“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 girly glam vibe. Glam is an interior design style that’s ornate, extravagant, and strikes the perfect balance of opulence and functionality. Commissioned links below.

Rug: Noahas Fluffy Black Rug for Living Room,5×8 Area Rugs,Thick Plush Shag Rug,Shaggy Rugs for Bedroom

RUG LINK: https://amzn.to/44EQoiP

Bedding: Patchwork Striped Comforter Set Hot Pink Black Stripes Bedding Sets Aesthetic Geometric Ombre Down Alternative Comforter For Kids Girls Women Rustic Hotel All Season Queen (1 Comforter, 2 Pillowcases)

BEDDING LINK: https://amzn.to/43mUQlr

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

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, Black

Shelf Link: https://amzn.to/44HEeWD

Throw Pillow: MIULEE Pack of 2 Luxury Faux Fur Throw Pillow Cover Deluxe Winter Decorative Plush Pillow Case Cushion Cover Shell for Sofa Bedroom Car 18 x 18 Inch Hot Pink

THROW PILLOW LINK: https://amzn.to/3NRAvyG

Knot Pillow: Uvvyui Knot Pillow Ball, Soft Home Decorative Pillows, Round Throw Pillow, Handmade Knotted Plush Pillow, Round Boucle Pillow Cushion (8.6 Inches Hot Pink)

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

Lamp: Luvkczc USB Bedside Crystal Table Lamp Gold, Touch Control Crystal Lamp, 3-Way Dimmable Lamp with Crystal Shade

LAMP LINK: https://amzn.to/3pJJtpT

Wall Art: Audrey Hepburn Wall Art – Bathroom Decor for Women – Audrey Hepburn Poster – Bath Wall Decor – Glam Wall Art – Cute Bathroom Decor – Powder Room Decor – Bathroom Wall Art – Room Decor for Teen Girls

LINK: https://amzn.to/46M76Pq

Wall Art: 7CANVAS Black and Pink Lips Canvas Wall Art Fashion and Glam Poster Sexy Lip Picture Gallery Wrap for Bathroom Bedroom Makeup Room Wall Decor 24x18Inch

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

Mirror: MiroFan Vanity Mirror with Lights Hollywood Mirror Lighted Makeup Mirror with Dimmable&3 Color Modes Lights, 9 LED Bulbles with Detachable 10X Magnification Mirror Lighted Makeup Mirror

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

Desk Chair: ZOBIDO Comfy Home Office Task Chair with Wheels, Cute Modern Upholstered Velvet Seashell Back Adjustable Swivel Vanity Desk Chair, for Women, for Kids, for Girls, Living Room, Bedroom (Rose Red)

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

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

Message Board: Magnetic Small White Board Dry Erase 11’’x14’’ – Mini Dry Erase Board with 6 Markers, Personal Whiteboards for Refrigerator Wall, Fridge White Boards

LINK: https://amzn.to/3O8wCqI

Dorm Fridge: BLACK+DECKER BCRK25B Compact Refrigerator Energy Star Single Door Mini Fridge with Freezer, 2.5 Cubic Feet, Black

LINK: https://amzn.to/3Oa3FdX

Microwave: TOSHIBA ML2-EM12EA(BS) Countertop Microwave Oven With Stylish Design As Kitchen Essentials, Smart Sensor, ECO Mode & Mute Function, 1.2 Cu Ft With 12.4″ Turntable, 1100W, Black Stainless Steel

LINK: https://amzn.to/44n6KwL

Dinnerware: FOODLE Wheat Straw Dinnerware Sets for 4 – Alternative for Plastic Dishes – Lightweight & Unbreakable – Microwave & Dishwasher Safe – Perfect for Outdoor, RV, Dorm

LINK: https://amzn.to/3pDE9V8

Storage: Vtopmart 2 Pack Stackable Makeup Organizer Storage Drawers, 4.4” Tall Acrylic Bathroom Organizers，Clear Plastic Storage Bins For Vanity

Storage LINK: https://amzn.to/3XLAe4Y

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/3Od1577

Decor: VIFULIN Pink Lightning Pink Stuff Neon Sign Teen Girl Room Decor Teen Room Decor Bedroom Lights USB/Battery Powered Room Lights with 4 Hooks Bedroom Decor for Teen Girls Room Decorations(Pink)

LINK: https://amzn.to/44En5wN

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

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 with your roommate. 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: