Dorm Room Decorating Ideas
Looking for some great ways to turn your dorm room into a cozy, comfortable home away from home? We asked students at Carthage College for their best decorating and space-saving tips and ideas. Get inspired by the photos below and make your dream dorm room a reality.
12 tips on Decorating a College Dorm Room
1. Save space by playing with possible layouts
Carthage students often arrange their beds in an “L” shape or bunk beds to create more room. “We bunked our beds for maximum space in the room,” explains Amanada Cieczka ’28, who coordinated the setup with her roommate. “Because of this, we have room for a super comfy futon with an amazing fuzzy rug.”
2. Start with the big stuff
Arranging your large furniture pieces first helps establish the layout and flow of your room, making it easier to organize smaller items around them. “The first thing I did when I moved in was move all the big furniture first and went down a list from there, with decorating last,” says Morgan Garst ’27.
3. Choose a color scheme or theme
Picking colors that resonate with your interests can make your room feel more personal and welcoming. Madeline Lucci ’26, who carefully selected a palette inspired by her favorite place and hues, explains her style: “I based my decoration off of a blue and beach theme. I love the beach. It is one of my favorite places, and my favorite color is blue. I also decided to add gold as an accent color!”
4. Organize your space with extra storage
Maximizing storage is essential in a dorm room where every inch counts. Incorporate practical solutions like shoe racks, bins, key hooks, door hangers, and under-bed containers to keep your belongings neat and accessible. Madison Felgenhauer ’26 emphasizes the importance of being well-prepared. “Bring lots of storage bins and other organizational supplies,” she advises.
5. Coordinate decor with your roommate
Planning your decor with your roommate can strengthen your friendship and create a harmonious living space. “My roommate and I coordinated our color scheme over the summer as a fun way to get to know each other better, ” says Ellie Pavletich ’27. “We ended up going with light pink and sage green, which are our two favorite colors. We went shopping for posters together as a way to make our sides look more similar.”
6. Prepare your room to host visitors
Creating a welcoming space in your dorm can make it easier to connect with new friends and build lasting relationships. “Everyone should have an ottoman as extra seating for friends,” advises Destiny Garcia ’28.
7. Bring yourself — your family, your culture, your passions — into your space
Born in Belgrade, Serbia, Marija Mahorcic ’27 decorated her room with a national flag and other cultural items. “I really bring my culture out with my traditional Serbian dance objects and my Serbian flag.”
8. Decorate your walls
Personalize your dorm room by hanging photos, band posters, or inspirational quotes on your walls. “Fill up empty wall space! Oftentimes, the room will end up looking blank no matter what bed or desk decor you end up using,” says Avery Peters ’27.
9. Highlight what makes you unique
Decorating with meaningful items can turn your room into a reflection of your experiences. Madison Bazylewicz ’26 filled her space with personal treasures that tell her story: “I love each piece of decor because everything has a story and showcases my personality — from the little trinkets from my J-Term trip to Japan to the artwork from the Pacific Northwest.”
10. Make your bed comfortable
Add blankets, pillows, and stuffed animals to make your bed especially cozy. “The throw pillows make my room feel homey every day when I set my bed! They are also versatile because they fill the space behind my bed when I go to sleep,” Madeline Bandomir ’27 says.
11. Liven up your room with plants
Bring the outside indoors with hanging leaves or potted plants. “Our dorm has a lot of leaves and real plants; it gives it a nice cozy and homey feel,” says Samantha Vonbernewitz ’27. “We call our room the jungle, and everyone on our floor refers to it as that too. We love it!”
12. Consider rugs or fun lights
Rugs are a great way to add color to your dorm room. You can also elevate the mood of your room with different lights. “Our favorite part about our room is the ambience,” Marisa Pacocha ’26 says. “The lights give it a warm touch — our normal lights are almost never on!”