Dorm Room Decor and Design

By Dominique Mickiewicz

As college and university students start packing their bags for school, families are finding their cars filled to the brim with dorm room supplies. Whether you’re already prepared for move-in day or just starting to shop, here are some simple tips and tricks to help you plan and create space in your dorm room.

The Power of Preparation

Whether it’s your first move-in day or you’re a seasoned pro, doing just a little bit of preparation makes move-in day considerably more manageable.

Figure Out the Floor Plan – Researching the square footage and floor plan of your future room, in addition to noting the pieces of furniture provided by the college, helps you know what to bring without over-packing. Most colleges and universities post specific dorm information within the “residential life” pages of their websites.

Coordinate with the Roommate – Developing open communication with your roommate before move-in day not only helps to break the ice, but also determines who is going to bring what. Discuss which items you are willing to share to save space and avoid duplication.

Be a Mindful Packer – Try to organize your clothes, decorations, bedding and furniture while you pack so that upon arrival to your dorm room, items can be easily taken out and put away. Pre-planning while in the packing process frees up time to explore the campus and make new friends rather than staying cooped up in your room setting up all day.

Check That List Twice

Think you have everything you need to set up your dorm room for a successful year? Read through our extra dorm room decor and design suggestions before pulling out of the driveway.

Begin with Bed Risers – These durable lifters come in many different lengths to effectively raise your bed and increase storage space. Pick the size that’s right for you, whether you want to fit a storage bin underneath, a mini fridge or even a desk and chair!

Lots of Lighting – A well-lit room not only brightens a space but also makes it easier to productively complete homework and study. Bring floor lamps as well as desk lamps to lighten up every corner of the room. Explore small battery powered push lights that can be placed in dark closets to help you see and organize your clothes and storage. Twinkle and Christmas lights are also great additions to transform your room into a relaxing space at the end of the day.

Hold Off on Holes – Photos, tapestries and posters all add a personal touch and homey feel to any dorm room. Avoid drilling holes or inserting nails into the walls by utilizing mounting squares. These adhesive strips keep their strength throughout the year, and are easy to peel off the wall at the end of the semester without leaving ant permanent damage.

Try Removable Wallpaper – Temporary wallpaper adds color and sophistication to the typical white walls of the average dorm room. With hundreds of hues and patterns to chose from, this wallpaper sticks easily to multiple surfaces and can easily be peeled away at the end of the year. Plus, you can use extra scraps to line the inside of your desk and drawers, extending your personal touch to the smallest corners of your room.

The start of a new school year should be filled with anticipation and excitement, not stress. Preparing for move-in day and acquiring all the best supplies will ensure that the fall semester starts off on a strong foot, and continues to breed success throughout the year!

Dominique Mickiewicz is a Prince William County native and student at Wellesley College in Wellesley, Mass. An avid reader with an even greater love for writing, she is the First Place winner of the 2018 VHSL Multimedia Contest for Prose Spread. She is currently a writer and Production Director for the Wellesley Globalist, an international affairs publication, and a Prose Editor for the Wellesley Review Literary Magazine