How to Make Your Dorm Room Feel Like a Home

Before I start this post which I had previously written for today I want to mention a few things. My heart is so heavy with what is going on in our world and I honestly feel silly posting about something as trivial as decorating your dorm room. My heart is with all of those hurting and affected by the evils in our country right now. I hear you, I see you, and I will stand by you.

Speaking up is a great first step, but actions speak louder than words and change cannot occur without action. While doing some research with my sister we stumbled across the Uniquely You Summit, a summit held in the greater Philadelphia area with the purpose of empowering young black women through embracing their individuality and learning self-love. When I started this blog just a month ago I wanted it to be a space of positivity, helping all women feel their very best. I really feel passionately about the goals of this summit and feel that they align with many of goals I have for this space. I would love if you would consider donating to it as I am.

So here is the blog post I had written for today…

My biggest concern for my freshman and sophomore year while living in dorms was making my tiny space feel homey. All so often dorms are cold, dark, and bare looking. So it’s really up to you to brighten up the space to make it feel cozy and inviting. These past two years I’ve come up with a couple of tips to make your dorm feel more like a home.

1. Create a Color Scheme and Stick with It

When you are picking a color scheme there are so many routes you can go. I decided to pick a neutral and then use various hues of pink. I centered everything around my Roller Rabbit bedding (which I had eyed up for most of my senior year of high school) because it is so bright and bold. I am obsessed with this bedding (it’s reversible too 🙂 ) and am so sad I probably won’t be able to use it next year because I will likely have a full or queen bed.

If you choose to have solid bedding you definitely can have some more freedom with your color scheme. Sticking to the colors you chose will help your room feel more cohesive and cozy.

2. Invest in Furniture-Like Items

I say furniture-like items because obviously most dorm rooms don’t have the capacity for a full couch or table (Although, mine this year did have enough room for a comfy sofa). It is so common for college students to use plastic drawers for storage, which theres nothing wrong with!! I have a set of plastic drawers I use for storage that are supposed to look woven like a basket. I used them this year in my closet for storage of cleaning supplies, towels, and some kitchen wear.

However, investing in things like this PB Trunk and this ottoman really added a little something to my room. First of all, it makes the room feel warmer than if I just had plastic drawers. Second, they’re seriously put to great use! The trunk fits all of my sweaters and sweatshirts and the ottoman fits most of my shoes and also some scarves. The ottoman has also doubled as a chair for if I have friends over and need extra seating. Last, I will definitely be taking these to my apartment again next year and will likely use them from years to come. So, like I said they’re definitely an investment 🙂

Also, this is really furniture but having a headboard on your bed definitely makes it feel more like a bed in a house. Mine was from Wayfair!

3. Frame It

Another simple thing that makes a huge difference if framing all your pictures or art prints. I am obsessed with Evelyn Henson prints which is where the print I have above my bed of the girl sleeping is from. The other two prints are from Paper Source. Just simply adding a frame adds a little pizzaz. Target has great options.

4. Lighting is Everything

To make a room extra cozy – lighting is key! And typical overhead dorm room lighting is so harsh and fluorescent. My roommate Addison and I would shutter every time it would come on (hi, Addison:) ) So instead we had several lamps to have some softer, homier lighting. Mine are were a Home Goods find!

5. Smells Like Home

Another way to cozy up your lighting is candles everywhere (clearly I am such a rule breaker…)! My favorite candles forever and always is Capri Blue Volcano from Anthropologie but I also love White Barn’s Rose Water and Ivy .

Something else I’ve recently gotten into, which I didn’t have in my room this year at school but definitely will be bring next year is a diffuser. They make your room smell so good and are really soothing.

6. Decorative Drapes

Drapes really do make a difference in making a room feel more homey. Its really easy if you just use an extendable rod to keep it secure, it honestly works better than command hooks (which we tried first but it kept falling down). Our light and airy drapes were also a Home Goods find.

7. A Cozy Carpet

Now this is key. If you want friends to come hang out in your room get a fluffy rug because they will lay on your floor and talk for hours.

8. Create an Inspiration Board

Something I decided to do this year was create and inspiration board to put above my desk. I compiled images from Pinterest that I thought were beautiful with inspiration quotes or song lyrics. I had so much fun doing this! Again, stick to a color scheme 🙂 I do wish I framed it with a simple gold frame though! I still have the Pinterest board I used to create this, I’ll link it here if you want to re-create this board.

9. Bring Some Sentimental Items & Don’t be Ashamed!

If you zoom in on the picture of my bed you will see my small, pink stuffed elephant, Ellie. I have had her since I was a baby and yes, she has come to college for both my freshman and sophomore year and no, I have no shame. You can make fun of me all you want but I love my ‘lil elephant 🙂

10. Have the Best Roomies in the World

Last but not least having the best roomies in the world makes all the difference. I will love our little Dogwood Hall family forever. XOXO