Best Dorm Room Decorating Ideas

woman wrapped in blanket using laptop in dorm room

Stocksy

While last year saw universities scrambling to make remote and hybrid learning work in light of the ongoing pandemic, this fall should be a welcome departure.

Many colleges and universities have rolled out plans for increased on-campus presence for the fall 2021 semester. Although vaccine requirements, mask-wearing, and social distancing guidelines will likely be prevalent for the school year to come, the experience of dorm living may be nearing what it once was. And as the season quickly approaches to start looking for new gear, the time to shop for dorm room ideas is now.

For incoming campus-bound freshmen, furnishing your dorm room is pretty much a crash course in small-space, communal living. And since it's a space you'll be making a lot of memories in, making sure you've got the best organizing products and decorative touches is an essential way to make it feel instantly like home. These 50 dorm room ideas will help you outfit your new digs and get you settled right into college life.

Want to build your own stand-up desk? Learn how by joining Pop Mech Pro!

Get The Step-By-Step Plans

1 of 50

BESTEK Power Outlet Strip

You and your roommate will be clamoring for the little space that you have, so make sure that you can safely share the outlets with a surge protector power strip.

This circular model includes six outlets and four USB ports, and its cord extends up to 6 feet long.

More: The Best Laptops for College Students

2 of 50

RUUF 3-Inch Twin XL Mattress Topper

When you have to make it to an 8 a.m. lab, leave nothing to chance. This reviewer-favorite, memory-foam topper adds a generous 3 inches to your dorm-issued mattress, making it a much dreamier place to crash.

3 of 50

Renata Over-The-Bed Storage Shelf

Urban Outfitters urbanoutfitters.com

$299.00

This genius dorm room idea from Urban Outfitters conveniently fits behind your twin (or queen-sized) bed frame, offering two extra shelves of storage.

Put anything from artwork to plants to books up here, adding even more personality to your space. We like the aesthetic combination of the sculpted brass-colored bars and mango wood.

4 of 50

Seville Classics Foldable Storage Ottoman

Seville Classics amazon.com

$24.37

When it comes to decorating your dorm room for maximum efficiency, use every small-space hack you can find. We love finding seats that double as storage, which is why this foldable, quilted-top ottoman is such a great dorm room idea (at a reasonable price, too!).

5 of 50

Brooklinen Classic Move-In Bundle

Brooklinen brooklinen.com

$425.00

Don't cut corners when it comes to your bedding comfort. You'll likely be sleeping on the same sheets for the duration of your college career, so spring for a set that'll only get better with time instead of one that starts pilling before the first semester ends.

Brooklinen's 270-thread-count, percale bedding is smooth, lightweight, and washes well without shrinking. This aptly named Move-In Bundle also comes with a down-alternative comforter, a duvet cover, and extra pillowcases.

6 of 50

Hülya Polar Cooling Adjustable Memory Foam Pillow

Make your bed one incredibly chill place by getting this cooling memory-foam pillow from Hülya. It truly lives up to the "polar" in its name: The outer cover is very cool to the touch, feeling so refreshing every time your head makes contact with it.

The shredded memory foam inside is also quite malleable and a bit looser than other memory-foam pillows. While it doesn't have the super puffed-up look of similar pillows, this type's lower loft helps keep the neck in better alignment.

7 of 50

LVSOMT Full Length Mirror

Every living space needs a full-length mirror. This over-the-door pick is worth going halfsies on with your roommate, as it's a simple, sleek, thin-frame design, and you'll both get lots of daily use out of it.

8 of 50

Sofia + Sam Multitasking Memory-Foam Lap Desk

Sofia + Sam staples.com

$75.59

The Sofia + Sam lap desk is a dorm room idea that helps you work comfortably from any seated position. It's fully loaded with useful features, such as an attachable USB light that can plug into a built-in port or directly into your laptop.

Unlike other lap desks that feature wobbly bean-bag-like bottoms, this one is made of cushy yet stable memory foam that won't easily move around while you work. Added bonus: Its extendable side surface, two device slots, and ergonomic wrist bar that's ideal for hours of typing.

9 of 50

Jerrybox Vanity Organizer

Jerrybox amazon.com

$18.39

Instead of rifling through your cosmetic case every day, give this make-up organizer a spin. Not only does it rotate 360 degrees, but it includes removable partitions that accommodate different-sized products, so you can adjust it as your beauty routine expands.

10 of 50

Intelligent Design Azza Floor Pillow

Intelligent Design kohls.com

$47.99

No couch? No problem! Available in a spectrum of calming colors, these velvety floor pillows are great to have on hand when hosting a TV night in your dorm room. They'll ensure that everyone has a spot to sit. It also doesn't hurt that these picks ring up at under $50!

11 of 50

CeSunlight Clip-On Reading Light

CeSunlight amazon.com

$14.99

If you hate overhead lighting, you'll want to get a clip-on light. This gooseneck-style clip-on lamp is perfect for attaching to your desk or headboard to set a calmer mood in the dorm.

Its lamp head holds 10 LEDs, and you can flip between two brightness modes and three color temperatures. We also like that it comes in black or white.

12 of 50

Steklo X-Stand Laptop Stand

Do your wrists a favor and get this foldable laptop stand before your first term paper is due. The aluminum Steklo X-Stand weighs less than 6 ounces and folds up to a slim 6 inches long, so you can easily stash it away when you're done using it.

13 of 50

TCL 32-inch 1080p Roku Smart LED TV

How will you be able to host TV-watching parties without a sleek monitor? If you're looking for a high-quality, reasonably priced TV that's small enough to take with you as you move dorms each year, this smart, Roku-equipped LED TV is a must-have for modern college living.

It also has three HDMI jacks, when most other TVs in the same price range only have two.

14 of 50

DAYBETTER LED Strip Lights

Wondering where to get those cool LED lights that have been blowing up your TikTok feed? Look no further.

This 32-foot-long light strand adheres to your wall, so you can border your walls or surround your doorway, closet, or TV with their bright rainbow glow. You can use the included remote to program or change your light scheme to a variety of different colors and patterns.

15 of 50

Artificial Fiddle Leaf Fig Tree

BESAMENATURE amazon.com

$37.90

Greenery can make any space feel way more laid-back, but in case your school has limitations on bringing real plants into the dorm, prevent the risk of getting written up by bringing this cute faux fiddle-leaf fig tree instead.

It's just a little over 30 inches tall and comes in its own woven planter basket. Plus, you'll never need to worry about your roommate overwatering it.

16 of 50

Microfiber Bath Rug

H.VERSAILTEX amazon.com

$15.79

If you're living in a suite with its own shower, make sure you get a bath mat that's machine-washable — otherwise, things will get funky fast.

We like this soft microfiber mat because not only is it simple and easy to clean, but its nubby texture feels so nice underfoot.

17 of 50

Sinjimoru iPhone Dock

Sinjimoru amazon.com

$14.99

We love the softened, blobby shape of this iPhone dock, and you'll certainly get plenty of use out of it as a dorm room desk accessory. It's made from silicone and comes in black, gray, or white, includes a charging cable, and holds your phone at a 15-degree angle for watching videos or having FaceTime calls.

18 of 50

Allover Fruits Shower Curtain

Urban Outfitters urbanoutfitters.com

$39.00

So you're living the suite life, eh? If your in-dorm shower requires a curtain, this cotton one is peachy keen. Over 200 reviewers love the sunny, cheerful pop of color it gives to a bathroom.

19 of 50

STORi Clear Plastic Vanity and Desk Drawer Organizers

How do you tell an organized dorm from one that's just faking it? Open up the drawers. If every drawer is just a dumping place for junk, they're not being used to their full organization potential.

These clear plastic drawer organizers are a great way to help compartmentalize smaller items (like makeup, desk items, and small gadgets) so that they can be easily located.

20 of 50

Magnetic 11-Inch Poster Hanger Frame

Take good care of your posters and prints by hanging them neatly with this hanger frame. Able to hold 11-inch-wide pieces, its minimalist, magnetic borders look much nicer than tacking or taping things up.

21 of 50

Elfa Platinum Mesh Medium Start-A-Stack

Container Store containerstore.com

$154.99

If your dorm provides wide-open closet space, take full advantage by getting this master organizer. This four-drawer unit is made of see-through steel mesh, and it can hold delicates, sweaters, accessories, or off-season items much more stylishly than plastic bins can.

It's a dorm room idea that you won't ditch upon graduation, as it'll work in an apartment just as seamlessly.

22 of 50

Wekapo Inflatable Lounger Air Sofa

Take advantage of the nice weather while you have it by packing this inflatable lounge chair for an afternoon of reading on the quad. It's ideal for dorm living because, when deflated, it takes up virtually zero space — don't forget to get one for your roomie, too!

23 of 50

Rumi Shag Throw Pillow

Urban Outfitters urbanoutfitters.com

$49.00

It seems like all of the cutest dorm rooms have shaggy, tasseled throw pillows tucked in every corner. These add a casual, cozy feel and come in five different colors, so you're sure to find one that coordinates with your aesthetic.

24 of 50

U Brands Magnetic Monthly Calendar Dry Erase Board

U Brands amazon.com

$18.77

Keep your assignments, exams, and social activities mapped out at a glance with this genius dry-erase board. The monthly layout is flexible and allows you to easily plan your days without overbooking yourself. It comes with a marker and one magnet to help get you started.

25 of 50

Bed Risers with Power Outlet and USB Ports

HOLDN' STORAGE amazon.com

In a small space, maximize all of the underbed storage that you can. These 7-inch-high bed risers give your bed a boost and let you fit even more stuff underneath. This set comes with one plug-in riser that can power up your devices within an arm's reach.

26 of 50

HOLMES Heritage 4-Inch Mini USB Desk Fan

Yes, you need a mini desk fan! Keep the air circulating as you work, sleep, or microwave questionable leftovers in your dorm — all without annoying your roommate. This USB-powered fan is touted for being quiet, cute, and suitable for daily use.

27 of 50

Caldrea Linen and Room Spray Air Freshener

Caldrea amazon.com

$12.72

In a college dorm, an air freshener is your friend. This one from Caldrea smells lightly woody and herbal, not overly floral — and it's perfect for spritzing around your room to make it smell cleaner than it actually is. This considerable 16-fluid-ounce bottle is also sure to last you quite a while.

28 of 50

Koxly Globe String Lights

Home is where the string lights are. This 49-foot strand of 100 LEDs will give you more than enough length to light up your entire space. Even better: They're remote-controlled, so you don't have to go fishing for the outlet to unplug them.

29 of 50

If You Had To Party Game

Drunk Stoned or Stupid macys.com

$16.00

Friends don't let friends have boring hangouts. Having this card game on hand will definitely break the ice.

In this game, all of the 250 playing cards depict a ridiculous or gross scenario. The object with each round is to choose which one of the five cards in your hand depicts the most unsavory situation. The rotating judge grants a point to the player who succeeds in grossing them out the most. Also, the more players, the better!

30 of 50

NEWCOSPLAY Super-Soft Throw Blanket

NEWCOSPLAY amazon.com

$15.99

Whether you use it as a bedding layer or for cuddling up during movie night, this fuzzy fleece throw blanket adds some extra comfort to your new home away from home. In addition to this lavender hue, it comes in 24 different colors.