Getting into college is what most of the students in school look forward to due to many reasons. However, they later realise that along with freedom and personal space, they get into college, there are certain challenges too. As a student, you may have to shift from one place to another in search of a comfortable home-like space. It could also be challenging to organize everything within a limited space and resources. However, with proper guidance and help, one can easily decorate their room to make a positive space for studying as well as for enjoying. This article shares 13 creative tips to decorate your college room with smart planning.
13 Creative Ways to Decorate a College Room
Choose a Color Theme for the Room
Start the process of room decor by choosing a color palette to set the tone and understand the vibe of the room. Sticking to a single color palette, whether a bold, rainbow colored theme or a more minimal coordinated theme, will help in bringing harmony in a small space. It is important to choose a color theme first and then pick decor pieces, be it the wall art, desk accessories, rugs, or the bedding to match your room’s theme. Everything should complement the color theme of the room. A cohesive color scheme brings a fresh, stylish, and organized feel to the room.
Make a Creative Gallery Wall
Create an aesthetic gallery wall to make your college room stand out. Make Polaroid images of your memorable moments with your closed ones and stick them to the wall. If you are bored with usual posters or photos, go for something more personal and different. Many students use street signs, postcards, or even handwritten notes. You can also hang small pictures of the places you want to travel across the world, photos of your favourite music album, and musicians. This creative approach will make your dorm room look like a little personal art gallery.
Organize Your Clothes on a Clothing Rack
Hanging clothes on a clothing rack is one of the creative ways of turning a storage area into a classy and trending decor style. Rather than keeping your favourite outfits in a corner of a closet, organize them neatly on a sleek and minimalistic rack. This will reduce the time consumed in searching for that one favourite piece of clothing when you are in a hurry.
Bringing a clothing rack will not only make the outfits easily accessible but also work as a decor piece. Make sure to choose a rack that goes well with your aesthetics, whether modern or vintage, to have a cohesive decor theme.
Bring Greenery
Bringing greenery is one of the most natural ways of decorating a dorm room. An indoor plant, whether real or faux, can immediately make any space feel fresher, positive, and welcoming with its presence. Plants bring calmness to the room and make dorm furniture feel refreshing.
There are trailing vines to hang behind the headboard and small potted succulents to place on the study table. There are many colorful leafy plants that one can use in an empty corner for aesthetic purposes. Indoor plants are not used just for decor purposes; they also enhance the air you breathe and instantly bring positivity while studying.
Add Fancy Lights
Fancy decorative lights are commonly used by many students who live alone, whether in a dorm or a separate room. It is another one of the most creative ways of decorating a room. If you are tired of harsh overhead lighting, try lamps, fairy lights, or LED strips to create a warm, welcoming vibe.
Many students use the trending style of hanging their name above the bed with lights in neon colors, mainly pink and purple. It works as a major centerpiece of a room.
Bring in Rugs for the Floor
Adding rugs to the decor checklist can be one of the most creative decisions one can make. It helps in elevating the overall feel of a dorm room. Purchase an easy-to-clean rug that will reduce the cleaning hours and also bring warmth underfoot. You can either cover the entire floor for a bold, strong appearance or use a simple and affordable small one under the center table.
Small rugs can be placed near the bed so that they work as a comfortable landing spot every time you get out of bed. Choose a machine-washable rug to avoid extra effort in cleaning spills or stains. There are multiple options available to match the aesthetics of your room.
Bedside Storage Cabinet
Many students use bedside storage cabinets, as it is one of the smart ways to incorporate style with functionality in a college dorm room. It works as one of the most practical solutions for people living in small spaces. It comes with ample space on the surface for placing a lamp, alarm clock, phone, or wallet, and even a photo frame of your loved ones.
You can store your personal items like snacks, books, or electronics in the cabinet to make the space look clean and clutter-free. Cabinets with elevated storage drawers underneath perfectly complement the majority of dorm beds. This is an ideal choice for budget-conscious students as it is an affordable investment.
Aesthetic Accessory Box
Due to limited space in the dorm room, it becomes challenging to organize small accessories like hair ties, pins, or rings. Therefore, buy an accessory box that works as a storage solution and also a creative decor element. The box can be placed in the room or in the bathroom. If you like collecting jewelry, then buy a glass-textured jewelry holder. Its compact size will bring a royal and vintage vibe if placed on a dresser or a storage cabinet.
Apart from jewelry, you can also store different items like skincare or stationery items in the accessory box. It comes in different colors and materials to match your desired aesthetics.
Use Stone Diffuser
If your dorm has strict rules and restrictions for using open flames and you miss the vibe of candles and their fragrance, a stone diffuser can work as a rescue. Buy a stone diffuser that fills the room with aroma and also serves as a chic decor item for a small room. There are many modern-looking stone diffusers available in sculptural and minimalist designs.
It is the stylish way of upgrading a room’s interior. Apart from that, it fills the entire room with a relaxing fragrance that helps you be focused while studying and relaxed while sleeping. Many diffusers come with adjustable ambient lights that bring warmth and glow, transforming a normal-looking room into a cozy space.
Curtains
Adding curtains may sound like a very common creative decor idea, but it completely transforms the look and feel of a room. The right curtains can turn a dull room into a bright, inviting space. A set of simple colored curtains will bring a calm vibe to the room and easily allow natural light to flow in gently when you wake up for your class in the early morning. It also works to maintain privacy.
Curtains are one of the affordable decor ideas. You can choose pastel tones for curtains to bring a calm and minimal feel or go for darker tones for a bold feel. Remember, the color theme you choose will show your interest; hence, choose your curtains wisely.
Mirror
The majority of students use stylish mirrors in their rooms, as they make the space look bigger and brighter. A bigger mirror creates the illusion of more space. One of the smart ways of making a small room appear bigger is by placing a large mirror against one wall to make the space feel visually taller and more spacious.
If taking care of a large mirror will be hectic, then you can also go for a set of small mirrors in different shapes to create a wall art effect. You can hang a long mirror in front of a window so that the natural light reflects back, and make the space look fresh and big.
Wall Painting
If the dorm rules permit, you can transform the plain, boring walls into a new haven by painting them creatively. If you like a minimal vibe, then go for standard off-white or normal white walls. If not, then you are open to experimenting with colors, different design patterns, or using a stick on wallpaper. Walls with pastel shades will bring an ancient and vintage vibe to the room, whereas the new geometric or graphic designs will add a modern touch to the dorm room.
You can choose block paintings, abstract paintings, or print the entire wall in multiple colors using DIY. Make sure to explore as many design options as possible and match them with the room’s aesthetic so that the final result complements the entire room.
Knit Blankets
Only a few things provide the warmth and comfort that you need after your everyday classes, and one of them is a knit blanket. It is a simple, budget-friendly way to maintain a chic look. It’s perfect for a relaxing nap after a hectic day.
Knit blankets can be paired with similar colored pillows and used as a statement piece. If your entire room has a dark theme, like dark colored curtains, cabinets, and furniture, then go for a light shade knit blanket for contrast. On the other hand, a room with a minimal and light colored theme should have a dark colored knit blanket to maintain a balanced and modern style in a room.
Style Your Room Wisely!
A room is not merely about studying and resting, but also the way you decorate it, as it reflects your sense of styling. It is equally important to maintain a perfect balance between functionality and style. Therefore, by using these 13 unique and creative ideas, one can transform their normal room into a favourite place ever.