Get Creative: Dorm Room Decorating Ideas

Living in a dorm doesn't have to mean giving up expressing yourself. There are plenty of ways you can creatively decorate your college dorm to add personality and style to your new space on a budget.

As you're planning to make your dorm room at Hocking College your new home, consider these 10 affordable, dorm-friendly decorating ideas. 

1. Incorporate Color With Bedding

Your bed will be the focal point of your room, so it should reflect your personality. Use brightly colored blankets, pillows and sheets to add a pop of color and texture to your dorm. 

2. Add Ambiance With Lighting

While your dorm will come with overhead lighting already in place, those lights can be bright and fluorescent. Invest in a simple desk or floor lamp for times when you want your room to be more relaxing and calm. 

3. Buy Bed Risers

Don't let the space under your bed go to waste. Use bed risers to add height to that area of your room, and store shoes and extra clothes under your bed in plastic bins without sacrificing floor space on a dresser. 

4. Hang Artwork With Command Strips

Just because you can't use nails on your walls doesn't mean they have to look boring. Command strips are strong enough for even framed artwork and won't damage your walls. Stock up on them as you're preparing for your move in, and hang art and posters to make your space feel more personal. 

5. Make a Statement With a Tapestry

Tapestries are an affordable way to make a bold statement. They're often large enough to take up a whole wall and can add color and life to a dorm. Try looking for one online, or tie dye a white sheet with some friends for a bright and custom tapestry. 

Ready to move into your dorm? Download the guide to dorm living here. 

6. Organize With Over-the-Door Storage

Over-the-door organizers aren't just for shoes. Use these versatile storage solutions for toiletries and cosmetics, clothes and office supplies to keep your surfaces clutter free. 

7. Liven Your Space With Greenery

Just one plant in your dorm can bring it to life. Invest in your favorite flower (like easy-to-care-for orchids) or succulents to add color and interest in your room. They can also keep your air smelling fresh. 

8. Add Closet Space With Pop Tabs

Double your closet space with a simple soda can tab trick. Also consider hanging your pants if you're short on drawer space. 

9. Turn Your Photos Into Artwork

Hang yarn or string lights on your walls and clip your Instagram photos to them with clothes pins. It's a great way to add light, art and a personal touch to your dorm for less than $10. You can even paint the clothespins for added color and detail. 

10. Stick to a Color Theme

Because dorms are usually smaller than an apartment, it can be easy for them to look cluttered once you move all your things in. To avoid feeling cramped, stick to a simple color scheme that uses only one or two main colors.

This helps your space look less busy and more open. Also consider using light colors, which make a space feel bigger than dark colors like plum, black and navy. 

College can be stressful, so be sure to use these dorm room decorating ideas to help make your space enjoyable.