Stepping into your first college dorm room is pretty underwhelming, to put it nicely. From notoriously dim lighting and overall dinginess, plus cinderblock walls and cold linoleum floors—your first impression will likely be wait, I have to stay here? While the blank canvas of a dorm room is undeniably bland, it’s also a chance to get really creative. Take it straight from Chloe, a student from Ithaca College, and her mom, Amie, who took that opportunity by the reigns and leveled up her space in true HGTV-style.
With the possibilities of dorm decor being seemingly endless, starting with a color scheme is always a good idea. Chloe’s room is rooted in grey and white with splashes of gold, turquoise, and blush to serve as eye-catching accents—they’re so stunning, that they distract you from the fact that it’s still just any old dorm room. Plus, choosing neutral colors is an easy way to avoid being overwhelmed by too many options. When it comes to handpicking coordinated pillows and linens for your bed, don’t be afraid to mix it up; by pairing textured pillows with a faux fur blanket, Chloe’s twin XL bed instantly looks more appealing.
While a color scheme and a comfy bed are great, there’s still a need for spicing up the wall space of a dorm. Shelving, as seen in Chloe’s room, can serve simultaneously as storage space for knickknacks and clever embellishment against the vacant walls. Quite possibly the most unique aspect of Chloe’s entire dorm transformation is the purple speckled contact wallpaper covering the outside of her closet. The unique addition of contact wallpaper will not only add depth to the close quarters of a dorm room, but it’ll also liven up the area without damaging the wall paint! Let’s face it, decorating your space without losing your security deposit can be tricky.
As we know, sharing a dorm with a roommate leaves no room for any clutter or clothing laying around. Chloe made the most of her limited room space with the help of cute color-coordinated storage bins above her closet and below her bed. With the clutter neatly hidden away behind light curtains and bed skirts, Chloe’s personality is on full display. Her patterned run and Sherpa desk chair paired with her twinkle lights and dangling photos make for a warm and inviting atmosphere that’s perfect for the ultimate group hangout. Chloe’s personal touches make her dorm look and feel homey and they’re sure to give you some ideas to curate your very own home away from home!