The ultimate décor guide to transforming a dorm room

With older children headed off to college when looking at the drab walls and bare windows of a college dorm room, students need to feel “blah.” Instead, dorm dwellers should embrace their new space as a blank canvas ready to be transformed.

With a dash of creativity, a sprinkle of DIY spirit — and some guidance from Duck brand —  students can convert the stark space into a cozy, stylish haven that will inspire relaxation and productivity.

Perk up walls with patterns

Adding prints, textures or color to bland white walls doesn’t always have to be a permanent change — but can make a significant difference in spicing up a dorm’s décor. Products like EasyLiner Removeable Adhesive Laminate offer quick, affordable and dorm-friendly solutions to transform the living space temporarily. Whether creating a full-wall brick backdrop, a faux marble backsplash behind desks or dressers, or cut-out geometric shapes for accents, the easy-to-use product offers a wealth of pattern choices for endless creative applications (that can be removed easily at the end of the year).

Add familiarity with photos

Living away from home for the first time will likely leave students longing for family and friends. Photos of familiar faces will help get them through any homesickness while helping new friends and roommates get to know them a bit better. Whether making photo collages on posters, hanging individual pics on a decorative string with clothespins, or crafting unique paper frames for memorable moments, students should hang each image with dorm-approved adhesives that won’t damage the walls. Duck Max Strength Nano-Grab Double-Sided Gel Tape is ideal for mounting any wall art since it offers long-lasting adhesion that applies and removes easily from most surfaces without leaving a sticky residue.

Furnish the floor

After the walls, the floor is the most significant surface area in the dorm room. Instead of buying bare carpet remnants sold on most campuses, college kids can add a textured or fuzzy rug for instant comfort and style. Choose a circular shape or one with vibrant colors and patterns to infuse the room with personality.

Create welcoming windows

Windows are often overlooked in dorm décor, but with some creativity, it’s easy to make them stand out. Students may want to consider sheer curtains to let in natural light while adding a soft, open feel. If the room doesn’t have curtain hardware installed, they can use a tension rod so as not to damage walls or window frames. For a pop of color or texture, drape colorful fabric or scarves over the window or frame the entire window with strips of removable adhesive laminate.

Pop with pillows

An effortless and impactful way to add a pop of color and instant decoration to a dorm space is with pillows. Add a mix of sizes, patterns and fabrics to transform a basic bed into a sensational seating area. Or add a few more oversized pillows to the floor for a cozy study nook. Plus, pillows are easy to swap out, allowing students to change their dorm décor with the seasons without much effort or expense.

For more information or inspiration, visit duckbrand.com/home-and-diy/home-diy.

By following this guide to dorm room décor, college students can easily add a big style to their small dorm room space.