Depending on your budget, you might want to help give your teen’s college room a style upgrade from the dorm essentials that all first-year college students need. Some dorm decor extras can make any space feel cozier and more personal and reflect their unique personalities and interests.
We’ve rounded up 20 dorm decor ideas to make your dorm feel like home for the first semester and beyond. Plus, many of these items are things they’ll use all four years and can bring with them to their first apartment!
Note: Check the Residence Life section of the college website to find out what items are prohibited before making a mistake on a decor purchase.
Where to Buy Dorm Bedding
Choosing a comforter and sheets is typically the first step toward picking a particular style for a dorm room, and there are dozens of sites where your teen can look.
A favorite site is Pottery Barn Teen Dorm which emphasizes quality and sustainable merchandise in its wide range of styles. Check out its collaboration with LoveShackFancy for some adorable decor ideas.
If your teen wants to see and feel the fabrics, Target has a wide range of dorm merchandise with thousands of bricks and mortar stores. These reversible comforters offer great style, especially for the price point, and allow your teen to switch their look by simply making their bed differently.
The Best Dorm Decor
Colleges typically prohibit nails, so look for instant decor or only require adhesives (if the dorm allows that) to create a look your teen will love. Some adhesive strips are included in some decorative items, but pack Command double-sides strips and hooks when you help move your teen into their dorm.
1. Headboard (Pottery Barn Teen)
This cute headboard solves a big problem with traditional dorm beds: the uncomfortable wall to lean back. Stylish and functional, this headboard would be a much-appreciated addition to your teen’s dorm room. Note: Mounts with Velcro backing.
2. Poppin Large Storage Cubby (The Container Store)
These storage cubes are great for extra items such as medication, extra toiletries, hair dryers, towels, extra sheets, and more. It’s available in six pretty colors to make a statement as well.
3. Printed Tapestry (Pottery Barn Teen)
Lightweight tapestries help disguise ugly dorm walls and can complement your teen’s bedding choices. This one at Pottery Barn Teen is gorgeous (and what a dreamy space if your teen needs a room divider), but there are many different styles, including sports imagery and world maps. They have loops that make them easy to attach to the wall (or ceiling) with Command Hooks.
4. KASZOO Artificial Ivy Garland (Amazon)
Ivy garlands are very popular now — and this one has tiny lights that offer magic forest illumination. Each vine is 7 feet long and has 80 leaves for 84 feet of decorative pieces. They’re easy to hang up next to a bed and will create the perfect backdrop for photos.
5. DAYBETTER LED Strip Lights (Amazon)
These strip lights are ideal for hanging along the top corner of a dorm room to bring some serious vibes. Using the included remote control, you can change the color or connect it to a smartphone via Bluetooth to play music and control the color and brightness.
6. Command Picture Ledge (Amazon)
The maker makes these easy-to-install ledges of Command strips that can be fixed to walls with enclosed strips, which is great if you cannot drill into walls. Perfect for displaying photos and knickknacks, each can hold up to five pounds. Plus, they are available in different lengths and finishes.
7. Fanatics Banner Flags (Fanatics)
Like tapestries, buying an oversized flag is a popular way to cover dorm walls, adding a piece of home to the room. They also become instant conversation as your son or daughter gets to know their roommate and hallmates. Fanatics offers a wide selection of officially-licensed team flags and banners for the NCAA and many pro teams.
8. WOWMAX Large Bolster Pillow (Amazon)
An alternative to a headboard is this large triangular bolster pillow, which is large enough to prop up while in bed but still comfortable enough to sleep on. Think of it as an alternative to a husband’s pillow. It is available in seven colors and comes in different widths.
9. Vinyl Peel-and-Stick Decals (Amazon)
For an easier splash of color than applying wallpaper, check out these inexpensive dots stickers that can be easily arranged on a dorm wall. It comes in dozens of colors; you could mix and match them for a unique look!
10. Base Roots Moon Phase Wall Hanging (Amazon)
Fans of astrology will love hanging this moon phase garland over their bed. It has 13 moons featuring every waning and waxing phase, except for the new moon. The golden color glistens and is super easy to put up.
11. LUCKYLIFE Picture Frame Set (Amazon)
Some of the best dorm decor are the memories you’ve made before college. Fill these ten frames with pictures of friends and family that can be hung as a gallery wall above their bed or desk. It’s a great thing to look at when they’re homesick.
Best Dorm Decor Furniture
12. Pottery Barn Teen Area Rugs (Pottery Barn Teen)
Pottery Barn Teen has an extensive collection of area rugs, including washable ones. They’re great to cover up cold, linoleum floors and show off a little flair. Plus, they’re something your student can take to their first apartment.
13. 3-Tier Rolling Cart (The Container Store)
Rolling carts are handy for toiletries, cleaning supplies, or almost anything. This will help your teen keep all their daily essentials organized and move them around if needed. It comes in eight fun colors and can work well in a bathroom or craft room later in life.
14. Poppin Box Seat (The Container Store)
A storage ottoman is a handy catch-all disguised as a seat! It holds up to 275 pounds and can store towels, sheets, and more. Available in four colors, it collapses flat when not in use. The top is cushioned, so it is a comfortable place for friends to sit when they visit your teen’s dorm room.
15. Urban Shop Mongolian Butterfly Chair (Amazon)_
Extra seating, for when friends drop by or when your student wants a comfy place to read, is accessible with this folding butterfly chair. Personalize with a pillow or throw blanket. This chair is available in several colors.
16. Yamazaki 3-Tier Storage Rack (Amazon)
This storage rack can serve multiple purposes: placed between elevated beds, one of the two adjustable shelves can be used as a nightstand. A mini-fridge can fit underneath it, and the other shelf can be used for nonperishable snacks and supplies. No tools are required for assembly.
Best Desk Organization Dorm Decor
17. PAG Adjustable Desktop Shelf (Amazon)
If your teen’s college desk does not have a bookcase or storage unit on top, this is a great addition. A desk hutch can store books and supplies and has space for a few personal items, like photos or other reminders of home.
18. Room Essentials Organizer Task Lamp (Target)
This desk lamp features a few compartments to house pens, sticky notes, or other study supplies. Best of all, it features a USB port and phone stand for a convenient spot to recharge devices while your student works.
Personalized Dorm Decor
19. Monogrammed Pillow Cover (Pottery Barn Teen)
Another cute pillow idea comes from Pottery Barn Teen with these trendy monogrammed pillow covers. You’ll need to purchase the inserts separately, but they’re easy to put on.
20. No Nails Pinboard (Pottery Barn Teen)
This pinboard from Pottery Barn Teen is the perfect place to hang memorable photos, flyers for upcoming campus events, and reminders.
Why you should trust us
We are three moms who have raised 8 young adults and have been working on products lists for over 12 years now, making us experts. When selecting products we survey the Grown and Flown Parents Facebook group of nearly 300,000 parents of teens, tweens and young adults. We do opinion polls, surveys and ask open ended questions. We search for products that combine reasonable price with high quality and are recommended by our large following.
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