affordable dorm room decor | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post

8 Budget-Friendly Ways To Make Your Dorm Room Look Less Like A Prison Cell

Dorm rooms aren't exactly known for their hominess and style. Being given a plain space can be intimidating at first, but there are a number of affordable, functional ways to decorate your room in a way that makes it truly feel like a home away from home.

110
https://www.tumblr.com/search/dorm+room
https://www.tumblr.com/search/dorm+room

In This Article:

Considering how stressful college can be, it's important to surround yourself with a comfortable atmosphere that will help you keep your sanity in times of chaos. Here are 8 cheap ways to make the most out of a bland space.

1. Make the most of your wall space by hanging a tapestry.

https://www.tumblr.com/search/dorm+room+tapestry

Using your walls strategically is one of the most effective ways to bring life to a bland space. However, since dorms have strict rules about how you're permitted to hang things, it can be difficult to know how to decorate without breaking regulations and ending up with out-of-pocket fines.

The easiest way to hang a tapestry without causing damage to the wall's paint is to attach command strips to clothes pins. Amazon is your best friend when it comes to finding an affordable tapestry to add some color and personality to the walls. You can find a number of large, colorful tapestries ranging from $10-$15. It's just a matter of choosing something that compliments your bedding and the rest of your room's desired aesthetic.

2. Glam up a cheap mirror.

https://www.tumblr.com/search/diy+mirror+decor

New mirrors can be expensive. However, there are a number of places that sell used mirrors for ridiculously cheap. Check out local garage sales, thrift shops, and flea markets for a good bargain. If you don't know of any secondhand shops in your area, you can use Facebook marketplace or apps like Letgo to find local deals.

If you're patient and invest a little bit of time, your wallet will thank you later. I was able to find a full sized mirror in my area for just $5.

The mirror doesn't have to be anything extraordinary when you buy it. Part of the fun is personalizing the mirror and making it unique to your tastes. Gluing artificial flowers, colorful stones, or anything else visually appealing can turn the mirror from a cheap buy to a standout piece of your room.

3. Decorate a cork board.

https://www.facebook.com/diycraftshome/photos/p.11...

Transform an old cork board into functional decor by attaching colorful tape, patterned fabric, or artificial flowers. If you don't own a cork board, you can find a generic one on Amazon for around $16 or find an even better deal at a secondhand shop.

You can use the cork board to can hang stray papers during the school year to minimize the amount of clutter on your desk space. You could also use it as a jewelry board to hang and display your necklaces and accessories.

4. Bring some of the outdoors inside to liven up your space.

https://www.tumblr.com/search/painted+plant+pots

Houseplants have been shown to improve air quality, increase productivity, and reduce stress. They're also aesthetically pleasing and look good anywhere.

Check out the list of 25 indoor plants you can't kill to help you decide on which plants to use. It's important that they're low maintenance and don't require copious amounts of sun.

Paint garden pots to fit the aesthetic of you room. Check out Pinterest for inspiration. If you're not artistically inclined, you could plant them into mason jars or just plant them in patterned mugs.

5. Buy an aromatherapy diffuser to add scent and light to your space.

https://www.facebook.com/5minutedeals/photos/p.199...

Using essential oils in a diffuser is a great way to remove odors from the air and improve mental clarity and focus. Do research on popular essential oils and their specific health benefits. Some scents are more suitable for stress relief while others have been shown to increase focus and treat headaches. Pick an essential oil that is right for you and purchase a diffuser that matches the ambience of your room.

Besides just making your room smell incredible, aromatherapy diffusers can add light and style to your space. For just $15.99 on Amazon, you can buy a glowing aromatherapy diffuser with multiple color options.

6. Add prints to your wall.

https://www.tumblr.com/search/dorm+room+photos+on+wall

Find aesthetic prints and hang them to your wall with command strips to add some color and personality to your space. You can find quotes, photos, art, or whatever else you enjoy looking at.

If you enjoy photography, you can use some photos of your own to make it even more personalized and original. You can even frame the photos to make it more bold.

7. Use glass jars to store your toiletries.

https://www.tumblr.com/search/dorm+room+diy

If you have any extra glass jars laying around, make the most of them. Decorate their exterior and use them to store toiletries, pencils, or other small miscellaneous objects. You can use Sharpies, stickers, artificial flowers, ribbon, or anything else that adds color.

8. Hang lights to brighten the space.

https://www.tumblr.com/search/dorm+room+lights

There's a reason that Christmas lights are popular dorm decor. They're cute, cheap, add light, and really stand out in your space.

You can find a regular, cheap string of lights on Amazon for just $11.99. Some lights are shaped like clothes pins and you can use them to hang and display photos of friends and family. Whether you want to hang photos or just stick to the classic lights, you can't go wrong with using Christmas lights as dorm room decor.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
students
Sophia Palmerine

Dear High School Friend Group,

My sweet angels, where would I be without you guys. We all grew up together because we either met in middle school or high school and watched each other grow up and get "old." We got to go to prom together and then graduate together. Then watched each other as we continued our lives in college, joining sororities and meeting people who will impact our lives forever. It all has happened so fast.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

College In Gifs

Because we are all sad Jim Halpert

497
head on desk
Wise GEEK

Oh college, we can’t live with you, but we can’t live without you. It’s a love/hate relationship, really. College is an experience that no one can ever prepare you for, and maybe that’s a good thing. You never really expect any of the things that college encompasses until you are there. College is fun, but don’t have too much fun. C’s get degrees, but they don’t get you into graduate school.

Keep Reading...Show less
Blair Waldorf

The "Gossip Girl" series may be over, but Blair Waldorf's iconic character lives in our hearts forever. Blair was the queen of the Upper East Side, and a character you either loved or hated. She taught us everything we needed to know about life, love and of course, how to score a Chuck Bass. So the next time you feel a bit lost and are in need of guidance, look no further than to the Queen B herself.

As I spend my Sunday avoiding my homework and other adult responsibilities, I realized that I've watched this series over and over about a million times. Sadly, there isn't a Blair quote I don't know, so I came up with a list of a few favorites. You know you love her...xoxo

Keep Reading...Show less
class
Odyssey

College is an endless cycle of crappy, sleepless nights, tedious, boring lectures, and hours of never-ending piles of homework.

Keep Reading...Show less
two women enjoying confetti

Summer: a time (usually) free from school work and a time to relax with your friends and family. Maybe you go on a vacation or maybe you work all summer, but the time off really does help. When you're in college you become super close with so many people it's hard to think that you won't see many of them for three months. But, then you get that text saying, "Hey, clear your schedule next weekend, I'm coming up" and you begin to flip out. Here are the emotions you go through as your best friend makes her trip to your house.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments