20 Dorm Room Decorating Ideas to Personalize Your Space

Add some personality and whimsy into your new home away from home—your dorm room. Getting creative with wall decor, bedding, and organization approaches will ensure that your space feels like a reflection of your style and needs.

Below are 20 stylish dorm room decorating ideas that'll make it easy to personalize your space, even when you're working with a blank canvas.

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Create a Lofted Sleep Space

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If you're able to alter your bed height, consider creating a lofted setup to maximize your floor space. Then, place a desk or dresser underneath the bed—or put a bean bag chair down there and design a cozy reading nook.

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Bring on the Neon With a Strand of Lights

@ellaglassclock / Instagram

A strand of neon lights adds visual interest to this plain white wall while still being minimalistic. Just make sure you can easily access the off switch so that the bright lights don't interfere with your sleep.

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Layer Throw Pillows

@lunadorminteriors / Instagram

If you love having plenty of throw pillows in your room at home, be sure to bring some to the dorm with you, too. Mix various patterns and colors to create an arrangement that's uniquely yours.

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Hang Faux Vines Behind the Bed

@angelasperspective / Instagram

Maybe you won't be able to keep a plant alive in your dorm room, but you can still bring some green into your room in the form of hanging vines. Place them behind your bed for dramatic effect—you'll feel like you're waking up each morning in a lush garden.

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Personalize You Space With a Light Up Sign

@lunadorminteriors / Instagram

Purchase a neon sign spelling out your name or favorite phrase and hang it above your bed so that everyone knows which side of the room is yours. Your roommate may wish to join in on the fun, too.

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Weave Small Decorative Pieces Into Your Space

@angelasperspective / Instagram

Small decorative accents will go a long way in taking a dorm room from bland to beautiful. Fake plants, little mirrors, and picture frames are some great pieces to bring into your space.

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Add a Hutch to Your Desk for Storage

@jordanr.23 / Instagram

Placing a hutch on your desk will double your storage space. If your desk is going to double as a getting-ready station, you can carve out space on the hutch for makeup and hair tools while devoting the main portion of your desk to school supplies.

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Make Over a Blank Wall

@kimberlywestphillips / Instagram

Generally, dorm room beds are pushed right up against the wall. To add character to your side of the room, hang posters, string lights, and whatever else will make you feel more at home. You can even cut images out of magazines and DIY a collage of your favorite artists, colors, or movies.

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Hang Your Hats

@sadieharvey5 / Instagram

Hats aren't just fashionable, they make for fun decor, too. Use stick-on hooks to create a wall display above your bed or dresser to make a chic statement.

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Get Organized With Mesh Bins

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If your dorm includes open shelving, use it to store any miscellaneous items. Mesh bins like the ones shown here are perfect for stashing extra toiletries, school supplies, and other small items. Since they're see-through, you'll be able to quickly find what you need especially if you're running late for class.

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Utilize Storage Drawers

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Make use of storage drawers wherever possible—most dorm dressers are pretty small, and extra bins like these come in handy for tucking away workout clothes, extra sheets, baseball hats, winter gear, and much more.

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Don't Forget Your Pet

@_paintedbyahd / Instagram

One of the hardest parts about moving into a dorm room is leaving your family pet behind. Pay tribute to your furry friend by ordering a custom pillow featuring his or her face and placing it on your bed. It's cute and an instant conversation starter.

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Frame Posters

@trentstencil.art / Instagram

Rather than simply taping your posters to the walls, take a moment to place them inside frames. This doesn't just look nice, but it will also ensure that your posters don't get torn as you take them down at the end of the year, which will be perfect to use the year after.

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Illuminate Your Dorm Room

@adittakesdisney / Instagram

Dorm rooms aren't known for their abundance of sunlight, so you'll want to bring in some lamps to ensure that your environment is bright enough for studying. A floor lamp like this one is equal parts functional and aesthetic.

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Bring Your Own Headboard

@goodjuju.shop / Instagram

One cool way to add major style to a dorm room is by bringing a headboard to the space. If you're feeling crafty, you can even DIY this type of piece. Select a fun fabric that speaks to you. A headboard will make lounging and reading in bed feel cozier, too.

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Make Reading Extra Enjoyable

@laci.hentschel / Instagram

If you enjoy reading or reviewing notes from the comfort of your room at night, add a pillow with arms to your bed so that you can easily prop yourself up for extra comfort.

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Take Your Desk to the Next Level

@livingwell_design / Instagram

Makeover a basic dorm desk by covering it with some fabric in the color and print of your choosing. Then, add a glass cutting on top to ensure that you'll still be able to utilize this surface for writing. This approach makes any weathered wooden desk look so much more elevated and chic.

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Layer Your Bedding

Amy Littleson

Add instant color to your dorm room with a vibrant quilt like this one. It will come in handy as an extra layer during chilly months, too.

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Hang a Mini Gallery Wall

Fran Acciardo

Add personality to plain dorm room walls by hanging an arrangement of three favorite prints above your bed. You can easily print out digital downloads and pop them into simple frames, which can be purchased in a pack at an affordable price point. Many dorm dwellers use removable hooks to adhere framed works to the wall.

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Make Getting Ready Nice and Easy

Fran Acciardo

Keep all of your shoes organized by purchasing a shoe rack that can fit inside your closet. This will make getting ready for class way easier, even if you're waking up at the last minute. No more rifling through various bins or under the bed in search of a matching pair of sneakers.