Although the start of college is a couple of months away, you’re likely already excitedly thinking about how you want to decorate your college dorm room. While bare college dorm rooms can look a bit depressing, there are ways to make your college dorm room cute by adding posters, decorations, yummy-smelling candles, and small reminders of home into your space. However, splurging on college dorm décor items isn’t the most sustainable option, especially since you won’t be living in your tiny dorm room forever and your taste will likely change over time (anyone remember Gen Z’s high school fairy light era?).
Sustainability is important now more than ever, especially with the direness of climate change. Opting for more sustainable options whenever possible is the key to taking care of our planet, and what’s a more fun way to implement sustainability than into your college living space? While sustainability is typically associated with luxury, that doesn’t always have to be the case — especially if you’re on a college student budget. Here are five easy and affordable ways to decorate your dorm room sustainably.
- Thrift your décor.
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Get your reusable bags ready! Thrifting your college dorm room décor is not only easy on your college student budget, but is also a great way to decorate sustainably.
While thrifting can be a bit overwhelming, there are ways to stay within your budget and figure out what you’re looking for. To start, go onto Pinterest to get some dorm room inspo, and visualize what you want your perfect dorm room to look like. Are you going for a cottagecore vibe, a ‘90s aesthetic, or a classic, minimalist look?
As you do your research, start noticing what kinds of decorations and pieces you’re gravitating towards, and make a list of the types of items you’d like to have in your room. Then, when you go thrifting, you can consciously look for those specific items rather than spending impulsively.
- Repurpose old decorations from home.
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If you’re not going too far away for college and have the means to do so, repurposing and bringing old decorations from your bedroom at home is a great way to decorate your dorm sustainably. After all, the most sustainable purchase is not making a purchase at all and just working with what you already have.
Try bringing old film photographs of your friends and posters of your favorite bands that you have taped up on your walls, or even your favorite throw blanket. Not only is repurposing décor from your bedroom at home a more sustainable option, but it also can remind you of home while you’re away at college.
- Try DIY, if you’re feeling crafty.
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Yup, we’re bringing it back to 2013 with this one. While YouTube home gurus and the 2000s Pinterest girlies started the world of DIY around a decade ago, it is still just as relevant now in the conversation of home décor and sustainability.
Have an artsy side? Try painting or drawing some wall art for your dorm room, or making paper butterflies and flowers to put over your bed. You can also try taking a pottery class and making a handmade mug or vase, or crocheting your own throw blanket or pillow. Don’t be afraid to think outside of the box and have fun!
- Check out used items on online shopping platforms like Depop and Facebook Marketplace.
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In this digital age, it’s easier than ever to make more sustainable purchases — and online shopping and reselling platforms like Depop and Facebook Marketplace can help you do just that. Although you have to sometimes be mindful of scammers, there are still so many legitimate deals on platforms like these that are worth searching for. And, if you’re not a fan of in-person thrifting or have a very specific item in mind, shopping on online reselling platforms is a great option.
Try searching for the item you want in the online platform’s search bar, and then see what you find. In terms of finding legitimate sellers and avoiding scammers, try to buy items from sellers that have positive reviews and feedback from customers.
- Introduce fresh flowers and plants into your space.
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Bringing in flowers and plants not only freshens and brightens your dorm room, but also is great for the environment. Plants help with the air quality in your room, aid in curbing depression, and can literally help you go green!
Placing a colorful bunch of flowers on your nightstand is the perfect addition to any dorm room — you can buy affordable and sustainable bunches that are sold without harmful pesticides from your local farmers’ market. Or, if you don’t feel like or can’t afford buying new flowers every other week, you can try drying out your flowers and keep a gorgeous dry bouquet in your room!