Dorm Decor Design Boards

It’s almost time to (hopefully!) send our kids back to school, and I can’t help but feel for all of the college students who are dealing with a very different environment than in years past.

With many colleges going to single-occupancy dorm rooms and a much higher number of online classes, I think it’s more important than ever that their dorm rooms be a comfortable haven.

That being said, dorm decor has really gone over the top in recent years, especially for girls, and while I think that’s absolutely fine if it’s within your budget, today I thought it would be fun to put together two design boards that feature items that are timeless and relatively inexpensive.

I don’t like rooms to be too matchy-matchy, so I just included a few key elements on the boards to get you started. If you need a full list of what to buy, then Dormify’s dorm checklist is a great place to begin. I also linked to their extra long bedskirts in the source list below because they’re almost impossible to find anywhere else and they help cover all the stuff hidden below elevated beds.

PB Teen is also a great source for dorm items, including the no-nails headboards that will help disguise the usual indestructible (and ugly) furniture and cinder-block walls that are the hallmark of most dorm rooms.

Here’s the first board I came up with, in pinks and grays:

| Rug | Comforter Set | Table Lamp | Desk Lamp | Floor Lamp | Bed Skirt | Storage Cart | Poster | Photo Clip String Lights | Mini Lamp | Partridge Lumbar Pillow | | Round Pillow | Towels | Rattan Chair |

I started with the rug; they add warmth and color to any room. Both of the ones I featured are low pile and their patterns help them disguise any inadvertent spills. They’re also a great price (but be sure to check the delivery date for each of the color paths since they seem to vary widely).

I added a great mandala-style headboard and the cutest retro mini-fridge in the widget below; just scroll to see all of my sources:

Here’s another board with similar elements in blue tones:

| Rug | Comforter Set | Table Lamp | Desk Lamp | Floor Lamp | Bed Skirt | Storage Cart | Photo Clip String Lights | Mini Lamp | Partridge Lumbar Pillow | Peacock Canvas | Round Pillow | Towels |

Obviously you can mix and match the accessories depending on the size and needs of your particular space; this is just a jumping off point. I find that once the rug and bedding have been selected, it’s easy to find pillows, throws, and artwork to match.

Happy dorm decorating–and thanks for stopping by.