Oh, college… I have so many memories looking back on my experience. Lots of good ones and some not-so-good ones. Like living in a tiny, dark, dungeon-like dorm with a roommate who was a nightmare. I don’t mean to scare you though. Living in a dorm room definitely has its upsides. Like how you can decorate it however you want!
Sure there are some rules but for the most part, you can do whatever you want. You could hang up artwork, lay down a rug to make the place cozier, and you can even have a mini fridge. You’ll be spending lots of time there so just be sure to have everything you need for early mornings, late-night study sessions, and everything in between. To make things easier for you, these 37 finds from Amazon Canada are a great place to start!
Take Shower Essentials with You
The dorm room life is no 5-star hotel that’s for sure. Since you’ll be using communal bathrooms and showers, make sure you can carry all your toiletries in this caddy. I love that it’s clear. It makes it easier to find what you need.
Turn Your Room into a Dance Floor
When the weekend rolls around, cut loose with friends. Crank the tunes on this record player and dance the worries away. And as we all know, there are a lot of worries during the school year. Music can be like a form of therapy to help you through.
These Bed Sheets Are Super Cute
Dorm rooms are usually pretty blah, which is why having patterned bed sheets is a great way to spice things up. Not only do these look cute, but they’re also super soft! Oh, and they’re wrinkle-resistant, which is nice because nobody in college has time to be ironing sheets.
Pull an All-Nighter
Sleep?! What’s that? When midterms and finals roll around, there’s no such thing. Pulling all-nighters to study is part of the whole experience. You’ll definitely need a lamp for those late-night study sessions. And this one is easy on the eyes.
Keep a Stocked Fridge
When you need a refreshing, sugary drink to keep you going, make sure your mini fridge is fully stocked. The dining room isn’t open 24/7 (bummer, I know) so if you ever get thirsty or hungry for a midnight snack, be prepared!
Get Extra Storage Space
Dorm rooms are teeny tiny little things. PLUS you have to share that small space with a roommate. So there’s not much space for storage. That’s why you need these furniture raisers. That way you can fit a ton of stuff under your bed.
Throw These Pillows on Your Bed
How cute are these frilly throw pillows?! Super adorable, don’t you think? They make the perfect decor accent for your dorm. They have TONS of colours to choose from so you can pick one that matches your room aesthetic.
Mirror, Mirror on the Wall
Most dorm rooms are very dungeon light. Small, dark, and dingy. But if you add in these wall-mount mirrors it instantly brightens the space up. It even makes the space feel a little bigger, too. You can place them however you want to make a cool pattern!
Keep Your Desk Organized
Organization is key for two reasons. First, when you’re living in such a small space, you have to keep things in order. And second, it helps you stay on track with all your school work. This desk organizer keeps pens and papers from overtaking my workspace.
Set the Mood
Install this LED light strip around your computer or TV and watch it pop! I love that the light isn’t too harsh. It gives a nice ambient glow, which is just enough to see your screen or notebook when you’re up late studying.
Hang Up Your Favorite Photos
If you ever feel homesick, print out your favourite pictures of family and friends from back home and put them on display in this picture frame. Whenever you’re feeling sad, stressed, or lonely, just glance over and remember the good times!
You Don’t Have to Water This Plant
Add a pop of colour to your dorm with plants! And before you say you don’t have a green thumb to keep them alive, hear me out. Get a faux plant. That way you get to enjoy the look without any of the work.
These Lights Are Popular in Dorm Rooms
If you scroll through dorm room decor inspo on Pinterest, you’ll surely see these fairy lights all over your feed. And they’re popular for a reason. They look SO good! I guarantee a few of your dorm-room neighbours will have them, too.
These Candles Are So Trendy
I know a lot of dorms have strict policies about lighting candles but these bubble ones are just too cute to pass up. And they smell amazing! Even if you can’t light them, you can still have them as decor.
Extra Shelf Space for Your Textbooks
When I was in college, it felt like I was drowning in textbooks. The stack of books on my desk was so high. It looked like the leaning tower of Pisa. They leaned a little too much sometimes and fell over, which is why it’s a better idea to keep them on a shelf.
Make Your Room Feel Cozy
You’ll be spending a ton of time in your dorm room so make sure it feels homey and cozy. After all, it’s both your living room, office, AND bedroom. Cover up those ugly, cold tiled floors with this shaggy area rug.
Get Peace and Quiet During Study Sessions
Back when I was in school, I needed complete and absolute silence when studying. No distractions are allowed. If you’re the same way, let your neighbours and friends know to stay out with this sign. And put your phone on do not disturb while you’re at it!
One Piece of Furniture Does the Job of Two
Versatility is best when it comes to dorm room furniture. So this shoe rack that doubles as a bench is great to have. It fits all the shoes I brought with me to campus and as for the bench…well, I use that more as a place to throw my coat and schoolbag on.
The Perfect Study Tool
Get yourself a whiteboard so you can bring the classroom to you! Solve practice problems, write down important dates or just use it to doodle. Either way, I found it so useful to have above my desk. It makes studying a tad more fun.
Free Up Closet Space
The size of a dorm room closet is laughable. You can hardly fit anything in there. Not to mention that half of it belongs to your roommate. Thankfully, these under-bed storage bags make up for the lack of closet space.
Keep Books from Falling Over
With these bookends, you can keep your textbooks neatly organized and lined up on your shelf. That way when you’re late for class because you slept through your alarm (I know that all too well), you can quickly grab it and go!
Better Than a Nightstand
If your dorm room doesn’t have space for a nightstand, try this bedside shelf instead. It’ll hold your planner, glasses, phone, and anything else you’d typically keep by your side. It’s a major space saver and totally worth it if you ask me.
Add Some Glam to Your Room
A faux fur ottoman? Count me in! Not only is it totally cute, but it’s also functional, too. You can sit on it as you’re studying or doing your makeup, store things in it, or have it at the end of your bed to pile clothes onto.
Never Lose Your Keys
Losing a key is actually quite easy but trust me, you don’t want that to happen. I lost my dorm room key once and I wouldn’t recommend it. You’re much better off having this key holder right by your door. That way, you’ll always know it’s there.
Filter Out the Nightmares
Have you ever had a nightmare about failing a class? Those are the worst! They totally psych you out. Put up this dream catcher and only let good dreams pass through. Like the ones where you ace every single class!
Hang These Beauties on Your Wall
When it comes to artwork, I’m a fan of both nature scenes and abstract pieces. So when I found these canvas prints, I fell in love. You won’t want to leave your walls bare and boring so get yourself some art.
Hide the Mess
Storing things under your bed is a must in small dorm rooms but that being said, seeing boxes under there isn’t the prettiest sight. Luckily, it’s an easy fix! A bed skirt will cover it right up. Nobody will have a clue that 90% of your belongings are under there.
Hang Things Up without Making Holes
Just because your dorm doesn’t allow you to hammer holes into the wall, doesn’t mean you have to leave them completely bare. Just get command hooks. You won’t leave a single hole behind and they’re also a lot easier to put up!
Make Your Dorm Feel like Home
A year is a long time. So you may as well make your dorm room feel like home. And nothing says welcome home like this door mat. It also helps keep dirt out of your living space. Because let’s be honest, nobody wants to or has the time to be vacuuming.
Cozy Up in This Blanket
I remember my dorm being freezing cold! It was like living in an ice box. OK, well, maybe that’s me being a little dramatic but either way, you’ll want to have a cozy blanket to roll up in when it does get cold. And trust me, it will get cold.
Keep Track of Due Dates
You do not want to fall behind in your school work. Otherwise, it’s almost impossible to ever catch up. So stay on schedule with this weekly calendar. At the start of the week, write down every test, assignment, and project coming due so you don’t forget!
Everyone Loves a Neon Sign
If you have a neon sign in your dorm, your room will quickly become the regular hangout spot for all the cool kids on the floor. And by association, you will be the cool kid! Of course, being cool isn’t what college is about, but it doesn’t hurt.
These Flameless Candles Are Dorm Room-Approved
If you love candles as much as I do then I have some good news for you. These battery-operated candles are dorm room-approved! Because there’s no real flame, they’re not a fire hazard. But they look super real so maybe give your RA a heads-up.
This Glasses Holder Is Too Funny
This glasses stand is probably the best Amazon Canada find ever! Even if you don’t wear glasses, I’m sure you have a pair of sunglasses that could use a holder. Or maybe a pair of blue light-blocking glasses. Considering all the time you’ll spend on your laptop, you should definitely get a pair BTW.
This Wallpaper Elevates Any Space
Dorm rooms are certainly not what I’d describe as elevated or nice looking. But if you add this marble wallpaper, it’ll be a major upgrade. You can make your dingy old desk look like an expensive vanity. You can even use it on the cover of your laptop!
You Can Organize Anything in These Bins
I’ve said it once and I’ll say it again. When you’re living in a small space, organization is key! Otherwise what’s already a tiny space will feel even smaller. You don’t want that now do you? The easiest way to keep things tidy is with storage bins.
Get Creative with a Letter Board
You probably don’t NEED a letter board but I know you want it! Your dorm should be a space that reflects you. A place that inspires you. After all, you spend a lot of your time in those four walls. May as well decorate and make it all cute!