Feeling a little lost when it comes to dorm decor? This advice from HomeGoods experts has you covered.
Kristin Leitten
If you’re a college student, congrats: You’ve officially moved in and made it through the first weeks of class. Now that you’re settled, it’s the perfect time to put the finishing touches on your dorm and get those decor pieces you’ve been eyeing (you deserve it!). We’ve gathered tried and true tips for dorm room design from experts who have also helped their own kids move into college housing. Read on for their best advice on setting up a dorm room any student would be happy to call home.
Bedding Is Everything
“You might not have a lot of time to sleep or relax, so make it count!” says designer Ursula Carmona, host of HGTV’s Table Wars: The Look For Less, who has two kids in college. “Make a bed you never want to crawl out of (even if you have to).”
At the end of a long day of back-to-back classes, that stiff dorm mattress might not be the most comfortable. It’s smart to invest in a mattress topper—it’ll give your back a break. You’re also probably going to have to buy new sheets to fit the mattress; just make sure to double check what size mattress you’ll have before purchasing, since most college dorms offer a twin XL. Making a comfortable yet practical bed, decked out with pillows and a cozy duvet, will let you get the rest you need to conquer all your classes.
Jenny Reimold, style expert at HomeGoods, suggests keeping the wash process in mind when purchasing your bedding necessities. (The washing machines in dorms aren’t always top of the line.)
“Remember that most college washing machines cannot handle oversized loads, so a more wash-friendly duvet cover and sheet set ensures that linens actually get washed regularly,” she says.
Related: The 9 Best Mattress Toppers of 2023 for Every Type of Sleeper
Roll out the Rugs
You won’t have much room for carpeting in a tiny dorm room, but adding just a small rug can really make a difference on an impersonal and cold concrete or tile floor. Reimold suggests incorporating a pop of personality with a rug—between two beds in a double or under the desk are great places to start.
“Old dorm carpet or cement flooring makes rooms feel cold and institutional,” says Reimold. “Upgrade the comfort or color with a Bohemian, handwoven fringed rug or washable gender-neutral patterned rug for under $150 at HomeGoods.”
Find Mirrors for Every Occasion
Communal bathrooms are notoriously a headache, so you might be confined to your room for most of your getting-ready routine. A full-length mirror is a great addition to any room for a last-minute outfit check before class, and adding a small makeup station—equipped with a standing or handheld mirror—will ensure you’re never fighting with your roommate or hallmates for mirror space.
“Be ready for those days when the bathroom is occupied, and your roommate is hogging the main mirror in your room,” Carmona says. “To avoid being late for class or hanging out with friends, keep a small personal mirror handy or hang one as part of your decor over a desk.”
Set up Plenty of Storage
It can be difficult to downsize to a shared dorm room if you’re used to having your own space, and you might end up bringing a few too many clothes, shoes, or books with you to the dorm. With cramped college closets and minimal under-the-bed space, shelving and other storage solutions can maximize your closet space and make everything just a bit easier to find. The last thing you want is to be rifling aimlessly through your closet—or in a pile on your desk chair—just minutes before an 8 a.m. class.
“Adding wooden shelves to a college dorm closet is a super easy way to stay organized without creating a messy pile on the floor,” Reimold says. “Hanging options and shoe racks also provide extra storage space and typically cost under $20, making it an easy fix for less.”
Related: 19 Creative Storage Ideas to Solve Your Small-Space Problems
Focus on Lighting
Dorm rooms don’t always have the best natural light—and the overhead fluorescent lights in dated college buildings don’t make for the best ambience. Putting some extra thought into the spaces in your room that could benefit from softer lighting, like on your desk or beside your bed, can really impact your state of mind. Carmona suggests getting creative with small light fixtures to add pops of color and life in an otherwise dreary space.
“A sturdy metal lamp is important for studying (especially when you don’t want to bother your roommate), but it’s also a great way to add style,” Carmona says. “Add an extra bit of sparkle with a fun neon sign or twinkly string lights for ambiance.”
Kristin Leitten
A Stay-Home Study Space
When the library’s just not cutting it, you’ll want some space at home to focus—but that simple wooden desk supplied by the school won’t do the trick on its own. Aside from bright lighting, check to see whether your college allows power strips in dorm rooms. If it does, make sure to stock up—you don’t need another reason to squabble with your roommate.
“Students can never have too many chargers or power strips in college,” Reimold says.
Though you won’t need as much stationery in college, you’ll still want somewhere to store the basics—having a stapler could just make you the most sought-after student on your floor. Plus, if you have any overflow from your closet or under the bed, adding storage on and in the desk can help out in a pinch.
“Add a rolling cart or stackable bins underneath for extra storage,” Carmona says. “Clear stackable organizers are a great way to quickly see what you have, and efficiently use every square inch of space.”
Make It Your Own
The most important part of decking out a dorm room is making it a comfortable, personalized space where you feel ready to unwind. Alongside the keepsakes and photos you’ll probably want to bring along, small accessories can really bring a space to life—and maybe even make your room the go-to hangout spot. Carmona suggests decor that doubles as a privacy shield, and decorative lighting to boot.
“Run twine as if it were a clothesline across the room and hang curtains from it as a cute divider when open, and a little extra privacy when closed,” Carmona says. “HomeGoods has tons of affordable curtains—from sheer and tufted to more opaque, embroidered options. Make it even more enchanting by adding twinkle lights along the top.”
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