
14

MyGift Stylish Storage

Keep your makeup, toiletries, and other odds and ends organized in style with some baskets and bins. Put them under the bed, on some floating shelves, or on a stack of textbooks on your desk.

15

Lexon Bluetooth Speaker

Bluetooth Speaker
15

Lexon Bluetooth Speaker

Cool Bluetooth speakers let your dorm room set any mood, from getting ready to go out to chill study session vibes with friends.

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16

Giantex Tasteful Hamper

Tasteful Hamper
16

Giantex Tasteful Hamper

Make the least exciting task a little bit better with a hamper that won't clash with your decor. In addition to useful open shelving, this one has a laundry compartment that tilts out so it's super easy to grab the bag and carry it with you to the machines.

17

Vornado Desk Fan

Desk Fan

Be sure you know whether your housing has central air conditioning or allows a window AC unit. If it doesn't, you'll definitely want to keep a cooling fan running during welcome week. A sweltering dorm room makes resting before class impossible! We love this one's retro look and fun color—plus, it's reliable.

18

Mercer41 Photo Wall

Photo Wall
18

Mercer41 Photo Wall

No matter where you go to college, you can keep all your high school besties and beloved family with you. This rack has plenty of space for the photos you pack and gives you room for memories with new friends on campus.

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19

MyGift Jewelry Stand

Jewelry Stand
19

MyGift Jewelry Stand

Keep your favorite jewelry from getting all knotted up with a slim and stylish organizer like this one.

20

nuLOOM Cozy Rug

Cozy Rug
20

nuLOOM Cozy Rug

Now 33% Off

Who says blush pink isn't a neutral? The texture of this shag rug is so cozy. It'll coordinate with your decor and your roommate's, and —bonus!—it's small enough to fit in even the tiniest spaces.

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