How To Organize And Decorate Your Dorm Room

By Sherrie Le Masurier

I’m looking for some creative ways to decorate and organize my dorm room. Do you have any dorm room decorating and organizing ideas that are inexpensive and easy to implement?

First of you’ll want to consider your bedding and storage needs and then personalize your space with some fun dorm room decor ideas.

Since your bed is the largest piece of furniture you’ll have in your dorm room it will also get the most use so having a comforter that hides small stains is always best and if you do need to wash it periodically a quality comforter will stand the test of time and get you through the school year with no problem.

Solid colored comforters are also a wise choice since they give you a great launch pad for other dorm room décor accessories like patterned throw cushions and matching lampshades and window treatments. Please note that when buying bedding, you’ll want to keep in mind that most dorm rooms have extra long beds and regular twin sheets may be too short. To be safe side, purchase extra long twin sheets. Most major bedding department stores like Target, Bed, Bath & Beyond, Home Outfitters, Home Sense or Linens' N' Things carry a variety of sheet sizes.

When it comes to organizing and storage, purchasing a set of bed risers is your best bet. Four cement blocks will also create the space you need to store your luggage, extra clothes, books etc.

Stacking plastic crates beside your desk or in your closet is a great idea. Since plastic crates come in a variety of colors you should be able to find ones that match your dorm room decorating theme.

A wire storage system is also a great way to organize your dorm room. With such a system you can assemble you own crates and then have the option of dismantling them and reorganizing them later if you desire.

Consider closet organizers and inexpensive plastic hooks for additional clothing and accessory storage.

If you have an open closet, consider putting up a fabric or shower curtain (with a simple dowel assembly) that coordinates with your comforter. Not only will a curtain hide dirty laundry but it also personalizes your corner of the dorm room.

When it comes to dorm room decorating posters are one of the best budget-friendly ways to decorate. You my want to check into purchasing a formulated poster adhesive from a decorating store that will allow you to hang posters without damaging any painted walls.

To save even more money check into whether your college or university holds a poster sale at the beginning of the year.

If you like to draw, unleash your inner artist and create you own work of art on your walls using a sheet of butcher paper and pastels or simply use some colored chalk and go wild! Since chalk easily washes off most surfaces you can be as creative as you want without damaging your walls.

Another great idea is to string up a laundry line of artwork or photos using clips or suction cups on each end.

Speaking of photos, frames are a great addition to your dorm room décor. Check out thrift shops and dollar stores for a fun variety of frames to house photos of family members and long distance friends. Don’t go over board though as desk or bureau space will be at a premium.

If your dorm room has any metal surfaces such as a closet door or bar fridge use magnetic cut outs and letters to add a little decorative flair.

One other thing you may want to consider is installing a dry erase board on the exterior of your dorm room to enhance communication with your friends. If you have a room mate or simply in the habit of leaving yourself reminder notes consider posting a second dry erase board inside your dorm room. You might also want to purchase a dry erase calendar to keep track of your schedule.

A bulletin board is also an important element in dorm room decorating, you can paint a plain bulletin board to match your walls or you can design your own memo board using a strong cork board covered with a coordinating fabric and crisscrossing some ribbon to help secure your mementos.

Finally you’ll want to make sure that you have practical lighting. A desk lamp for late-night studying is a must have. Other dorm room decorating lighting ideas include stringing mini-lights from corner to corner in your dorm room. Adding this kind of accent lighting will complement your dorm room decor. To a make a statement you could also go with colored lights in funky shapes like stars, half moons or hearts.