Next Up

65 Chic & Functional Dorm Room Decorating Ideas

By: Kayla Kitts, Chelsea Faulkner, and Molly Miller

Don't let small, shared quarters cramp your style. Turn your college dorm room into a stylish and efficient space ideal for studying and relaxing with these fresh decorating ideas.

Price and stock could change after publish date, and we may make money off these affiliate links. Learn more.

1 / 66

Dress Up Your Dorm Room

Going away to college can be scary — especially when your new "home" is a drab dorm room. Transform your school-issued living quarters into a haven with our best dorm room decorating tips. Personalize your dorm with our wall art ideas, bedding picks, lighting ideas and more. Then, keep your space tidy with must-have dorm organizers and college kitchen essentials.

2 / 66

Photo: Evin Photograhy

Go Boho-Chic

Stylist and mom Jenny Reimold transformed her daughter's dark and gloomy dorm room into a bright and cozy bohemian-style retreat. Talk about a glow-up! Snag her smart tips and DIY decorating hacks below to recreate the look in your own college living space.

3 / 66

Think Multifunctional, Compact + Mobile

When buying furniture for a dorm room or small college living space, the smartest thing you can do is choose pieces that are multifunctional. A futon is the perfect example: it's a sofa by day but an instant full bed by night. Another solution? Storage ottomans which serve double duty as a slim stool and concealed storage.

buy it

Tall and Small Houseplants Sit Beside Bookshelf in Apartment

4 / 66

Photo: Stephanie Diani

Adopt a Plant (or Two)

Nothing adds instant style to a space quite like plants. Low-light, indoor-friendly varieties like the snake plant seen here will thrive on the smallest amount of TLC. But if you absolutely don't trust your plant parent instincts, go faux with realistic-looking greenery you never have to water.