Budget-Friendly Dorm Room Decor Ideas
Moving to a new dorm soon? Aside from coming up with college packing list, there’s one thing you need to get ready for before you leave home: dressing up your dorm room.
Decorating your room will make it feel like home, keeping you from being homesick. Your home away from home isn’t as homey as it should be if it’s just bare and not lively at all. So why don’t you add a touch of your personality to your pad? Doing so will not cost you a lot, as you can bring some items from home to your dorm room instead of buying new ones.
Here are 10 inexpensive decor ideas that can transform your dorm room from dull to interesting:
Fill Your Room with Printed Photos
Photo by kris krüg / CC BY- NC-ND 2.0
Do you keep printed or Instax photos of your family and friends? Post on your wall the photos of your loved ones (human and furry)—anyone who cheer for you back home—to keep yourself inspired as you go through the academic year.
You can try other creative ways to display pictures in your dorm room. For instance, you can create and display a personalized desktop or top hanging calendar that features photos of your family or college friends. You can even have your selfie calendar!
Bring Some Stuff From Home 
Photo by ღ ℂℏ℟ḯʂ ღ / CC BY 2.0
Instead of buying new decors for your dorm room, you can save money by bringing along some items from your house. Having these things will definitely make your dorm room feel like home.
Use Dreamy String Lights 
Photo by Nataly A / CC BY-NC-ND 2.0
String lights can turn a dull and dark room into something dreamy and calming. It’s what college students like to come home to, especially after a long and stressful day in school. There are different fun DIY string light designs you can choose from.
Use Colorful Throw Pillows 
Photo by Kristina Werner / CC BY-NC-ND 2.0
Colorful throw pillows add a cozy ambiance and interesting look to your room. They also add a dash of comfort for when your classmates stay over for group study and de-stressing before your scheduled major exams.
Throw in Some Bean Bags 
Photo by Megan Rosembloom / CC BY-NC 2.0
Do your friends often sleep over in your dorm room? Bean bags will make your friends comfortable during movie nights and group study sessions. Get colorful bean bags to add some color to your room, especially if it has light-colored walls.
Use Colorful Comforters 
Photo by Taber Andrew Bain / CC BY 2.0
Perk up your bed and get a good night’s sleep with a comforter in bold colors. Sound sleep often results in better academic performance, so it’s definitely worth it.
Add Style to Your Shelf 
A plain shelf is boring. Add some color to it by putting washi tape on its edges or painting it with lively colors that complement your walls. For an added texture, you can create cute handmade doilies in different shapes and color, and then attach them to your shelf.
Add Striking Wall Decals 
Photo by yaili / CC BY-NC 2.0
If pictures and posters aren’t enough to jazz up your room, stick some decals on a wall. Decals in black and white add a sophisticated touch to your room, while colorful ones suggest playfulness.
Put in Something Green and Growing
Brighten up your room by growing some indoor plants like cactus and succulents, which are easy to care for. Just place your plants on the windowsill for sunlight exposure.
Having a well-decorated room will not only keep you from missing home but also help you perform better at school. So make time for personalizing your home away from home.