When space is limited, you have to get creative.

Making a dorm room mood board is a MUST before making any purchases. Because college dorm rooms have such limited floor space, it’s so important to be strategic about each item you place. Bringing some home decor into your college space can also help you get that “home-y” feeling in what can often be a cold space. This is especially important for freshmen, who may be dealing with homesickness.

Here are the main things I consider when designing a dorm room:

 

1. Maximizing Function

In a space as small as a college dorm room, nearly every item must have a purpose – and just because something is functional does NOT mean it cannot also be stylish (bonus points if you can find a piece that is chic while serving multiple functions!).

2. Separation of different “zones”

No matter how many extracurricular activities you’re involved in, the majority of your time will be spent in your dorm. When studying, sleeping, meal time, etc. all happen in the same place, it can be difficult to maximize productivity. I find that having designated spaces for specific activities helps to tell your brain “hey, it’s time to switch jobs.” For example: use your desk only for studying/working, your bed only for sleeping, and a meal tray or roll-away cart for meals.

3. Reducing Clutter

It’s way easier for clutter to pile up in a smaller space, especially when you’re busy with schoolwork. Finding ways to stay organized early in the year, may save you some stress during finals week.

4. Maximizing Space

One of the best ways to maximize your space is to make use of your vertical space with pinboards, hanging shelves, etc. You can also use lighting and mirrors to help the room feel bigger.

Tip: Try adding a mirror on a wall opposite a window and adding at least 1 additional light source to help the room feel bigger.

5. Using Color & Texture to Create a Mood

School is stressful enough – your dorm room should be an escape from the daily grind. Soft color palettes and cozy textures like knits, tapestries, and boucle can help bring some tranquility into your day.

Creating Your Dorm Room Mood Board

With all of these points in mind, It’s time to create your inspiration board!  I like to take images from Pinterest and put them all on one board so I can easily scan them and take note of any recurring themes in my pins. From there, its easy to move my favorite images to a photo app to create a digital mood board. Canva is a great tool for this, but use any app you feel comfortable with.

A physical mood board is also great, but it could take a bit longer to collect all of your inspiration photos. The idea here is not to replicate any specific image, but to get a better idea of the overall look you are going for and adding personal touches to make it your own.

I put together this example dorm room mood board that ties all of these ideas together. Get inspo from my dorm room ideas or simply copy them all together! I have provided all the links to everything you see here.

 

 

Dorm Room Decor Essentials:

This post may contain affiliate links, which means we may receive a commission, at no extra cost to you, if you make a purchase through a link. Please see our full disclosure for further information.

Click the item name below to go to the product website:

1. Rattan Lamp – The perfect companion to a late-night study sesh.

2. Knit Blanket – This knit blanket doesn’t just LOOK cozy AF, but it is also WEIGHTED, meaning it helps with reducing anxiety and improving sleep. I’d say that’s a college must.

3. Wire Basket – Storage is the name of the game in a small space. Store on a shelf or hang on the wall.

4. Boucle Armchair – If you have space to spare, an armchair is a perfect way to add a bit of coziness in your space. This is one of the most affordable boucle chairs I’ve found yet!

5. Mirror – The shape of this mirror is such a fun spin on a practical item.

6. Storage Side Table – This side table doubles as a storage bin, so you aren’t wasting an inch of precious floor space.

7. Faux Olive Tree – Okay, I know I said that every item needs to have a function and I can sense you side-eyeing me on this one. But some rules are meant to be broken – especially when they’re this gorgeous.

8. Retro Fridge – This is a stunning dupe of the Smeg fridge for a fraction of the cost!

9. Hanging Shelves – Putting that wall space to work is always a good idea.

10. Sherpa Rug – A fun, fluffy rug is a great way to break your living space up into separate zones For example, you could set it up in front of your armchair and floor lamp to make a designated reading nook.

11. Utility Cart – The versatility of a utility cart is unmatched. You make them into nearly ANYTHING you want. It’s like having an entire room on wheels. Use it as a rolling pantry, a cleaning/laundry cart, a bar cart – get creative!

12. Wall Tapestry – Tapestries are great because they can occupy a huge area for usually cheaper than a piece of large wall art. They also roll right up for portability on moving day.

13. Plaid Rug – A rug is a staple in any dorm room. This plaid is modern and classic, while still cozy and homey.

14. Floral Bedding – A neutral floral print is a classic way to add a pattern without it feeling tacky or juvenile.

 

xo, tjp