One of the most exciting parts about moving to your college dorm is being able to at long last decorate your room.
It’s when all those hours you’ve spent scouring Instagram and Pinterest for inspiration is finally put in practice.
But finding the perfect inspo is sometimes more elusive than we’d like. You might think you’re set on something only to later change your mind, or forces beyond your control leads you to adjust.
No matter the case, if you’re short on leads and influences, then here’s a list of our best college dorm room ideas for girls!
35 Dorm Room Ideas for Girls
1. Elevated bed with underbed storage
If space management is one of your pressing challenges, then a popular but timeless solution is an underbed storage.
You can get creative with storage options with any bed, but an elevated one can really help maximize your storage space.
2. Use recycled home decors
You can start recycling your own stuff or buy custom ones from local thrift stores or online sellers.
Just remember, to get the most value from these installations, make an initial attempt to reduce your own clutter and repurpose them.
3. Add houseplants to freshen up your dorm
Plants can make your room feel more alive and vibrant.
Also, the good thing about houseplants is that they already come in a variety of color, sizes and shapes. So, you are never short on dorm-friendly options.
4. Dried or faux flowers for wall decor
If you like decorative flowers but unable to do live maintenance, consider dried or synthetic flower decors to liven up your room.
Artificial plants and flowers are more common as interior decoration these days and look phenomenal in small spaces
5. Boho style dorm room
Bohemian is typically associated with unconventional and creative traits, which is likely the reason why it’s become a popular trend in college dorm rooms.
Boho makes for an excellent theme because it’s perfect for showcasing personality, and it has plenty of resources to take inspiration from.
6. Brighten up the room with fairly lights
Fairly lights are versatile although the concept arguably works better as an accent rather than being a central theme.
For the most part, they look stunning when used sparingly or integrated under the right circumstances.
7. Decorate with wall-hanging ivy vines
Ivy vines are commonly seen as a backdrop in wedding ceremonies as it’s said to signify everlasting life, loyalty and devotion.
For dorms, artificial ivy vines are popular as hanging wall decors for themes like cottagecore and rustic. You can also use it to lightly touch up monotone walls and ceiling.
8. Add blackout curtains
You can use blackout curtains to keep your dorm dimly lit for personal preference or to complement an existing theme.
Blackout curtains are available in different colors and provide varying levels of shade and comfort.
9. Use a loft bed
Loft bed is one of the best space-saving solutions primary catered to dormitory rooms.
Students commonly loft their bed and place a study table or small dresser beneath the platform. This is all done to maximize vertical space and provide a better spread for projects and other belongings.
10. Get an ottoman
Ottomans are great fillers that you can use in various ways to put your room together. At the very least, it’s also a multi-functional storage and seat in one.
Ottomans are available in different colors and configuration. Most can be used as a spare seat but there are also wider variants that can be set up as table stand-ins.
11. Add a vanity mirror or corner
A vanity mirror is a common decorative element in many girls’ room. But as opposed to its name, it’s never really just a vanity item.
A well-lit mirror can help transform your day and mood in an instant. With customizable lighting, you can also mimic natural daylight to give you a cozy and familiar ambiance when needed.
12. Install a paper lantern
Paper lantern is a great alternative if you are not fond of fairy lights or lamps but need a controlled light source on certain occasions.
You lanterns you can get online are typically those that can be hanged from the ceiling or posted as desk lamps.
13. Set up a gallery wall
Gallery walls are common in dorm rooms but are rarely ever alike.
You can personalize the content of your gallery to a great extent. For example, you can use movie posters but limit it to only those you rate or fit it a certain theme.
14. Use stick-on wallpapers
One way to quickly personalize your interior without breaking the bank is by adding stick-on wallpapers.
Peel-adhesive wallpapers are very easy to apply and has good variety. Plus, they are flexible to use. You can simply touch up a corner or go for a full room makeover on your own.
15. Order a custom neon sign
Neon signs surprisingly look great in a room setting. Even more so if the decor is custom-made.
They also blend nicely in almost any set up and take no significant space in the process. Neon signs are typically hanged or stamped on a wall, but you’ll also find variants that sit comfy on top of your desk.
16. Cottagecore dorm room
Cottagecore is an aesthetic trend that went viral on social media but also eventually found its place in interior design.
This style favors handicrafts, houseplants and secondhand furniture. It also tends to lean on neutral and warm tones, vintage- or rural-inspired items and sustainable living.
17. Go for a vintage look
There’s no better place to channel old school preferences than in your dorm room. The best part? There are plenty of affordable ways to go retro.
Local thrift stores can bring a lot to your cause and online shops can be relied upon to wrap things up or fill some gaps.
18. How about letter boards?
Letter boards look good on desks, walls and on top of cabinets. They also sell cheap.
Overall, it puts a good spin on framed quotes and signs because the board is always customizable. College is roller coaster ride and letter boards can help showcase those fluctuations.
19. Showcase your vinyl collection
If you have a vinyl collection then it’s only right to have dedicated corner for your turntable and rare finds.
Records are both sophisticated as an amusement and aesthetic. It’s also one of the finest hobbies to incorporate in interior arrangements.
20. Install a floating shelf
Floating shelves is one efficient way to organize your stuff and maximize vertical space in your room.
Shelves come in various sizes and configuration, so you should have little to no issue finding the right fit for your home setup.
21. Get a moving rack organizer
A storage cart or moving rack is a perfect organizer for your small belongings and personal effects.
This versatile storage unit offers great space-saving potential for dorm rooms because of its small frame and excellent use of layered racks. There’s also its mobility, which can come in handy in a dorm room setting.
22. Go for wooden fixtures
Wooden furniture and fixtures can help set the tone for many dorm room themes. They easily blend in and has a dense market to accommodate your preferences.
Even if you don’t have a set theme, wooden finishes can make the place feel more cozy and aesthetically sound.
23. Buy a multi-layered shelving unit
A handful of your possessions might be too enigmatic to remain out of sight, so how about organizing and showcasing them in a beautiful shelf instead?
In place of small storage units, you can go for a big multi-layered shelf as your primary organizer.
24. Recreate a minimalist dorm room
If you love minimalism then you’ll definitely enjoy incorporating this concept into your dorm room.
College is already hectic as it is, so letting your dorm room become an antithesis to that can do wonders for your wellness. Just remember that minimalism is more than an aesthetic choice, it’s a lifestyle.
25. Fill space with a wall tapestry
Tapestry is one of the go-to decors for interiors because it’s easy to set up and detach. Not to mention it’s also very practical.
It can also make a room appear more spacious, wider or smaller depending on its design and arrangement.
26. Repaint with bold colors
Make a statement with bold colors and captivating shades. Sometimes a re-shade can do more for your room than ramping up its fixtures.
When choosing colors, look for those that connects with you on a personal level.
27. Get fancy with desk organizers
A standout desk organizer not only adds a bit of flair onto your desk, but it also boosts productivity.
Desk organizers can make even the busiest tabletops appear more coordinated and reserved. Take the liberty in using as many as you like to make your ideal workspace.
28. Consider a clothing rack
For your everyday clothes, consider a clothing rack or rail rather than a wardrobe or closet.
This setup can free up space and simplify pre-planning your daily fit. Depending on the layout of your rack, you can also pair other garments with your on-display clothes.
29. Get a nice rug
If you somehow still have space to fill, why not purchase a rug to make the room feel homey and vibrant?
Rugs are great in dorm rooms because there’s never a need to fill the entire room. They are mostly there to add warmth to the surface and make your feet comfy.
30. Increase your underbed space
No enough underbed space? Then get yourself some bed risers to get more storage room.
Risers come in different variants but you only really need them to do one thing well and that is to elevated your bed frame. It’s a cost-saving move if you don’t have a loft bed available.
31. Add a throw blanket for extra comfort
A throw blanket, often made of wool, fleece or cashmere, is typically used to cover a couch or as an extra bedding layer.
Having one in your dorm means you get an extra cover (or half-cover) when the mood or room temperature calls for it. Throws also provide nice aesthetic with minimal effort required.
32. Set a primary color
If you’re not to keen on following abstract concepts, then how about establishing a monotone color scheme instead?
Having a dominant color in your dorm is a great way to put things together with lighter restrictions.
33. Go for all-white and neutral accents
The most effective way to maximize your space is to ensure everything has a place when not in use and that those items you decidedly have no use for are not kept in vain.
To compliment that minimalist look consider going for an all-white study corner with neutral accents.
34. Invest in a storage trunk
Storage trunks are not your conventional budget-friendly storage option, but they can be worth every extra penny.
Trunks usually come with locks or an option to add one, which means they’re not just stylish, they’re pretty secured, too.
35. Don’t forget to install a pinboard
A pinboard or cork board that you can decorate or simply use to pin important notes, cutouts and whatnot is a dorm room essential.
Alternatively, you can also go for whiteboard and take a similar approach. Your board can be an active showcase of your college journey and personal growth.
Have fun customizing your dorm
Items, themes and decorations with personal meaning or connections are more likely to give you a richer and cozier atmosphere. So, try as much as you can to stick to what makes you, you.
At the same time, keep an open mind when searching for inspiration. After all, you’re still only on the verge of discovering a part of yourself that will emerge in your college journey.
