Introduction
For many students, a dorm room is the first true opportunity they have to decorate their own space. It’s an experience brimming with excitement and possibility. You get to decide what makes you feel most inspired when you’re studying, sleeping, and doing everything in between. But it can be overwhelming coming up with dorm room wall decor ideas that make sense for your personality, your budget, and your living space—especially if you’re not super crafty. That’s why we’ve compiled this list of 20 cool dorm room wall art ideas that will help you personalize your new home for now without spending too much money or time putting them together!
1. Giant chalkboard wall
dorm room wall decor
A giant chalkboard wall is a perfect way to make your room feel more like a home. You can use it to jot down reminders and appointments, create a calendar for the week and month, or even act as a menu board so you can have guests write down their favorite dish. If you’re not sure where to start, we’ve got some ideas:
- Make it an art gallery. Use this simple technique from HGTV to turn empty walls into blank canvases for your favorite paintings.
- Create a calendar wall with chalkboard paint by drawing each month on its own piece of paper and hanging them together on the wall in order (to avoid confusion).
- Use large magnetic letters for cute phrases like “Home Sweet Dorm” or “Welcome Home” that’ll remind you how much better life is when you’re away from home!
2. Photo collage
dorm room wall decor
Choose photos that have meaning to you. Whether they’re photos of your family, friends, or favorite places, it’s all about finding images that mean something to you.
If you want to show off the best moments of your life and share them with others, then a wall collage is an excellent way to do so. Or perhaps you want an entire wall covered in pictures because there are just too many great ones for one photo frame? Either way—a photo collage is an easy way to transform any ordinary wall into a masterpiece!
3. Macrame feathers
Macrame is one of the easiest and quickest crafts to learn, and you can use it to make all sorts of decorations for your dorm room. The only tools you need are a rope, some scissors, and a needle. For this project, we’ll be using two colors of cotton thread: one in the color of your feather’s body and another in white.
Be sure to cut each strand at least 4-5 feet long so that when it becomes knotted up while making macrame knots it doesn’t unravel on you.
4. Collage of travel memories
Collage wall art is a great way to decorate your dorm room, and it’s easy to make your own collage wall art. You can use a variety of materials for this project: magazines, photos, posters, and even fabric can be used. If you’re using magazine pages or photos, glue them onto a piece of cardboard first so they’re easier to hang. Then cut out any pieces that overlap and add dimension by adding some color with markers or paintbrushes.
5. Gallery wall with art prints
A gallery wall is a great way to showcase your favorite art prints. If you have some, use them to create a focal point in your room. You can also add color, show off your favorite things, or simply add interest to the space.
The key with this type of wall decor is having multiple smaller pieces instead of one large piece that dominates the room. The idea behind this type of display is that it looks like an art gallery with lots of interesting pieces hanging on the wall instead of just one big picture taking up all the space at once. The focal point in this case would be all those pieces working together as one big visual experience for people who enter through your door!
6. String lights
String lights are the perfect way to add some ambiance to your dorm room. You can hang them on the wall or use them to create a canopy over your bed. You can also string them across the ceiling or windows. String lights are pretty flexible, so you can get creative with how you use them!
7. Giant dry-erase monthly calendar
This is a great way to keep track of your schedule, especially if it’s different every week. It’s also super easy to use and move from dorm to dorm as you go through college.
You can get this product in any color that matches your decor and then write on it with a dry-erase marker.
8. Framed movie or TV show posters
It’s time to think about which movies and TV shows are your favorite. Perhaps you’re a huge fan of The Lord of the Rings and want to hang up a poster with Gandalf on it, but only if it comes in red or blue. You could also use this opportunity to show off your knowledge of cinema by hanging pictures from directors such as Alfred Hitchcock, Quentin Tarantino, Orson Welles, and Stanley Kubrick.
As for actors and actresses: keep in mind that their faces should be visible because students tend not to sit at eye level with posters in dorm rooms (and if they do, then maybe consider getting some new friends). Also, remember that dorm walls are small you’ll need something that doesn’t take up too much space!
Some genres include science fiction (Star Wars), horror (Dracula) comedies (Young Frankenstein), action films (James Bond) historical dramas (*cough*Gladiator*cough*) westerns (*cough*True Grit*cough*), etc…
9. Art display ledge
Another great way to use a ledge is to display your art. You can hang it on the wall or place it on a shelf. And if you’re feeling creative and artsy, you can even turn this into an opportunity to create some of your own wall art!
If you’re more of a bookworm than an artist, then this is another great way for you to display your prized collection. Once again, set up that bookshelf and show off those literary works of art!
Plants make any room look homier and inviting but also add some greenery into the mix which provides oxygen for us humans (and other critters) in our dorm rooms. We love plants because they help clean up toxins in our air quality too!
10. Faux brick wallpaper Dorm Room Wall Decor Ideas
Faux brick wallpaper can be a fun way to decorate your dorm room. It’s easy to make and a great way to add some texture and interest to your walls.
To make this faux brick wallpaper, you’ll need:
- Paper roll(s) of choice (thicker patterned paper works best)
- Paintbrush or roller with extension pole (optional)
11. A DIY paper garland for your dorm room wall decor
A DIY paper garland is a fun way to decorate your dorm room wall without taking up too much space. Making one is simple, but here’s a quick rundown of the basics:
- Decide on what size you’d like your paper garland to be and draw or trace that shape onto your poster board.
- Cut out the shape with an Exacto knife, then glue strips of colorful paper to it in any pattern you like (we chose stripes). You can use all different types and sizes of paper as long as they fit together nicely when folded into a circle!
- Once everything has dried, we hung ours up by attaching a fishing line from our ceiling fan blades all the way down to where it meets our table lamp base along one side (making sure there was enough slack for us to move around freely) before tying it off securely at both ends so nothing could slip away from us during sleepovers later on.
12. Monogram accent wall
Wall art is a great way to personalize your dorm room, but if you’re looking for something that will add a little bit more character, consider monogramming a wall in your space. Monograms are an elegant and stylish way to decorate a space and make it feel unique. They can be used on many types of furniture pieces or even as subtle accents throughout the room. You can choose from wall art such as canvas prints, wood signs, metal plaques, and more!
If you’re looking for ways to incorporate monograms into your dorm room design style without being too overbearing or distracting from other aspects of the room (especially if this is going up in common areas), keeping things subtle with smaller details like throw pillows or picture frames is always an option as well!
13. Washi tape stencils and stickers on your walls or door
Washi tape is one of the easiest and most versatile dorm decorating accessories you can use. It comes in all different colors, patterns, and styles, so you can create a theme or just add a pop of color to your wall. If you’re handy with a pair of scissors or an Exacto knife (and can follow a basic pattern) you can even make your own washi tape art! It’s inexpensive and easy to find at most craft stores, making it an excellent choice for decorating on a budget.
Washi tape stencils are another great way to add some personality to your dorm room decor without breaking the bank. You’ll find them everywhere from Etsy shops like this one to online retailers like Amazon (which has tons). The best part? They’re easy to apply—just peel off the backing paper and stick them onto your walls or door!
14. Paper flowers and garlands for your dorm room wall decor ideas
Paper flowers and garlands are a great way to add color to your dorm room wall decor. You can make them yourself, or purchase them online. For inspiration, check out the ones made by Etsy sellers.
15. Pastel triangle garland
When it comes to dorm room wall decor, you can never have enough triangles. A paper triangle garland is a great way to decorate your walls and add a pop of color without spending too much money. You can also use fabric triangles for the same effect. Or you could try using yarn or fabric and yarn triangles together for an extra-special look.
16. Retro Vinyl Records
- Retro Vinyl Records
You can use an old vinyl record as wall decor in your room. If you want to make it look even more interesting, you can also frame it with a picture frame and hang it on the wall. This way, the record will be an excellent backdrop for a photo backdrop or for a photo collage that includes images of yourself and your friends or family members. You can also use this idea for a photo booth in which people can take funny pictures of themselves with their friends or family members.
If you’re looking for something unique yet affordable, consider using retro vinyl records as background decorations for your dorm room.
17. Flower Wall Decor
- String up some lights. Wall-mounted lights are a great way to add character to your dorm room, and you can get them in all sorts of shapes and sizes. If you’re going for something more classic, try this string of pear-shaped light bulbs on Amazon.
- Go with a garland or wreath. If you want something a little more traditional, but still want to keep it casual and pretty, opt for a flower wreath like this one from Amazon!
- Get fancy with wall decals or murals instead of posters. A mural may be too much work (or money), but wall decals are easy enough—and they look just as good! Try this floral print on Etsy if the idea of painting isn’t appealing; it’ll save time (and maybe even money).
18. Tropical Palm Tree Tapestry
- Tropical Palm Tree Tapestry
Tapestries are one of the easiest dorm room wall decor ideas to implement, and they add a lot of color and style to your dorm room. It’s easy to hang them, store them, clean them, and make new ones if you need more space. There are so many options for this type of decor that we couldn’t possibly list them all here!
19. Fairy Lights and Vine + Flower Garland
Fairy lights and vine + flower garland
This is a great option if you’re looking to create something that will last. It’s a little bit more labor-intensive, but it’s also much more versatile since you can move the fairy lights around if needed. As far as dorm room decor goes, this one is pretty foolproof.
The first thing you’ll need is some fairy lights—you can find them at most craft stores or even dollar stores if you’re looking for an inexpensive option. Next, string all your vines together so they don’t get tangled up along the way; secure them with wire or twist ties (but make sure not to cover up any of the bulbs). Finally, add in your flowers by sticking them directly into the vines or hanging them from a clothespin at each end of each branch (this will also help keep everything nice and neat). Now just hang it on your wall!
20. Lips & Heart Shaped LED Lights
LED light strips are an easy way to add some personality to your dorm room decor. LED lights are low energy and low maintenance, making them a great choice for your dorm. They’re also easy to install, brighten up any area with the touch of a button (or remote), and last forever! The best part? There are so many styles and colors available that you can make sure your new decorations fit perfectly with your style.
LED light strips come in all shapes and sizes, so whether you want to fill up every inch of wall space or just highlight specific areas like windows or beds, there will be an option that fits perfectly into your dorm room.
Conclusion
Whether you’re looking to make a statement with your dorm room wall decor or bring a few finishing touches to the space, these 20 ideas will definitely help you create an inviting and inspiring environment for the upcoming school year!
