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Style > Decor

Home Sweet Home: Dorm Decor to Transform Your Space

This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at Illinois chapter.

After what seemed like another summer that went by too fast, it’s back to school season! Most of us already went shopping for new school supplies or trendy outfits to wear to class, but room decor can simply be forgotten. Even though the school year may have already started, it’s never too late to spruce up your living space. Whether you’re a freshman in college or returning to campus this fall, it’s likely on your to-do list to make your dorm as cute as possible. Luckily, there are easy ways you can go about decorating your room without breaking the bank.

1. Posters

Posters are perfect for filling up all that wall space and can really reveal a lot about your interests. Posters can be purchased from a ton of places, including Amazon, Redbubble, and Society6, and they can be put up using sticky tack. Ideas for posters to look out for can be ones of your favorite movie, band, or a place you want to visit. 

2. Plants

Plants are a great way to liven up your room as the greenery will make the room brighter. My go-to’s are succulents since they are fairly low maintenance. You can find plants at a local farmer’s market, the garden center of a home improvement store, or even Whole Foods. If you’re worried about caring for a plant, it’s not a bad idea to buy fake flowers and put them in a cute vase or mason jar. 

3. Tapestry

A tapestry will not only cover your boring walls, but it’ll make for a cute backdrop when your friends come over to visit and want to take pictures together. Tapestries are also great because they fill up a large amount of space and can tie the whole room together!

4. Photos

Having a section of your room where you put up photos with friends and family can be a nice reminder and help keep you grounded while you’re away from home. If you have polaroids or choose to get your photos printed like so, then that can give your room a vintage feel if that’s a look you’re going for. 

5. Fairy Lights

Lighting is everything and can really set the mood, and fairy lights are a classic addition to any dorm. Hang them on command hooks throughout your space, and you’ll find that they’re very calming at the end of the day as opposed to harsh fluorescent lights. 

6. Rug

A rug can frequently be overlooked, but you’ll thank yourself for having one when you no longer have to step on the cold floor after you wake up each morning. It’s especially cozy during the winter months and will make your room look more homey. 

7. Throw Pillows

Adding a few soft, fluffy throw pillows to your bed will make your bed so much comfier and will help tie your room together if you choose the right colors. Some places where you can find more affordable pillows that are still cute are T.J. Maxx, Marshalls, and Home Goods. 

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Melanie Marin

Illinois '21

Melanie is a senior majoring in marketing and international business management at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. She spends her free time going to concerts, binging shows on netflix, and baking. Follow her on instagram @melaniemarin9
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