Tips To Decorate A Dorm Room | Designer Insights With Melanie Ewing

Posted by Melanie Ewing on Jul 29th 2022

Tips To Decorate A Dorm Room

Whether we've experienced it ourselves or heard second hand, we know the frustration of living in a dorm room and how uncomfortable the furniture can be. Chances are, we now know someone else getting ready for this adventure for either their first time away or another year at college. While parents or siblings won't be around to help decorate and make that little corner of the world feel like home, one thing that can make you feel at home is focusing on the furniture. Since a dorm room is going to be home for the next year or so, it needs to be functional as well as comfortable. Put some thought into how you want your new space to look. It makes all the difference in making sure your space is both inviting and livable, while also making sure that everything has its place. To help you create a comfortable and cozy place, decorate your space by starting at the foundation of your room - the furniture!

A dorm room should be stylish and inviting!

When you decorate your dorm room, it’s important to choose furniture that both suits your taste and allows you to be comfortable. If you want your dorm room to be an inviting space, you should choose furniture that compliments the space without taking away from the room itself. If you’re not sure where to start, think about the types of things that make you feel cozy, happy or relaxed. Once you have an idea of what you like, find furniture that matches it! If you’re going with a vintage or retro style, you can find furniture that not only has a retro look, but something that’s also functional and comfortable. For example, a retro-inspired chair or sofa will be both stylish and comfortable. It’s also a good idea to make sure that the colors in your furniture match the colors in the rest of the room. This will help create a balanced look in your room. The Lounge Chair from our Rosie Collection embodies the funky, retro feel while providing productivity! This stylish chair screams comfort, but provides functionality by offering a tablet arm. Work in style and comfort!

The room (and furniture) should be livable!

When you’re decorating a dorm room, make sure that you’re choosing furniture that’s not only stylish, but also functional. Having a place to store your stuff will make the room more functional. It’s great to have furniture that offers multi-use capabilities. Today’s typical college student usually has their work, a great set of headphones, a drink, and their phone (to start!). Start by incorporating a desk that has a dedicated space for each item! The Gaming Table from the Gaming Collection includes a cup holder, a headphone hook, as well as additional holders for anything else! And if a college dorm needs anything, it’s LED lights - something that’s included (featuring 7 colors) with this desk. Don't need all of those features? Go for the Standup Standing Desk Collection Height Adjustable Typical for a simple desk that is sleek in design and can adjust to make you more comfortable while doing school work. 

Ensure everything has a place in the dorm room.

One of the best ways to make sure that your dorm room has a livable and functional feel is to make sure everything has a place. Having a place for everything will make sure that your room doesn’t become a mess and that you have a place for everything. One thing to lighten the load in a dorm room is to ensure the use of vertical space. Something like the Essentials Bookcase comes in handy for maximizing storage space. It’s guaranteed that any college dorm needs a place to store your books so that they don’t end up piled on the floor. Something like a bookcase also provides additional areas of organization for things like dishes, cleaning supplies, or even food. Fill in the extra gaps with personal items or decor!

Don't forget the lighting!

While it might not be the first thing that pops into your head when decorating your dorm room, lighting is important. Not only is it functional, but it can also help you create the right mood to enhance your dorm room decor. These LED Puck Lights can help light up your bookcases to show off your favorite possessions!

Add a Little Extra Power

Dorm rooms aren't known for being high-tech or state of the art. You will probably want to be equipped to handle extra devices while taking up minimal space. The OfficeSource Mobile Power Module can give your space the juice it needs. 

As we've discussed, decorating a dorm room can be both exciting and stressful. It's important to stay focused on the task at hand and not get overwhelmed by the unlimited possibilities! To make sure you stay on track, focus on the furniture and use it as a guide for the rest of the room. With the right furniture, a dorm room can be stylish and inviting, functional and most of all, livable! COE has a great selection that can help spruce up any dorm room!

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