A common rite of passage for new college students is their move into their schools' residence halls. Living in a dorm can be an amazing way to meet new people and get involved in what your school has to offer. After coming from home, however, entering a bare cinder-block room can seem far from welcoming. Luckily, there are several easy, affordable things that you can add to make your room feel like home.
1. Fairy/Christmas Lights
This one is nothing new. Putting up lights has become a major bedroom trend, certainly not excluding dorm rooms. Besides being nice to look at, the warm glow of these lights are comforting and help to make the walls look more lived-in and less bare.
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2. Plants
Succulents and cacti have also been all the rage recently. Apart from being cute and healthy additions to your room (plants naturally filter the air, giving you more oxygen and fewer toxins), they are also very easy to care for. Water them whenever their soil gets dry, give them some light, and you've got yourself a little garden wherever you are. Bonus: add fun pots or planters for a more finished look.
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3. A Rug
When moving from home to a residence hall, one of the most immediately striking things is the lack of carpeting or wood flooring instead, most dorms have cold, tile floors that aren't always that appealing to the eye. Snagging a cheap, stylish rug for your room can immediately make your space feel more familiar and welcoming. Check home goods stores, or, better yet, see if there is a store in your area that sells yards of material that will fit your room dimensions.
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4. Personal Photos
Many of us bring pictures with us to college, whether they be of our family, friends, dogs, and cats, and otherwise, but the way that you display them can make all the difference. If you have a polaroid printer or camera, displaying these photos on clotheslines, string lights, or even small frames made specifically for the polaroids that you take. You could make an ever-popular photo collage, invest in some cute and cheap frames, and more. Searching on sites like Pinterest can help you to find lots of cheap and easy ways to fill your walls and feel at home.
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5. Art Prints/Posters
Another way to add personality to your walls is to bring any art prints, cutouts, or posters that appeal to you. Since they come in a variety of colors, shapes, and sizes, it's easy to find space for them and get creative. Find art prints and posters online on sites like Amazon, Redbubble, Etsy, or Society6, support local creators, or check out various stores in your town. Look on Google Images or Pinterest for images to print off. Another thing that I also like to do is look through magazines and cut out certain photos, art, or text that appeals to me. All of these can be easily hung or put up with Washi Tape or Command Strips.
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6. A Cute Duvet
Walking in and seeing a bare mattress and twin bed can be depressing. Whether you bring your duvet and sheets from home or decide to splurge on new ones, your duvet can be a major factor in setting the tone, style, and color scheme for your room. Stores like Amazon, Target, Ikea, and Bed Bath and Beyond often have special sales and deals ahead of move-in day (and affordable prices year-round). Some sites (such as ) even let you design your own.
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7. Good Organization
Organization is key to having a clean, put-together room, but that doesn't mean that it has to be boring. Make the most of whatever storage might be built into the room, such as drawers, bookcases, or closets. Adding little touches, such as filling drawers with cheap, cute wallpaper, or purchasing a bed skirt to hide storage under your bed, can keep your dorm tidy while also inserting a bit of your personality.
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8. Cozy Blankets/Pillows/Stuffed Animals
After a long day of class and extra-curricular commitments, having a cozy room (and, more importantly, a cozy bed!) to come back to can make things just a bit easier. Between home décor stores and the Internet, you can find comfortable pillows and blankets in a variety of styles and patterns to suit your room. Many students often bring a soft stuffed animal from home to cuddle (personal favorites: Ikea stuffed dogs).
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9. Media
While you'll probably have technology with you to keep you entertained, bringing other media that you love with you to school can make your dorm feel even more like home. You'll also have them to share with friends if you decide to hang out or spend the night in. Keeping them inside your desk, under your furniture, or displaying them on shelves (floating shelves are a very affordable option) keeps them readily available.
10. Keepsakes from Loved Ones
Apart from pictures, bringing notes, cards, or gifts that you were given by loved ones to display in your room can help you to feel loved and supported during difficult days in the semester. There are also a number of options for displaying them (Washi Tape, bulletin or peg boards, and frames, just to name a few).
What are some of your favorite additions to your dorm room?
Please note that prices are accurate and items in stock as of the time of publication. As an Amazon Associate, Odyssey may earn a portion of qualifying sales.
