6 great decor ideas for your new dorm room

Getting ready to move out and do it alone for the first time? As a new college student, you'll be moving into dorms and getting ready for a whole new phase of your life. One way you can get settled in is to make your dorm room feel more like home. Here are some dorm-friendly decor ideas that you'll be sure to love.

1. Opt For A Loft Bed

Before you move into your dorm, you'll see you have the option to change the furniture layout. If you can go for a loft bed, it's highly advisable. Having lofted beds means that you can create more space in the room for other furniture, and properly separate the spaces.

For example, many like to set up their desk under the bed, so they have their own little 'study'. It really helps keep studying where it's meant to be, so when you go to bed you can properly relax.

2. Get Some Peel And Stick Mirrors

Having mirrors in your room isn't just handy for checking how you look. You'll also want to use them to make your room feel bigger. If your dorm room is a bit on the small side, you'll definitely want to add some mirrors to bounce the light around.

You don't have to spend a lot to do this, either. All you need is some peel and stick mirrors that you can stick on the wall. You can create patterns and make a look that's your own.

3. Make A Headboard

Typically, you'll see that your dorm bed doesn't have a headboard. However, that just isn't comfy to lie against when you're in bed. You can make things feel a lot homier with a headboard. The good news is that you can make one very easily.

“Many students opt to cut a shape out of cardboard, add foam against it, and then cover it with fabric” says Fiona Marston, a design industry writer from Paper Fellows and Boom Essays. “It's a quick job but you'll get an amazing look, and it's comfy to lean against too.”

4. Pile Up The Pillows

In most dorm rooms, the main seating area is actually going to be your bed. If you want to have friends over to hang out, or even just have somewhere to relax, then you'll want to make it as comfy as possible. Adding throw pillows does a lot to make it the coziest spot in the room.

The other benefit with throw pillows is that they're a very easy way to add character. Just pick out some pillow styles that you like, and you'll be able to fully customize the look of your room.

5. Brighten Up The Walls

Now, you know that you mostly won't be able to paint or permanently alter the walls in your room, but there are ways you can brighten up the dull walls and make them into something better. Make sure you check the rules to see what you can and can't do, but you'll see there are options that can be removed at the end of the year if need be.

For example, peel and stick decals can brighten up the walls and can be easily removed. “Even adding a bright pegboard over your desk does a lot” says Darren Vine, an editor at Ox Essays and State Of Writing. “It'll add a splash of color and be functional, too.”

6. Add In A Storage Trolley

A rolling storage trolley is something that's both stylish and functional, so you can have somewhere to store all your books and college supplies, without piling them up on your desk. It helps keep things tidy, which is a must. When you want it out of the way, you can just roll it into a corner or into a closet.

They also look great too, especially if you pick one out in a funky color, or add plants or flowers to it. You can dress it up however you want.

BONUS: Utilize The Closet

Don’t let that closet space go to waste! But, at the same time, think of how you utilize that space.

The closet can be a challenging space since you’re taking into account clothing, boxes, shoes, knick-knacks, and so on.

So, think about the following when planning your closet space:

• A theme that goes well

• The type of things you want to place in the closet

• How often you’ll be visiting the closet, etc.

Typically, the shoes can go on the floor in the closet, unless you keep them in boxes. Clothes that can be kept on hangers can be hung at the sides or towards the back of the closet. You can store handbags the same way – at the sides or towards the back, or even on the door.

In general, make good use of hangers, risers, bins, and labels when organizing your closet, so that you know what’s where. Remember: The point of using hangers, labels, etc. is to help maximize your closet space.

Wrapping Up

These are just a few ideas for styling your new dorm room and making it feel more like home. Try these ideas out, and you'll see just what a difference they'll make to that bland room that's been assigned to you.

Madeline Miller is a writer at Academized and Do My Assignment. She covers interior design and blogs for British essay writers.