10 Retro-Inspired Dorm Decor Finds That Pass the Designer Test
Think band posters, shag rugs, and more.
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In case you haven’t heard, retro-inspired decor is making a major comeback. Yes, the floral wallpaper, bold kitchens with colorful glassware, and warm wood tones that filled grandma’s home are suddenly seeing a revival—and we’re here for it. Bring on the nostalgia!
That said, we couldn’t resist rounding up our favorite retro dorm decor finds for those shopping for that special college student in their life. These aren’t just some random products, either. We’ve taken it a step further by tapping interior designers for their best buys, so you won’t blow your budget (or lose your cool). Keep scrolling to help your student kick off the school year in style.
If you ask designer Sarah Storms, the founder of Styled by Storms, “the ‘90s are back, and so are the posters.” For under $20, your student can show off their love of music with a cool band poster. Plus, it’s an easy way to dress up their drab dorm room wall.
“People are discovering different eras of music—sometimes through their parents’ record collections—and want to feel connected. Movies of these eras often show posters tacked up in childhood bedrooms and this translates to your dorm room. Don’t forget the Fun-Tak, too!” says Storms.
A bold rug can instantly change a small space, and a shag style is the way to go for an old-school vibe. Designer Ashley DeLapp has her eye on this rainbow-colored pick that shoppers say is “super soft,” “cleans easily,” and has “zero shedding.”
“Nothing screams retro vibes like a shag carpet, and this one is already the perfect vintage color palette,” DeLapp shares. “Warm, earthy tones like mustard yellow and rust take center stage and nail the look.”
“Zara Home is a great destination for college dorm finds and chic pieces at a more accessible price point,” says Lindsey Herod of Lindsey Herod Interiors. This rechargeable lamp, which is available in seven different colors, is the perfect example.
“This one would be fun as a desk lamp for late-night studying when you don't want to disturb your roomie,” says Herod of the design. It features three light settings.
Instant printed photos with the press of a button? Any college student would approve of this Fuji pick, which comes with film (you’ll get 40) and a handy carrying case. It’s available in classic white and four fun pastel colors: blue, pink, purple, and green.
“Instant cameras allow you to capture and live in the moment at the same time,” says Storms. “I love having these little pictures tacked up or stacked on your coffee table. You can’t help but smile as the picture develops or looking back remembering the time you had.”
Deck out a dorm room in this retro velvet chaise, complete with storage under the seat cushion. It’s a no-fail way to make a student “feel like the space belongs to them,” says designer Marie Cloud of Indigo Pruitt. And you can’t beat the price!
“A dorm room has to work twice as hard as any other room in the house, so a piece that gives you seating and hidden storage in one footprint is the smart move,” Cloud explains. “The curved arm and velvet keep it from feeling purely functional. It still reads like a real design choice, not just a place to hide your extra blankets.”
Any dorm room can benefit from patterned bedding. The bolder, the better, is DeLapp’s philosophy when it comes to choosing the perfect vintage-inspired print.
“This groovy bedding replicates the distinct motifs and nostalgic textiles of the ‘60s and ‘70s. The orange pop is also a staple of midcentury design and sets the tone for the whole space,” DeLapp shares.
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We can’t talk about retro decor if some good ‘ol vinyls aren’t in the mix. A simple poster can get the job done, DeLapp says. “Record motifs are one of the easiest ways to add retro flair to your space,” she explains. This unframed pick comes in two sizes.
A Vornado fan is worth adding to your cart, too. According to DeLapp, it’s “a simple way to bring nostalgia to your decor.” This retro-looking model comes in four colors, including the sage green here, so they can find the right one for their dorm room’s color palette. Plus, it tilts and features two speeds.
The arched mirror trend shows no signs of slowing down. Help your student get in on the craze with this choice, which Cloud says will “never read as dated.”
“It softens a room full of hard right angles and gives you function and form in the same piece, which matters when your square footage is this tight,” she adds.
Dorm rooms can never have too much lighting if you ask Cloud. Go for a colorful table lamp, like this scalloped design, that can energize the space. “A scalloped shade in a saturated blue does more for a space's mood than any poster ever will, and it's a small object making a confident choice,” she says.
Monique Valeris is the home design director for Good Housekeeping, where she oversees the brand's home decorating coverage across print and digital. Prior to joining GH in 2020, she was the digital editor at Elle Decor. In her current role, she explores everything from design trends and home tours to lifestyle product recommendations, including writing her monthly column, "What's in My Cart."
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