This post is all about the best college dorm room ideas!
Moving into your dorm this summer? Then you’re probably busy figuring out everything you need!
This post is all about the best college dorm room ideas to get inspiration for your dorm decor.
Something trendy in 2024 is dorm rooms with a preppy aesthetic.
So naturally, we’ll cover the best room ideas in this post!
Besides that, you’ll find boho-chic dorms, minimalist dorm ideas, dorms with modern decor, a country dorm ideas.
What is the best way to decorate your dorm?
My advice is to keep things like dorm bedding and the big furniture items somewhat neutral.
Then you can have a lot of fun with wall decor and smaller items like pillows and accessories.
You can still decorate your dorm with a lot of personality! What’s great about preppy dorm decor, for example, is that it’s pretty minimalist.
So if at some point you want to change things up, you can easily swap out the bright pops of color for more neutral items.
I say this because sometimes we get tired of a particular room aesthetic!!
So pick essentials in colors you won’t get tired of, and then have a lot of fun decorating your walls, bed, and desk with the aesthetic you’re going for.
Dorm room layout
The best way to set up your dorm room depends on whether you’re decorating a single dorm, a 3 person dorm, or a dorm room for 2.
Regarding the best layout, pictures do a better job of explaining setups than words!
So in the pictures below, we’ll cover different dorm room layouts and why they work or don’t.
But here are a few things to keep in mind:
- Coordinate decor with your roommates if you can! This will make your room look much more cohesive and cute. It will likely also save you money.
- Consider privacy: Can you set up the room in such a way that you can have some privacy? E.g. how to place the beds for a somewhat secluded feel. Not everyone likes people to see their face when they wake up lol.
- Maximize space: consider putting your desks together to maximize the most amount of space! That will leave more room for other shared things, for example a fridge or a small pantry. Also see if there are things you can move around to save space. Good co-living with your roommates doesn’t necessarily mean you all need to have the space strictly divided.
The 36 cutest dorm room ideas for girls
1. Pastel dorm room
A pastel dorm room is a great option if you like a calm and neutral vibe!
This allows you to use a lot of neutrals while still adding a cute pop of color.
Pastel pinks and blues go well together and give your college dorm a girly and classy feel.
2. Blue dorm room
Blue dorm rooms are insanely popular!
Luckily blue is a super versatile color, so you mix and match with many different decors.
Blue and gold look great together, as do colors like white or creme.
3. Small dorm decor
In tiny dorms, you have to be creative with storage.
I LOVE this tall nightstand meets storage idea.
I believe the storage drawer in the picture is from Ikea, but I listed a similar one above.
You can always decide not to attach the wheels.
4. Preppy college dorm
Preppy dorm decor is having another moment in 2023, and I’m here for it.
The preppy decor is about mixing neutrals with fun patterns and colors like red, pink, and orange.
Roller rabbit has been the go-to spot for everything preppy decor and bedding.
They’re on the pricey side, so if you’re looking for inexpensive preppy room decor, Amazon has tons of cool options too.
5. Neutral earthy dorm room
Going for a college dorm with an earthy aesthetic?
I totally understand you because sage green, grays, yellows, and neutrals are comforting colors.
Earthy decor includes botanical prints, macrame wall hangers, and cute decorative mirrors.
6. Cool dorm wall decor
This college dorm is equal parts practical and style!!
The lofted bed allows storage drawers and a dorm mini-fridge, which is always a plus.
Dorm walls often aren’t very pretty, so consider decorating with many trendy posters.
Peel and stick wallpaper (it’s easily removable) is another great way to revamp drab walls in your dorm.
7. Simple dorm decor
Simple dorm decor is far from boring!!
By sticking to neutrals, you can still add some cute subtle prints like florals and a pop of metallic silver.
Cute throw blankets and decorative pillows are two cheap ways to make a simple dorm look cute!
8. Boho Western Dorm Room
I love this boho western-themed dorm! If you want a country or western aesthetic in your dorm, pick out posters or wall art that reflect that theme.
Add a beautiful bohemian throw to your bred to bring the country theme together.
This college dorm is super cute yet still easy to recreate and realistic.
9. Shared dorm room
This dorm layout is an excellent example of how to maximize your dorm space!
By putting two desks together, you and your roommate have free space at the end of the bed.
I also love how the desk hutch creates a little privacy for sleeping.
10. Minimalist neutral dorm
Minimalist neutral dorm decor is a favorite of many girls.
By sticking to neutrals, you can still change things up if you want to add a pop of color or a different aesthetic one day.
Neutrals are also calming and allow you lots of flexibility regarding the small decor items in your dorm.
11. Preppy dorm bedding
Preppy dorm bedding is the cutest.
This bedding set is from Roller Rabbit and is seriously adorable.
If you’re going for a preppy aesthetic, mix in white and gold for a super classy and fun look.
12. Rustic dorm decor
Rustic dorm decor is about reclaimed wood, farmhouse signs, and gray tones.
You can play with many different textures when you go for a neutral theme like this.
For example, go for fluffy pillows, a knitted throw, and add fairy lights for extra ambiance.
What’s also genius about this college dorm is the bed hutch.
This is ideal for adding in extra storage.
A must in small dorms where space is limited!
13. Cute dorm wall decor
Decorate your dorm deskspace with photo frames and removable wallpaper.
You will likely spend a lot of time at your desk during college, so it’s so crucial that you love spending time here.
Hang photo frames of family and friends over your desk to keep you motivated!
14. Preppy college dorm
Pink preppy wall decor is the cutest! Amazon has a ton of affordable and cute preppy posters you can use to decorate your dorm.
No frame is needed; simply hang the posters with poster putty.
You can get posters in different sizes to make a wall collage for your dorm.
Related: 21 Beautiful Picture Wall Collage Ideas For Your Bedroom To Copy Immediately
15. Farmhouse dorm room
A farmhouse dorm room has gray colors, rustic decor, and lots of cozy pillows and throws on your bed.
This aesthetic is minimalist but still has lots of fun details. The wooden arrows are my favorite; they are so cute.
Related: 21 Dollar Store Farmhouse DIY Ideas with Serious Style
16. Light blue dorm decor
This college dorm combines versatile gray bedding with the cutest blue wall decor.
This is a great example of using different colors in your dorm without overwhelming the space.
Pick a color scheme for bedding and wall decor that lies close together for the ultimate styled feeling.
17. Boho minimalist dorm
If you ask me, Boho and minimalist are some of the best combos for dorm room decor!
To make your dorm boho minimalist, go for neutral bedding and add small boho touches like faux-dried flowers, botanical prints, and other cute details.
18. Cozy college dorm room
One thing that makes a college dorm feel so much cozier is by adding a rug.
Small bedside rugs are not expensive (if you do your research!), so definitely consider a carpet if you want to add some warmth to your dorm.
I’m also obsessed with these gold chain mirrors I see in everyone’s dorm these days!
19. Minimal college dorm
Ottomans are the best for adding some extra seating or a comfy footrest to your college dorm.
They come in many different colors, like blue, yellow, or pink.
This neutral ottoman looks super cozy in this minimal dorm.
I also love how this college dorm is a great example of how to rock modern and straightforward decor while still making the space look super cozy.
20. Preppy room ideas
Preppy wall posters are an inexpensive way to give your room that funky and preppy aesthetic without spending much money.
Amazon has really cute sets of pink preppy wall posters that will instantly elevate your dorm.
Combine preppy wall art with white bedding, an accent blanket, and pillows.
Red-ish pink and light pink are two dominant colors if you’re going for a preppy aesthetic in your dorm.
21. Cute colorful dorm room
Add a bit of personalized decor to your dorm in the form of your initials!!
Especially if you’re coordinating dorm decor with your roommate, this is a super cute way to keep some individuality :).
The super practical square storage ottoman is worth noting about this dorm.
White furniture is the best choice in a small dorm space.
Contrary to dark furniture and decor, it doesn’t crowd the room as much.
22. Rustic country dorm decor
OK, we need a moment for this insanely cool wooden headboard.
If you’re going for a rustic aesthetic n your dorm, this is the best way to do so! You can DIY one or buy a reclaimed wood headboard on Amazon.
These headboards aren’t as expensive as I thought, but they’re still going to take a little chunk of $$ out of your dorm budget.
To decorate your dorm in a rustic/country aesthetic, focus on gray tones, wooden accents, and knitted throw blankets and pillows for extra coziness.
23. Boho dorm room decor
