Amazon is my best friend and after this it might just be your long lost lover. With Amazon’s services, I get to search for anything I could possibly want from any brand/seller all in one place for an affordable price. To say the least, Amazon has been a go to for me while assembling my dream dorm at Montclair State.
I’ve learned a couple of things to give you that typical Tumblr post dorm room you’ve always dreamed of for $150 or less, because amidst Sallie Mae’s loans there’s no questioning why every dollar counts. With these basic elements and a touch of your own personal flare, you’ll be on your way to dorm room heaven in no time!
1. You can’t go wrong with a basic solid toned comforter
It makes it easy to switch out accent items and accessories later, and a reversible one is even better for versatility. Make sure it has a texture, either squares or triangles to give it that extra oomph while still maintaining the minimalistic tumblr look. You can get one at Target or Walmart for a very affordable price as low as $15 to $20 dollars.
2. Pile on the pillows
Pillows not only give you comfort, but effortless decoration. For more customization (and to save a couple bucks) you can buy pillow inserts rather than actual pillows, then buy pillowcase covers of your choice with different colors and textures that match your theme.
You can make the pillow case cover a size smaller than the pillow insert for a more snug fit as well, which I prefer. For example, I like to get a 18×18 pillow insert along with a 16×16 pillowcase. This pillow insert on Amazon is only $7 dollars! Get pillows of varying sizes to contrast one another. For example, combine a body pillow with a standard sized pillow and a backrest pillow. Pillows shaped as objects are an option as well! For example, this cute heart shaped pillow. For only $11 too it’s a steal. Add a cute and cuddly stuffed animal for a personal touch if you’d like.
3. Add a throw blanket
This will add a pop of color and help bring all the elements together. You can get a fuzzy, knit, fur or woven one. Combine different textures and colors to make your room look even cozier and more inviting. You can get one for only $10 from any store that sells home goods and only $5 from Five Below! If you’re anything like me and you prefer to sleep over your comforter, a throw blanket will add to the practicality of your room and keep you warm and snuggly.
4. Indoor Mounting Tape to put things up rather than command strips
Command strips are pretty fancy but they can get very pricey quickly, especially when you’re hanging up a bunch of framed photos. Opt for mounting tape instead. You can get a larger quantity of it for a much more affordable price, and like regular tape you can control how much of it you want to use. Indoor Mounting Tape gets the job done just as well as command strips and will come in very handy for your dorm dream!
5. A nice textured rug to spice things up
The rug might be my favorite part of the room, it’s like the meat and potatoes of a meal. Except this meal involves the first thing your feet touch when you leave your cocoon — I’m sorry, bed! Like a throw blanket, there are many different textures of rugs available.
One of my favorite is the shag rug. It can be as soft as a fur rug, but doesn’t give me the anxiety that the upkeep of a fur rug does (also I’m just an accident prone person, sorry in advance to future rugs doused in soy sauce). You don’t need a huge rug to complete the look of your room. Go with one that fits the vibe and your preferences. Stores like Walmart and Target usually have really good in-store sales on rugs for college students. You can get a 4×6 feet rug for as little as $15!
6. Lights to brighten up the atmosphere
Additional lighting in your room not only gives you an option for a stylish night light, but can also add the extra needed light to a room with poor lighting. There are an array of lights that you can use.
Fairy lights, christmas lights, globe lights, and lantern lights are just a few. For example, moon shaped or star shaped string lights can give your room a dreamy feeling, and for as low as $8.99 you can make your dream room a reality too!
On some websites you get the option to buy either a “warm white” toned light or a “cool white” light. I opt for the warm light option. Warm white lights are generally used in bedrooms as they are known to be more relaxing and calm, whereas cool white lights are very bright and can improve concentration. Cool white lights also help rooms with a modern minimalistic look appear even more so, with their very clean, bright nature. Be sure to choose a light type that serves your purpose.
7. Tapestry and flags can fill your walls and define you
The tapestry you choose to put on your wall defines the mood of the room. Like the comforter, you have various options for patterns and designs. If you’re into the beach pick a tapestry that displays a sunset on the beach. If you love to embrace boho vibes get a mandala tapestry. If you’re more minimalistic like me and want to keep things classic, go for a simple marble patterned tapestry. Most tapestry’s on Amazon range anywhere from $10 to $18 dollars and there is a wide variety to choose from.
8. Cute and coordinated storage and framed photos or posters for splashes of color
A nice cute ottoman perched at the edge of your bed, along with a couple of storage bins color coordinated to the theme of your room will keep you organized in style and can act as accent items to help pull your room together.
Adding a frame to a photo can make a space more lively by 1000%. It can give your photos a clean look, and your frame colors of choice can play a role in the overall feel of your room. To get pre-framed photos on a budget visit your local Dollar General. If you’re not into photo frames, you can’t go wrong with the classic poster. Either way, these elements will add pops of color to your room or help tie together a specific color scheme.
9. Flower decor, fake candles, wall stickers & salt lamps oh my
Wall stickers with inspirational quotes or cute designs like flowers or cactuses can help fill up a wall that you’re not sure what to do with. If you’re a plant person, fake plants in white pots can give your room a very tumblr-esque feel. Pair this with fake battery operated candles (all the cute minus all the hazard and campus rule violations) that you can find on Amazon for just $9.99!
Himalayan Salt Lamps sold for a similar price of $11 dollars are known for their cleansing effects and will also add to the tumblr dorm inspired look we’re going for!
Now that you’ve got the down low on the dorm room essentials, an Amazon Prime membership isn’t looking too shabby am I right? You never had to shovel hundreds of dollars into your dream room, so now go make that dream a reality!