Home, Sweet Dorm Room

Moving into a dorm for the first time means you’ll be starting with a clean slate. Granted, it’s a pretty small cube-shaped clean slate, but it’ll be your home away from home for a while, so make it your own. Here are some tips and ideas for decorating your dorm room:

For starters, you’ll need storage, storage, storage. Like I said, your dorm room won’t be all that grand, and you’ll likely be sharing the space with another person and all of your things. Having enough storage for your stuff will be important.

Blue storage ottoman -$19.99 also at Bed Bath & Beyond

Each piece in the Fushia closet storage set - $9.99 at Bed Bath & Beyond

Plastic Sterilite Cart - $38.99 at Target

Shelving is also a good idea for storing books, DVDs, picture frames, snacks, etc.

5-Shelf bookshelf - $29.99 at Bed Bath & Beyond

Blue cube storage unit - $19.99 at Bed Bath & Beyond

Blue shelf tote - $14.99 each at Target

Green shelf tote - $14.99 each at Target

There are endless options for sheets and comforter combinations for your bed. Just be sure to get the extra-long twin sized sheets + comforter and you’re good to go. The full “bed in a bag” may be a good option if you want to just get it all knocked out with one purchase.

Jasmine Bed in a Bag - $59.99 at Target

Purple Bed in a Bag - $79.99 at Bed Bath & Beyond

You can also mix and match with separates and accessories.

2 Brown throw pillows - $19.99 for both at Target

Floral blanket - $29.99 at Target

Orange body pillow - $9.99 at Bed Bath & Beyond

Wamsutta X-Long twin sheet sets - $29.99 at Bed Bath & Beyond

Rugs also add a nice accent to your dorm room. You may want to go with something a bit more neutral in color so it has more chance of matching both you and your roommate’s styles.

Cream rug - $19.99 at Target

Checkered rug - $39.99 at Bed Bath & Beyond

Floor lamps are a good way to get brighter or softer lighting (since the actual light in the dorms can sometimes be strong fluorescents, or either too dim). Also, desk lamps are a good idea for the late night study sessions (which will happen. Get ready!).

Black & White Table Lamp - $16.99 at Target

2-head Floor Lamp - $19.99 at Target

5-head Pink Floor Lamp - $34.99 at Target

Yellow Desk Lamp - $9.99 at Target

Comfortable chairs for when you want to watch TV or have company. Butterfly chairs are a good option because they can easily be folded and put away when you don’t necessarily need them.

Black round butterfly chair - $29.99 at Target

Pink butterfly chair - $29.99 at Target

Curtains are always great to add warmth color to the décor. [Just be sure to check your college or university's policies on what you can use on the dorm walls. Some don’t allow nails or screws (or even tape) so that the wall damage is left to a minimum. Be sure you know what you can and can’t use before you mount anything.]

Turquoise clear curtains - $19.99 at Target

Crimson curtains - $24.99 at Bed Bath & Beyond

Zebra print curtains - $16.99 at Target

And, lastly, here are some miscellaneous decoration and organization ideas.

You may not have a full-length mirror in your room, so a door mirror is a good option.

Door mirror - $14.99 at Target

French Memo Boards are awesome to post up pictures, post cards, mail, and whatever else tickles your fancy. It’s a bit more sophisticated than a corkboard, but serves the same purpose.

French Memo Board - $14.99 at Bed Bath & Beyond

Door Beads add a little flair to your entryway.

Door beads - $19.99 at Target

Always convenient are the 3M Command hooks. I used them all through college in dorms and off-campus apartments. Those hooks must have about ten million different uses. Keep ‘em handy.

3M Command hooks - $3.49 at Target

I hope this post gave you all some ideas on decorating and organizing your dorm rooms. Have an awesome school year!

-- Chevonne Collins
Guest Blogger