Sleep through your 8am class, but don’t sleep on dorm decor.
Home is where the decorations are, and when you pack up and move into a college dorm for the semester, it should feel as homey and comforting as possible.
Sometimes transforming your school-issued four walls (or two if you are sharing a double) can be tricky, with stark white walls and not enough floor space. However, as every college student knows, there are hacks that can fix pretty much any problem.
As seen on viral TikTok videos of students with tricked-out dorm rooms, a lot can be done in a small space. The account @dormroomtours features those amazing transformations, showing what a rug, some lights and the right bedding can do to level-up your space.
After getting the necessities like a mini fridge, blankets and a coffee maker for late-night study sessions — get creative and make your dorm your own.
To help you potentially get featured as one of the coveted dorm before-and-after success stories, read on for where to find the best dorm decor of 2023.
1. Best Overall for College Dorm Decor: Amazon Off to College Shop
Every college student knows that Amazon always has what we need. This year, head to the powerhouse retailer’s “Off to College” page to shop by decor style, like Boho, Modern or Eclectic, or sort by need, like organization, cooking supplies and more.
2. Best for College Dorm Decor Essentials: Five Below
If you’re already bringing a lot of things from home, you may not need to spend a lot on outfitting your dorm room. Five Below has a huge selection of affordable options to check out. Regardless if you’re in need of a rug, need some art to match your favorite throw pillow cover or something else, they have you covered.
3. Best for College Dorm Bedding: Walmart Dorm Room Essentials
Bedding can be pricey, which is why we love getting our duvets, blankets and sheets from Walmart. They make it easy to decorate a space no matter your budget when you shop their back-to-school dorm essentials section. Head to the dorm essentials page on the site to find items under $30, including dorm storage starting at $2, bedding starting at $4, furniture starting at $17 and more.
4. Best for College Dorm Furniture: Target College Shop
Whether you’re in a dorm or an apartment during college, they should both be comfortable and stylish. Check out Target’s selection of decor to get ready for the 2023 school year. Get inspired with lookbooks, or sort by price to make sure you stay on budget. It shouldn’t be too hard, especially with dorm furniture items starting at $25.
5.Best Splurge-worthy College Dorm Decor: Urban Outfitters On Campus
Head online before you head back on campus, because you need to stock up at Urban Outfitters first. The retailer has a page just for college living, with sections for bedding, furniture, desk supplies and more. Once all done, finish up with some small-space decor to really make your new home a happy place to be.
6. Best Budget-Friendly College Dorm Decor: Dormify
Well, this one has it right in the name. Shop for your dorm on Dormify now and get all the best and trending items for 2023. Sort by need, like furniture, lighting, storage or with the brand’s cool visualization tools feature. See exactly what your dorm room will look like and mix and match items until you have the perfect curation, making this a one-stop-shop for dorm decor.
7. Best Customizable College Dorm Decor: Society6 Back to School
Be unapologetically you this school year and decorate your space with Society6. The new 2023 Back to School collection has options for bedding, posters, pillows and more, each designed by a cool artist from the site. If you need some inspiration, check out lookbooks here and grab some last-minute desk items while you’re at it.
8. Best College Dorm Decor Accent Pieces: Redbubble Back to School
Support independent artists as you head back to school this year. Redbubble has a curation of beautiful designs, each made by an artist on the site. Shop for posters, throw pillows, shower curtains and more for your dorm that add a pop of color and personality to any space.
9. Best College Dorm Decor Deals: HomeGoods
If you want to find furniture, accent pieces and even bedding that can be enjoyed after college is in your rearview, check out HomeGoods’ back to campus section. They have great picks for dorm storage, your dorm kitchen and more.
10. Best College Dorm Decor for Girls: Shein Home Decor
If you thought Shein was only for clothes and accessories, think again. Head to the home decor part of the site and find so many amazing goodies for your dorm room. Shop their back to school sale now for up to 80% off. If you’re a new shopper to Shein, use promo code: NEWFOR15 and enjoy an extra 15% in savings!
11. Best College Dorm Desk Accessories: The Happy Planner
The Happy Planner is a great place to grab the perfect planner for your dorm room desk, plus stock up on other back-to-school items like desk accessories, removable wallpaper and more.
12. Best College Dorm Storage: Pottery Barn Dorm
We know your teens are becoming young adults, but Pottery Barn Teen still has all the best college stuff for them at any age. Shop the curated dorm selection on the site now and find a handy checklist, in addition to shoppable sections for no nail shelving, headboards and more.
13. Best College Dorm Decor for Boys: Wayfair Dorm Decor
Head back to campus the Wayfair way. Shop for all the best back to school items now, with special guides on how to curate the best bed as well as special sales that will save you cash on dorm necessities now.
14. Best College Dorm Bathroom Essentials: H&M
If you’re lucky enough to have a dorm room suite with a connected bathroom, you’ll want to dress it up with your personal touch. H&M’s dorm shop has everything from soap dispensers to bath mats. Consider them your go-to when looking for pieces to elevate your space.
15. Best College Dorm Decor Art: ArtSugar
Add something sweet to your dorm room that will put a smile on your face every time you come home from class. ArtSugar can help, as they have super fun and colorful wall art, as well as home decor like catchall trays, bookends for your shelves and other fun dorm-friendly designs.
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