Heading off to college feels like a rehearsal for real adult life — and getting to personalize your dorm is a big step toward defining this next chapter.
But seeing that your temporary home for the next nine months is a small, whitewashed, poorly lit concrete box can seriously dampen the buzz of moving into campus housing.
*insert sad trombone*
The thing is, your surroundings influence who you become. And do you really want that version of you to be bland, empty and dreary?
I didn’t think so.
Still, outfitting a whole room from scratch can take a toll on your bank account. (Trust me — I once blew half my first scholarship check on overpriced bedding and decor.)
Since then, and with less financial cushion to fall back on, I’ve learned how to refresh my space affordably — using dorm- and landlord-friendly projects.
Below is a complete list of budget-friendly, DIY dorm decorating ideas to help you transform your room without breaking the bank.
Decorate Your Dorm
To get you going, here are 24 simple DIY dorm decorating ideas to outfit your new place with personality and panache.
1. Use Free Printable Art
Take advantage of free library printing to produce and display printable art you discover on marketplaces like Etsy.
2. Hang Photos With Binder Clips
Building a gallery-style wall is effortless (and adorable). Stick command hooks to the wall, dangle binder clips from them, and fasten photos, prints, notes from home — whatever sparks joy.
3. Frame Pictures With Washi Tape
Washi tape is another simple way to hang photos. It adheres well but is low-tack, so it’s easy to remove at semester’s end. Create frames around pictures — mix patterns and hues for a lively gallery wall.
4. Go Wild With Washi Tape
With a roll of washi tape, a little measuring and plenty of imagination, you can craft bold wall or door patterns, or camouflage ugly dorm furniture with colorful stripes — if you can envision it, washi tape can make it happen.
5. DIY Wall Decals
Temporary decals or peel-and-stick wallpaper are fun options when painting isn’t allowed, but they can cost a lot. Instead of paying for pricey stickers that’ll likely be discarded later, make your own: cut shapes from scrap paper (that pile of welcome-week flyers works perfectly) and attach them with double-sided tape. A confetti-style wall can make every day feel festive!
6. Craft Yarn/String Art
String art is simpler than it appears. Learn how to make an easy, dorm-friendly version at HelloBee. Once you’ve got the method down, the design options are endless: outline your home state, a flower, initials, or a playful slogan.
7. Get Creative With Cork Boards
A cork board is practical for displaying college memories, so why not personalize it? Cork sheets come in various shapes and sizes online — paint them and arrange them in a geometric layout like this example from Julep at Minted. Instant statement piece.
8. Make an Easy Felt Garland
Possibly the simplest DIY ever: cut shapes from felt, then attach them to a length of yarn with hot glue. Minimal effort, maximum cuteness.
9. DIY Macramé Wall Hanging
One of my favorite projects — and they’re everywhere right now. I loosely followed this guide from Oleander and Palm. The beauty of macramé is how customizable it is!
10. Sew or No-Sew Pillows
Throw pillows instantly refresh a bed or futon. Hunt for linens or fabric remnants at thrift stores or the budget fabric section, then follow this no-sew pillow cover tutorial from Homey Oh My. If you can’t find a print you love, paint a custom motif on plain fabric with multisurface craft paint.
11. Personalize a Doormat
Whether placed in the hallway or inside your door, a custom doormat makes a memorable first impression and gives guests a spot to wipe off campus grime before entering. Learn how with this tutorial at Amber Interiors.
12. Skip Expensive Rugs
Dorm floors are usually cold vinyl tile, so having a comfy rug is nice — but area rugs can be pricey. Save cash by stitching together several smaller rugs — small rugs are often less expensive than one big one. Consider an outdoor patio rug, too: it’s cheaper, durable, and stands up to spills and heavy foot traffic.
13. Make Sharpie Mugs
This is a fun way to ensure your cups don’t get mixed up with your roommate’s. You probably share a lot, but you don’t want to share germs unintentionally. Try this Sharpie mug tutorial from Living Well Spending Less and get creative with your designs.
14. Nail Polish Marbling for Planters
Pets are usually off-limits in dorms, but a plant is a great low-maintenance companion. Hardy succulents and cacti are hard to kill and look adorable in painted pots. Use this marbling method from Brit + Co to decorate a planter for your leafy friend.
15. DIY Bookends
So many textbooks and never enough shelving. Instead of splurging on pricey bookends, make your own for under $5. How charming are these animal bookends from HGTV?
16. Learn to Make Pompoms
Then put them on, well, everything. They’re simple to make and look adorable everywhere: string them into a garland, sew them to a pillow or blanket, or hot-glue them onto posterboard for a bold wall piece like this one from Sugar & Cloth. Swap cardboard for a wooden plaque to keep it lightweight. This tutorial from Handimania covers two pompom sizes to get you started.
17. Build a Simple Headboard
I wish I’d known this in the dorms — a headboard instantly elevates your room from basic to hotel-chic. Try this effortless tutorial from Stars for Streetlights using items you might already have. It’s light enough to attach with command strips.
18. Revamp Folding Chairs for Extra Seating
Dorm seating is scarce and friends often end up sitting on the floor. Fix that by giving thrifted folding chairs a makeover. The process is straightforward, and the chairs fold flat for storage. Follow this guide from Design for Mankind and pick any fabric and paint combo you like.
19. DIY Floor Cushions
Keep a stack of cushions for guests. Hunt clearance pillows at stores like T.J.Maxx and HomeGoods and re-cover them using this no-sew floor pillow tutorial from The Kitchen and the Cave.
20. Turn a Frame Into an Organizer
Never miss a deadline again! Use an inexpensive picture frame (dollar or thrift-store frames work great), insert a pretty background or a printed calendar template, and use it as a dry-erase calendar to track assignments and events.
21. Hang Curtains With a Tension Rod
Install curtains with a tension rod fitted between the window ledges. If the window setup won’t accommodate a tension rod, stick command hooks first and rest the curtain rod on those hooks.
22. Use Shower Curtain Rings to Save Closet Space
Boost closet capacity by clipping shower curtain rings onto a hanger to store belts, scarves and other accessories neatly.
23. Make a Driftwood Jewelry Hanger
Simple and mostly free: find a stick outside, clean it up, and mount it on the wall. It looks far more sophisticated than it is. Follow this tutorial from Mojomade to create a one-of-a-kind jewelry display.
24. Craft Desk Organizers
Cover old cans, jars and tins with attractive paper to create cute storage for pens, markers and supplies — like the ideas from Better Homes & Gardens. For more budget-friendly dorm styling ideas, also check out cheap dorm diy decor.
Home Sweet Home
Most of all, enjoy the process! Your room should reflect who you are — use these projects as a starting point to build a distinctive space that makes you feel at ease.
One rule: Don’t let someone with a very different aesthetic determine what surrounds you day after day. I spent a year living amid turquoise and burlap — and that was definitely not my vibe.
Roommate life is about compromise, sure, but college is also a time to explore and claim your own style, even if it diverges from what others choose.
Finding that personal look without spending a fortune?
Even better.
Your Turn: Will you try any of these projects to refresh your dorm or apartment?
Avery Collins is a junior staff writer at Savinly. She’s finally in an apartment where she can hammer in nails — moving on up!
