“It takes courage to let go of the familiar and embrace the new.” Heading off to college or decorating your first place is very exciting! It can also be very stressful and overwhelming. You want your room to be comfortable and perfect, but you may have constraints that will limit what you can do–money, hand me downs, parent expectations, etc. I put together a general list of items to consider for your dorm room. Check with your college’s residence hall to determine what they provide and what specifically you will need.

Dorm Room Decor

Decorating your dorm room or apartment is a way to express your personality and style. Here are some budget-friendly options to decorate with a girl power, chic pink vibe. Commissioned links below.

Rug: Gorilla Grip Fluffy Faux Fur Sheep Rug, 4×6, Machine Washable Soft Furry Area Rugs, Rubber Backing, Plush Floor Carpet, Dusty Rose

RUG LINK: https://amzn.to/43xAXbz

Wall Art: FLY SPRAY Mandala Tapestry Aesthetic, Boho Tapestry Wall Hanging, Pink Floral Medallion Tapestries, Bohemian Wall Art Hippie Decor for Bedroom Living Room Dorm

TAPESTRY LINK: https://amzn.to/3PU2pNv

Bedding: KAKKI Tufted Pom Pom Comforter Set Twin Size for Boys Girls Kids Teen, Light Grey and White Patchwork Striped Jacquard Comforter, 2pc Soft Microfiber Textured Bedding Set for All Season(Grey,Twin)

BEDDING LINK: https://amzn.to/44DGbmK

Sheets: Bare Home Twin XL Sheet Set – College Dorm Size – 1800 Ultra-Soft Microfiber Twin Extra Long Bed Sheets – Deep Pockets – Easy Fit – Extra Soft – 3 Piece Set – Bed Sheets (Twin XL, Heathered Rosewood)

SHEETS LINK: https://amzn.to/44ioJo3

mDesign Plastic Small Trash Can, 1.5 Gallon/5.7-Liter Wastebasket, Narrow Garbage Bin with Handles.

TRASH CAN LINK: https://amzn.to/46CS7ad

Throw Blanket: Maetoow Chenille Chunky Knit Blanket Throw （40×50 Inch）, Handmade Warm & Cozy Blanket Couch, Bed, Home Decor, Soft Breathable Fleece Banket, Christmas Thick and Giant Yarn Throws, Light Pink

THROW BLANKET LINK: https://amzn.to/3JU441x

Throw Pillows: Neelvin Pink Faux Fur Cozy Soft Striped Decorative Throw Pillow Covers 12×20 inch Set of 2,Velvet Pillowcase Cushion Case for Sofa Couch

THROW PILLOWS LINK: https://amzn.to/3NHZyEE

Decor: Artilady Macrame Dream Catchers for Bedroom – Tassel Wall Hanging Handmade Dreamcatchers Home Decor with Tassel Feather Ornament Craft Blessing Gift (Pink)

DREAM CATCHER LINK: https://amzn.to/44CHKla

Mirror: BONEWEI Arched Mirror Full Length Gold, 64″x21″ Full Body Big Floor Wall Mirror with Stand Mounted for Bedroom/Cloakroom/Dorm Room

LINK: https://amzn.to/3DaA7GP

Bunk/Bed Shelf: BedShelfie Bedside Shelf for Bed & Top Bunk, College Dorm Room Essentials, Loft Bed Accessories, Clip On Nightstand Snack Organizer, Floating Bed Side Table Tray Shelfie Caddy – 2.5″ Cup Holder, White

Shelf Link: https://amzn.to/3PTsv35

Chair: GOOLON Modern Fluffy Desk Chair Faux Fur Vanity Chair for Teens Girls Room Hollow-Out Backrest No Wheel Furry Dining Chair with Metal Legs for Vanity Desk Dining Room Bedroom Pink

CHAIR LINK: https://amzn.to/3NCaLq8

Desk Chair: Zesthouse Boucle Home Office Chair Modern Desk Chair with Wheels, White Vanity Chair for Girls Women, Upholstered Swivel Armchair for Bedroom, Height Adjustable Computer Task Chair, Gold Base. Boucle is so on trend this fall!!

DESK CHAIR LINK: https://amzn.to/3NBN9Sk

Decorative Lights: Twinkle Star 200 LED 66 FT Copper Fairy String Lights 8 Modes LED, USB Powered with Remote Control for Christmas Tree Wedding Party Home Decoration, Warm White. Price: $14.59. (price subject to change)

DECORATIVE LIGHTS LINK: https://amzn.to/3K6TDrN

Decor: LADADA Artificial Hydrangea Flower Arrangement in Ceramic Vase and Vase Home Decoration Artificial Flower (Pink).

LINK to Flowers: https://amzn.to/3JPdqvq

Dinnerware: FOODLE Wheat Straw Dinnerware Sets for 4 – Lightweight & Unbreakable Camping Dishes – Microwave & Dishwasher Safe – Perfect for Picnic, Dorm, RV – Plates, Cups and Bowls Set – Great for Kids & Adults. Price: $36.99. (price subject to change)

LINK: https://amzn.to/3pwZHCJ

Towels: TRIDENT 6 Piece Bath Towel Set for Bathroom – 2 Large Bath Towel, 2 Hand Towel, 2 Washcloth 100% Cotton Soft and Plush Highly Absorbent, Soft Towel for Hotel & Spa – Silver Grey. Price: $49.99. (Price subject to change)

LINK: https://amzn.to/46BiwVV

Microwave: BLACK+DECKER EM720CB7 Digital Microwave Oven with Turntable Push-Button Door, Child Safety Lock, 700W, Stainless Steel, 0.7 Cu.ft

LINK: https://amzn.to/3JWjSRw

Dorm Fridge: BLACK+DECKER BCRK25V Compact Refrigerator Energy Star Single Door Mini Fridge with Freezer, Cubic Feet, VCM, 2.5 cu.ft, Brushed Metal Finish

LINK: https://amzn.to/46IM1Fr

Coffee Maker: Keurig K-Mini Single Serve Coffee Maker, Dusty Rose. Price: $99.99 (sale price drops to $59.99. Price subject to change at any time.)

LINK: https://amzn.to/43aFFvE

Safety: HerTime2 Personal Safety Alarm for Women – Travel Safe and Waterproof Self Defense Alarm for Women by Women – Safety Alarm Keychain for Women – Loud Alarm – Strobe Light – Keychain Alarm

LINK: https://amzn.to/3JTP9Va

When you are decorating your dorm room, apartment or home, be practical and realistic. You will not be able to buy all new things. Use what you have already and add some new pieces to modernize and freshen up the look. Color schemes should be complementary but not matchy matchy.

Also, coordinate with your roommate(s)! You each will want to express your own style and that’s ok. Share your ideas. Coordinate who will bring what (futon, rug, microwave, tv, refrigerator, etc). A dorm room is typically quite small and space is limited. Be open to new ideas and compromises as well.

I will end with a great quote from Michael Josephson: “Take pride in how far you’ve come. Have faith in how far you can go. But don’t forget to enjoy the journey.”