20 Dorm Living Room Decor Ideas

When you live in a dorm, it’s important to make the most of your space.

If you’re lucky and have a living room, then you’ve got a great opportunity to make your dorm feel like home.

A living room is a great place to entertain friends and relax in between classes.

You’ll want to make your living room feel cozy and comfortable, while also giving it some style.

Here are some dorm living room decor ideas that will help you make the most of your space.

1. Add a pop of color with throw pillows

Throw pillows are a great way to add color, texture and personality to any space.

You can mix and match different throw pillows to create a look that’s all your own.

In this dorm living room, we used a variety of throw pillows in different colors and patterns to add some personality to a neutral color scheme.

We also used a throw pillow to tie in the color of the rug with the rest of the room.

2. Add a little bit of greenery

When in doubt, add some plants!

Plants have a way of making a space feel more inviting and homey, and they’re a great way to add a little pop of color to your living room decor.

If you don’t have a green thumb, don’t worry! There are plenty of low-maintenance plants that are perfect for dorm rooms.

And if you’re really not into the idea of taking care of a plant, you can always opt for a few faux plants instead.

3. Add some personality with string lights

String lights are a cheap and easy way to add some cozy vibes to your dorm room.

Hang them up on the walls, above the windows, or around your door frame.

These clips lights are perfect for displaying photos of your friends and family.

You can also hang up your favorite tapestries, posters, and artwork with string lights.

4. Create a gallery wall

Creating a gallery wall is a great way to display your personality and style in a dorm living room.

You can use your favorite photos, artwork, quotes, and more to create a gallery wall that is totally unique to you.

One of the best things about a gallery wall is that it can be as big or as small as you want, depending on the size of your space.

You can also easily add to or change up a gallery wall if you want to switch things up.

If you’re not sure where to start, try picking a theme or color scheme for your gallery wall.

You can also use different sizes and shapes of frames to add visual interest.

5. Add a tapestry

If you want to add a pop of color to your dorm living room, then you should definitely consider hanging a tapestry!

Tapestries are a great way to cover up your walls and add some personality to your space.

Plus, they can be pretty inexpensive, so you can easily switch them out whenever you want to change up your decor.

This tapestry from Amazon is one of my favorites! I love the bright, warm colors, and the geometric print adds a fun touch to the space.

6. Get a cute rug

Rugs are the perfect way to add some color and texture to the room. If you have a lot of neutral colors, get a rug with a fun pattern or a bright color.

If you have a lot of color in the room, get a rug with a neutral pattern or color.

You can also use a rug to define the space. If you have a large living room area, use a rug to anchor the space.

If you have a smaller area, use a rug to define the space and make it feel like its own room.

7. Add a few decorative storage baskets

Storage is a must in any dorm room, but especially in a shared space like the living room. And, if you ask us, it’s even better when it’s decorative, too!

Add a few baskets to your living room to store things like extra throw blankets,

pillows, or even your roommate’s shoes if they’re not great about keeping them on their side of the room.

8. Create a DIY bookshelf

This DIY bookshelf is perfect for a dorm living room. You can customize it to fit your space and color scheme.

You can also use it as a room divider if you want to separate the living room from the rest of the dorm.

This bookshelf is made with wooden crates and a few pieces of wood.

You can find the crates at a craft store, or you can buy them online and have them shipped to your dorm.

9. Add a few of your favorite books

If you’re a book lover, you know that a few books can make any space feel cozy and inviting.

Add a small stack of your favorite books to your coffee table or side table to give your dorm living room a homey feel.

You can also use books to add a pop of color to your space or to give a nod to your favorite hobbies and interests.

Don’t be afraid to get creative with your book decor!

10. Create a cute coffee table display

One of the best parts of having a living room is having a place to display your favorite decor.

The coffee table is the perfect spot to show off your style and personality.

You can create a cute coffee table display by layering a few of your favorite books and topping them with a cute tray.

Then, you can add some candles, a small vase of flowers, or a little trinket dish to finish off the look.

11. Add a few candles

Candles can add a nice touch to your dorm living room. They can also make your space smell good if you don’t have a kitchen to cook in.

Just make sure to follow your school’s rules about burning candles in your dorm.

If you can’t have an open flame, there are plenty of other options, like flameless candles and wax warmers, that will still make your room smell amazing.

12. Add a few decorative trays

Decorative trays are a great way to add a little extra style to your dorm living room.

They’re perfect for displaying candles, coasters, and other small decor items.

You can even use them to corral things like remotes and other small electronics. This will help keep your dorm living room looking tidy and organized.

Pro Tip: You can find decorative trays in all sorts of shapes, sizes, and colors. Try mixing and matching a few different ones for a fun, eclectic look.

13. Add a few decorative storage boxes

One of the best ways to make the most of your small space is to add storage wherever you can.

In a dorm room, you might not have a ton of space for storage, but you can use the space you do have wisely.

Add a few decorative storage boxes to your living room to hide away any clutter.

You can use them to store blankets, pillows, remotes, or anything else you don’t want out in the open. Plus, they can double as a coffee table or side table.

14. Add a few decorative vases

When it comes to dorm room decorating, it’s all about finding decor that’s pretty but doesn’t take up too much space.

This is where decorative vases come in.

Not only are they perfect for adding a pop of color to your space, but they also can be used to hold flowers or other small decor items.

If you’re not a fan of fresh flowers, you can always use faux flowers or even just display the vases on their own.

There are so many different shapes, sizes, and colors to choose from, so you’re sure to find a few that you love.

15. Add a few decorative bowls

Decorative bowls are a great way to add color and texture to your coffee table, side table, or media stand.

Plus, you can use them to store small items, like jewelry or keys.

There are so many different styles and colors of bowls to choose from, so you can mix and match to create a unique look that’s all your own.

16. Add a few decorative coasters

Coasters are an easy way to add a pop of color and pattern to your living room. Plus, they’re practical, too!

Place a few sets of coasters around the room so you and your guests have a place to set your drinks.

You can mix and match the coasters to create a fun, eclectic look.

17. Add a few decorative sculptures

You can also add a few decorative sculptures to your living room to give it a more sophisticated look.

Sculptures come in all shapes, sizes, and colors, so you can find a few that really speak to your personal style.

If you’re on a budget, you can find plenty of affordable options at stores like Target, T.J. Maxx, and HomeGoods.

18. Add a few decorative candle holders

Candle holders are another great way to add some dimension to your coffee table.

You can use them to add a pop of color to your dorm room or to add some texture.

There are so many different styles to choose from, so you’re sure to find a few that fit your dorm room decor perfectly.

19. Add a few decorative plants

Plants are a quick and easy way to add color and vibrancy to any space. Plus, they help to purify the air and can even boost your mood!

If you don’t have a green thumb, don’t worry.

There are plenty of low-maintenance plants that are perfect for dorm rooms. Snake plants, pothos, and succulents are all great options.

You can also opt for faux plants if you don’t want to worry about watering and caring for them.

Try adding a few plants to your dorm living room to bring a little bit of the outdoors in.

20. Add a few decorative wall hooks

Wall hooks are perfect for hanging up bags and jackets, but you can also use them to create a fun and functional gallery wall.

Choose a few decorative hooks and use them to hang up your favorite hats, bags, and other accessories.

You can even use the hooks to hang up small plants or string lights.

Decorative wall hooks are a great way to add some personality to your space,

and they’re perfect for small dorm rooms since they don’t take up any floor space.

Conclusion

It’s always a good idea to make a mood board before you start decorating.

That way, you can get a visual idea of the colors and styles you like and make sure everything works together.

Once you have a plan, you can start shopping and decorating your dorm living room.