Simple Ideas For Decorating Your Dorm Room

We did some quick and simple research about decorating your dorm and found that college students have very differing views. Some of our favorite responses were advice from the guys: "It's a dorm room. Get a Bob Marley poster. Order a pizza. Done." Another treasured response: "Just get an old couch, and cover it with a tablecloth."

If that's you, you can stop reading now.

If you want to decorate your dorm to make an inviting space that lets you relax and hang out with friends, we have ideas for you!

Think of your room as a white box. Most dorms have institutional paint and durable flooring made to handle all types of dorm activities. Basically, it's a boring box!

If you want to be a trendsetter, you could go with one of the 3 most popular dorm colors for 2025: pink, blue and green

PINK

You can go a lot of directions with this color, from boho chic to Barbie bright, pink is a go to color for so many reasons. It pairs well with neutrals or navy. For a classic look consider coordinating with white, black and grey. For a vivid look try green, blue or orange as a contrasting statement. Pastels like light yellow or sage green can give an elegant feel. Pink fabrics we think you will love: Pasqual Berry, Houndstooth Blossom, Piper Shrimp Ticking, Buttons Rosebud

BLUE

The guys have spoken and they love blue! You just cannot go wrong with this color in all its varieties. Navy is popular, but so is a soft blue with neutrals. Blue and white stripe or check can be interesting paired with a colorful print. Blue fabrics that you might consider: Enrique Bahama, Dutchess Lagoon, Wildflower Embroidery Bluebell, Finch Aegean

GREEN

Lighter shades of green can bring a harmonious feel, and green is well known to be a reassuring color--just look outside and see it in all its glory in nature. For a peaceful feeling, coordinate with neutral tones like beige, white and gray. For a more vibrant look, try pink, purple or yellow as a contrasting color. If you want to go au naturelle, how about brown, tan or rust. Green fabrics that you should see: Bombay Kelly, Sultan Seaglass, Spotty Dotty Meadow, Bedford Emerald, 

What can I do to make my dorm room awesome this year?

So let's start with a list of things that can be personalized to your taste:

  • Bedding: sheets, comforter, blanket, pillow sham, throw pillows, bedskirt

  • Windows: draperies, curtains, blackout curtains

  • Furniture: couch, dish chair, bean bag chair, hammock, floor pillows, seat cushions, storage ottomans

  • Floor: throw rugs, area rugs

  • Wall: tapestries, framed art, mirror

Beautify Your Bedding:

Most college dorms have Twin XL beds which are longer than your typical twin bed. Your duvet cover, pillow sham and bedskirt are easy ways to personalize your space. You will want fabrics that are washable which usually means 100% cotton, linens, denims and cotton-polyester blends. Here are some great fabric choices for those: Dodds Crayola, Cameron Pastel, Rio Grande Stripe, New Catalina Ticking Stripe Jet, Dotkat Mineral 11 

Customize Your Curtains:

Curtains and/or draperies are a really simple way to bring life to that boring white wall. We highly recommend blackout lining so that you can get rest when you need it. These fabrics are great choices: Enrique Carnival, Floral Feast, Okay Ombre Lakeside, Outblack Blackout Lining White (PS -We have not yet found a noise-out lining fabric--so consider a white noise machine to help with that.)

Fancify Your Furniture:

Whether you are making a new cover for your dish chair or seat cushion for your dorm desk chair, you have lots of choices that could bring a unique vibe to your space. Here are some of our favorite upholstery fabrics:  Udder Madness Milk, Lennox Indigo, Wonder Soothe, Corsica Snow White, Tyson Ivory Chunky Chenille, Chambord Charcoal, Byron Plaid Raven

Rejuvenate Your Rug:

Don't throw out that old rug. Your rug can come alive with the right trim! You can sew fabric or trim as an edging to bring color or coordination to any rug. Find Great Trims Here

Transform Your Tapestries:

Fabric is a canvas for textile artists, and believe us when we say there are some beautiful fabrics that should be framed! You can also just cut a piece of your fav fabric, edge it, and hang it on the wall. Remember to ask your college if there are rules about hanging tapestries first. If allowed, Command Strips are a great option for hanging art in your dorm room. Check out these works of art: All Eyes On Me, Route 66 Multi, Santa Maria Desert Flower

If you decide to update your dorm room, make sure to check out our "DORM SALE" fabrics by clicking here.

We would love to see any photos of your completed projects! You can email them to info@housefabric.com.