Gender, personal style and your interests are all important when choosing dorm room decor. College rules about what you can and can't do to a dorm rule also should be considered. You may want to start by getting some ideas for the basics — bed coverings, pillows, chairs, posters and storage bins. From there, you can begin building a dorm room look that fits your budget and your personality.
If you are living in a college dormitory, then the first step is to check out the guidelines. Your college or university probably has rules for furniture or what you can put on the walls and how they can be attached. It also may be a good idea to take note of what is not included in your room. Bedside lamps and area rugs, for example, are not usually furnished but can go a long way to making the room more comfortable.
Choices for your dorm room decor are only limited by your imagination. You can play it safe by creating a theme or using colors that mesh. If you are creative, you can come up with a look that mixes a variety of patterns, colors and styles.
Dorm room decor is often geared toward gender. Popular choices for males include sports team themes or dark colors, including deep red, brown or navy blue. Female dorm decor leans toward soft pastels, feminine prints and bright hues such as hot pink or purple. Other decor is not gender specific. A minimalist style with neutral colors, for example, is suitable for both genders.
Decorating your dorm gives you the chance to create a theme that reflects your style or personality. One way to do this is to select posters, pillows and other decorative items related to your interests. Sports, technology, animals and virtually any kind of hobby are just a few examples of themes you can use to decorate your room.
Discount department stores and thrift stores have dorm room decor items that can work with a tight budget. These stores often sell bedding sets with everything included in one package. They also have items such as lamps, rugs, pillows and drapery that coordinate with the bedding. This is an easy way to create a dorm room look without traveling to many stores.
A bigger budget can accommodate the dorm room decor in department stores. Upscale bedding sold in department stores often features luxury or plush fabrics. It also may carry the brand name of a well-known designer.
For a college dorm, functionality is important. If you need extra storage, then you may want to consider storage bins that fit under your bed or coordinate with the colors in your room. You also can buy desktop items that complement your dorm room’s theme.
Dorms tend to be small, meaning there might be limits on how much you can decorate. Larger dorms will probably be able to accommodate extra items such as small chairs or bookcases, while a smaller dorm might not. While calculating how much space you might have, you also may want to take into consideration whether you will have one or more roommates. They also will need somewhere to put their things and likely will want a say in the decorating.