As kids head off to college, there are some essentials that can add comfort to their home away from home. Here are some must-haves that will maximize a smaller space and personalize their dorm rooms.
Amanda Preston, marketing manager for IKEA Michigan, says multifunctional furniture remains a popular option. For instance, the Kjuge Pouf with Storage offers extra seating for friends and storage for blankets, books or electronics. “At just $12.99, it is an affordable way to add both style and functionality to a dorm room,” she says. “Students are increasingly looking for versatile, space-saving products like this that help keep their rooms organized without sacrificing comfort.”
Textiles can enhance a dorm room. “Soft bed sheets, plush throw pillows and a cozy blanket can instantly create a sense of comfort and familiarity, helping students feel more at home in a new environment,” says Preston. “Beyond adding comfort, these pieces also bring personality and style to a space. Layering soft textures and favorite colors can transform a basic dorm room into a welcoming retreat where students can relax, study and recharge.”
Flexible furniture can be modified for future moves. “The Bjorkasen laptop stand is a great example. In a dorm room, it works as a convenient laptop desk, but it can also double as a side table for snacks, studying or entertaining friends,” she says. “Later, when you move into an apartment or house, it easily transitions into a sofa-side table, with the base designed to slide neatly under a couch or chair. Its flexible design helps it adapt to changing spaces and needs, making it a practical piece you’ll continue to use long after move-in day.”
Practical matters
Metro Detroit-based content creator Haneen Matt, who worked with Pottery Barn Teen on a dorm room for her daughter, also shares some tips. “Proper storage is important when you are working with such a tight space. You should make use of any nook or cranny like underbed storage or shelving for the upper bunk,” she says. “Pottery Barn Teen has a No Nails section on their website with shelves that have heavy-duty tape and don’t need nails. They come with a plug to put up for the top bunk. There is enough room for a drink and your phone to charge.”
In a dorm room, Matt says a mattress topper makes the bed much more comfortable. “Bedding is a nice way to personalize the space when you’re off to college, but you want it to feel like home and feel like you,” she adds. “Artwork that speaks to you can be added with command strips. It makes the room a little more personalized and fun and string lights and lamps make it a little cozier.” Practical adds include nightstands with storage, a vanity with lights and an over-the-door mirror.
“When working with small spaces, look for pieces that serve a double purpose, like ottomans that provide seating and storage, and coordinate with your roommate if you can,” says Matt. “You can split things so you do not have to buy everything. It’s a nice way to bond before the school year starts and you can plan the décor together.”
Personal spin
“Dorm decorating has become one of Gen Z’s first real chances at self-expression, and you can feel it in what they’re shopping for,” says Dayna Isom Johnson, Etsy trend expert. “Personalization is leading the way, with searches for personalized and custom portraits jumping over 1,200% in the last few months, alongside a love for the nostalgic as vintage wall art and lamps both climb. Students aren’t recreating someone else’s room. They’re building a space that’s unmistakably theirs.”
Johnson likes to think about dorm decor through a past, present and future lens. “Start with the past by bringing a piece of home with you, whether that’s a personalized pet portrait or artwork inspired by your hometown. For the present, lean into color, texture and one-of-a-kind finds that reflect your personality right now. And think toward the future by investing in handmade or vintage pieces that will follow you well beyond the dorm. My rule of thumb is that small details make a big impact.”
She encourages students to think beyond move-in day. “A vintage lamp, a piece of original art or a custom mug doesn’t age out when the semester ends, and those are the pieces that grow with you,” says Johnson. “Choose handmade or vintage finds you’ll still love in your first apartment, wherever life takes you next.”
Express yourself
Students want their space to feel like home, says Stacey Shively, chief merchandising officer for Michaels. “This year, we’re seeing a shift away from perfectly coordinated rooms toward spaces that feel deeply personal and reflect individual style. Students are embracing meaningful keepsakes, DIY projects and collected décor that tells their story,” she explains.
Classic personalized dorm traditions — photo walls, DIY artwork and favorite mementos—are still central, but they’re now paired with cozy lighting, soft textiles and handcrafted accents that make the space feel warm and personal.
Because dorm rooms have such a limited footprint, every item needs to work a little harder. Flexible storage solutions include over-the-door organizers and rolling carts, while decorative baskets are attractive and practical additions. “Staying organized doesn’t mean sacrificing character, and when students get that balance right, even a small space can feel comfortable, inspiring and entirely their own,” says Shively.
“Decorative pillows, ambient lighting and DIY photo displays featuring friends, family and pets help soften the space and create a sense of familiarity from Day One,” she adds.
Framed photos make a dorm room feel like home. Michaels offers ready-made frames that make it easy to create a gallery wall on any budget, Shively explains. Custom options can preserve special mementos and other treasures for years to come. Unlike dorm essentials like bedding, these keepsakes can follow students from a residence hall to a first apartment and beyond, helping every new space feel a little more like home, she adds.
Storage carts, shelving, decorative baskets, table lamps, mirrors and neutral accent décor can also work well for students as they move into off-campus housing. “Handmade artwork, framed photos and DIY décor become keepsakes that travel with them from space to space, rather than being replaced after one school year,” says Shively.
Lastly, she adds: “Instead of decorating for a single semester, students are creating spaces that can grow with them, mixing functional essentials with personal pieces that continue to tell their story long after graduation.”
Jeanine Matlow writes the Smart Solutions column in Homestyle. You can reach her at jeaninematlow@earthlink.net.
This article originally appeared on The Detroit News: Smart ways to style and organize your dorm room
Reporting by Jeanine Matlow, Special to The Detroit News / The Detroit News
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Jeanine Matlow, Special to The Detroit News | USA TODAY Network
