School is nearly back in session and college students are moving into their dorms. These days, there’s no such thing as a boring, bare-bones dorm room. Students want to make their space (no matter how small) into their home, even if they may only live there for a year.
We asked interior designers who focus on dorm design about the trends they’re seeing this year. The theme: Most people want their dorms to feel cozy and personalized, and a place they can truly live in, rather than just a spot to “rough it” for the next year.
Keep reading for all the trends that are popping up in dorm rooms all over the country, and a few tips on how to implement them in your own small space.
Personalization
Students want their spaces to truly feel like them, and because of that, designers are seeing a lot more personalization in dorm decor. This calls for a more collected, less “matchy-matchy” look, with pattern-mixing, layering vintage or thrifted finds, and decorating with personal photos and artwork, according to Amy Lawrence, interior designer and owner of Amy Joyce Designs.
Monograms have picked up in popularity among students, but it’s not the only way to get personal in design, says Shannan Bower, interior designer and owner of Shannan Bower Interiors. “They want their room to be personalized, and it doesn't necessarily mean a monogram,” she says. “We encourage them to dig in and help us understand who they are so that we can design a space that truly feels like them.”
The goal is for a dorm to feel like a mini version of the childhood home they’ve been curating over time, says Lawrence.
Bold Colors and Patterns
“Dopamine dorms” are in, according to Lawrence. Students want bold, bright color palettes and a mix of interesting patterns to showcase their personality and create a space that’s fun to be in.
“We are big on color. Bold colors, bold patterns,” she says. “I tend to stay away from too much neutrality. I think color is expressive. There's science behind what colors can do for you.”
That said, there’s a way to incorporate these colors and patterns so it’s not overwhelming. “I typically like to pick two colors that we love mixing with neutrals and then throwing in an unexpected color,” says Lawrence. “For example, with the dorm room that we just did, we started with a lot of the pinks, fuchsia, and oranges and then popped in that dusty blue.”
Peel-and-Stick Wallpaper
While actual wallpaper may not be school-approved, peel-and-stick wallpaper has allowed students to make their space more expressive while still being within dorm guidelines. Students are asking more and more for wallpaper to be installed, according to the pros we spoke with. “Wallpaper is very, very, very popular,” says Bower. “Wallpaper can be a game changer for these rooms.”
Installing peel-and-stick wallpaper to just one wall can really transform the whole feel of the room, says Lawrence. “There's a lot of great wallpapers out there that are peel-and-stick,” she says. “I know there are companies like Etsy and Spoonflower that do a lot of the peel-and-sticks.”
Layered Lighting
After long days full of studying and tests, students don’t want to come home to a harsh overhead light; they want to feel cozy in their space. That’s why they’re adding lots of soft lighting to their room, layering in different light sources, from lamps to bedside sconces.
“Lighting is really, really important,” says Lawrence. “Lighting can dictate the mood of a space, so instead of relying on the overhead, you can have soft, moody lighting.”
Try adding non-traditional light sources such as gallery-style picture lights above artwork, and swapping in warm bulbs where you can for an easy way to cozy up the space, suggests Lawrence.
Vanity Space
Having a special place to sit down and get ready in the morning is at the top of the list for dorm dwellers—and it doesn’t stop with function. Students want this to be a place they look forward to using every day.
“They want to sit down in a really comfortable chair—a really pretty chair—at a really pretty desk,” says Bower. “They want to have a vanity mirror that has all the lights and different temperatures of lights, and then they want to decorate around that with friends' pictures or memorabilia from home. That's a big one.”
Lauren Barnhill is a freelance lifestyle writer with a passion for all things fashion, beauty, home, and travel. Beyond Good Housekeeping, Lauren has written for top outlets including REAL SIMPLE, The Everygirl, and BuzzFeed. She is also the voice behind Leisurely, a Substack newsletter all about living an unhurried, intentional life. Whether she’s scouring the internet for the latest trends or writing about the products she’s tested and loved, Lauren brings a thoughtful, informed voice to every piece she writes.
