The Best Dorm Decorations

Mkono Hanging Photo Display 

Picture This

Ditch the frames and start hanging your favorite snapshots with ease.

Best Photo Display

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Photos are a must-have for any dorm room, whether it’s to display snaps of old friends and family back home or fresh ones with your new college buddies. However, bulletin boards can be clunky and aren’t very nice to look at, so we were excited to find this cute banner from Mkono. It features nine hanging chains adorned with stars, making it a fantastic piece of decor in itself, but it becomes even more appealing once you use the included clips to create a photo collage. The chains come in various lengths, so no matter where you place your photos, they’re sure to add some artsy touches, and when you need some fresh pics, you can swap them out in a flash. We think the stars on their own are appealing to look at as well.

Pros:

• Available in both gold and silver
• Some of the hanging chains are long enough to put multiple photos on
• Extremely durable and looks quite expensive for the price

Con:

• The main banner piece may become tangled during shipping

Shappy Removable Acrylic Mirror

Mirror, Mirror

Whether you're in need of a mirror or just want to liven up your space, this is a great solution.

Best Wall Decoration

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Many interior decorators like to use mirrors as an easy way to make a small room look bigger. With Shappy’s mirrored decals, not only can you trick visitors into thinking you have a larger room, but the small geometric shapes make for excellent decoration as well. This 32-piece set adheres easily to any wall and can also be arranged in any number of ways to create several fun designs. No matter how you decide to hang these, they’re sure to add a welcome dash of style to your dorm.

Pros:

• Pieces can be moved and rearranged several times before the stickiness is lost
• Easy to clean if they become dusty or smudged

Con:

• Should not be used on textured walls

Jerry & Maggie – Desktop Organizer 

Workspace Vibes

Don't let a dirty desk be the focal point of your room.

Best for Organization

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Decor doesn’t have to just be for your walls, and as most of us can attest, a messy workspace can often take away from the look of a room. This desk organizer from Jerry & Maggie does the trick to help alleviate clutter, and its fun geometric design adds some character. We love that this comes in two separate sections, as that means that you’re able to switch up the construction to suit your own spatial needs or personal design preference. The pieces are also durable yet extremely lightweight, which is a helpful feature for students who may move quite often.

Pros:

• Very easy to assemble and comes with all the necessary tools to do so
• Available in black, brown, and white

Con:

• The silver hardware is noticeable against the black finish, which may not suit everyone’s taste

Something Unicorn LED String Curtain Lights

The Rainbow Connection

These lights are a quick and easy way to spruce up a boring white wall.

Best For Ambience

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When you’re done with homework but aren’t quite ready to hit the hay, you’re probably going to want a lighting option other than stark fluorescent bulbs. Look no further than these soft, rainbow curtain lights from Something Unicorn. Drape these over the area you’d like to liven up, whether it be over curtains or even just a bare window, and within moments, the space will be drenched in colorful light. And of course, once you’re relaxing in your twin-extra long bed, you won’t want to get up to adjust the lighting. We love that these lights come with a little remote control that enables you to adjust the brightness as well as set a timer if you’d rather not leave them on all night.

Pros:

• Easily powered by a USB cord
• Each strand of lights is individually twist-tied to stop any potential tangling

Con:

• Curtains are not included

Abyssaly Peel and Stick Wallpaper

Stick It to the Man

No need to hassle with paintbrushes with this peel-and-stick wallpaper.

Best Wallpaper

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One of the biggest no-nos in a college dorm is painting the walls — some schools even charge a fine. But never fear, as we’ve found the perfect solution: peel & stick wallpaper. With just one quick step, you’re able to change up the look of your room in minutes — and not just the walls, either. This easily removable contact paper from Abyssaly can upgrade the look of virtually any item, including desks, closets, and cabinet doors. To make it even easier to install, each roll comes equipped with gridlines on the back to ensure a perfect fit every time.

Pros:

• Available in eight colors and four measurement options
• The glue used is resin-free, which means it will not damage any surfaces it’s applied to

Con:

• You may need to apply two layers if you’re looking for a deep color

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to worry about getting charged for things I’ve put on the walls?

Some schools may ask students to pay for the damage they’ve caused, yes. But there are plenty of dorm decor options that don’t require any painting or hole drilling. We suggest that before buying anything with the intention of hanging it up, make sure it can adhere easily to the walls with things like double-sided tape or Command strips, as these are a breeze to remove and cause virtually no damage.

Should I coordinate my decor with my roommate’s?

Of course, life would be much easier if we all enjoyed the same colors and design themes. But if you’re going to live with someone you don’t know, odds are, that won’t be the case. It certainly isn’t a requirement for you and your roommate to stick to the same motif, and as long as one of you isn’t hijacking the space unfairly, having different design themes should be just fine. Just remember you’re both in the same boat.