Her Campus Logo Her Campus Logo
Pretty Dorms Hero Imagery 2png?width=719&height=464&fit=crop&auto=webp
Pretty Dorms Hero Imagery 2png?width=398&height=256&fit=crop&auto=webp
Geneve Lau
Style > Decor

This Marble DIY Dorm Room Transformation Will Blow Your Mind

Looking at this marble dresser, you’d probably think, “That’s got to cost $500, maybe $1,000? Whatever it is, I can’t afford it.” I feel that, because I thought the exact same thing. Honestly, I try to avoid looking at dream apartments and dorms, because I know that I could never afford a marble desk. But do I have news for you. This “marble” dresser is the sum total of the plain wooden dresser that your dorm comes with, plus a whopping $8.48. How, you ask? Marble contact paper, my friends.

That’s right.

This Boston University student went to Lowe’s, grabbed some contact paper, and went wild in her dorm room — her desk, her drawers, the coffee table, even a lovely cocktail setup! 

Have you ever seen anything so chic in a dorm room? Now, I know you’re probably a bit blown away and wondering how you can bring this incredible hack to life in your space. Enter Geneve, the marble-loving student who was inspired by one of her best friends. “Before freshman year started, a good friend of mine already started school at Baylor. Dhe did this to her dresser and I told her, ‘I’m stealing this idea,’” she tells Her Campus. After that, Geneve hit up Lowe’s.

I repeat: This dorm room transformation cost less than $10 at Lowe’s. If that’s not the best deal on the planet, I’m really not sure what is. Here’s a tour of Geneve’s room, so you can get the full effect: 

Since I am no contact paper expert, I asked for her best tips to create such a perfect and seemingly simple application. Geneve says, “[It takes] lots and lots of patience! Folding over the edge helps. And mini scissors.” Get ready for this major life hack: “If you get massive bubbles, a thumbtack can actually poke a microscopic hole that you can squeeze all the air out of.” Genius! 

Well, I am extremely impressed, and currently pulling out my wallet so I can Amazon Prime this to my door in the next 15 minutes — yes, it’s available on Amazon, too! 

For more dorm room inspo, follow @prettydorms on Instagram!

As a rising senior at Florida State University, Jenna loves to play Ultimate Frisbee, write, run, read, edit and everything in between. She is a current Lifestyle intern at Her Campus in Boston and is currently discovering the city girl she never knew she was. She is so open to new people and experiences and is excited to see what the world has to offer. Also, dogs.