If you’re going back to college and looking to style your dorm, wall art is one of the easiest ways to decorate. These dorm wall decor ideas are perfect to spruce up your college dorm room walls and give life to a small drab living space.
Whether you’re looking for inspiration for decorating a dorm room or ready to pick out some cute wall decor pieces to fit your style, this post breaks down the cutest ways to style your dorm walls!
This site contains affiliate links, view the disclaimer for more information. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases at no added cost to you.
![](https://i0.wp.com/easylikemonday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/IMG_4598.jpg?resize=826%2C1024&ssl=1)
This post is all about the best dorm wall decor ideas for college students!
How can you style a dorm wall?
When it comes to styling your dorm room wall, there are tons of dorm wall decor ideas to choose from. These include tapestries or flags (if they’re allowed), neon signs, pictures, or photo collages to tie the space together. You’ll want to choose items that compliment your dorm bedding set and your overall aesthetic.
For example, if you decide on a preppy theme, you’ll likely want to opt for bright-colored decorations such as aquas, pinks, oranges, and whites. On the other hand, if you’re going for a boho dorm room theme you might choose more neutral and minimalistic wall decor pieces that are less bold, yet help make the space look cozy and cohesive.
What are the steps for choosing the right dorm wall decorations?
Step one is to look for dorm room inspiration and ideas and choose the overall aesthetic or look you want to go for. Some dorm room themes or styles you can go for include modern, girly, boho, preppy, chic, or minimalistic.
Step two is to check what’s allowed in your dorm. You can usually go right to your college’s website to check your room guidelines. There may be rules about what items you’re allowed to have and restrictions on certain items such as the number of hanging lights allowed or the percentage of the wall that’s allowed to be covered.
Step three is to pick out specific decorations that fit your overall aesthetic. Look for dorm room inspiration and then decide on pieces of similar colors that would look good together. The goal is to pick some cute key pieces that go together. Don’t try to overdo it. If you’re going to hang a big flag, you might not want to also hang tons of photos. Or, if you create a wall collage, you may not need to spruce up the rest of your wall with tons of other random decorations like signs. At the end of the day, it’s totally up to you. Less is sometimes more when it comes to decorating a small space, but don’t be afraid to get creative and have fun with it!
Dorm Room Wall Decor Ideas
![](https://i0.wp.com/easylikemonday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/IMG_4593.jpg?resize=828%2C1022&ssl=1)
Three Piece Wall Art Sets
When it comes to decorating your dorm room, a set of three art pieces is perfect to fill up the space. It’ll give your room some character and won’t leave a ton of bare areas. When picking a set of three, you have a ton of options to choose from. Here are some of my favorites from Amazon that I think are so cute to add to any dorm room wall.
Collage Kits
Collage kits are such a fun way to decorate. They’re essentially a set of pictures that you can purchase, typically around 50 per set that come unframed on poster or cardstock paper. You can tape them up on your dorm wall and arrange them however you choose. There are so many different themes and styles you can find out there, but these are some of my favorite color combinations. I love the aesthetic of these ones! They’d look adorable in a preppy or girly room to fill the wall space by your bed.
Blue Beach Collage Kit Set of 100
Gallery Art
The next option for dorm wall decor is gallery art. Gallery sets typically include six or more art pieces that you can stack in rows or arrange randomly on your wall to fill the space even more. Amazon is filled with gallery art to choose from. You simply purchase the prints and frame them yourself, or if you want to save time you can choose the framed options (although they’re pricier). I included both framed and unframed gallery art sets that you can choose from. I thought these were some of the cutest ones to decorate with that’d give a ton of character to your room!
Neon Signs
A neon sign is another super trendy and cute way to decorate your dorm room walls. You can find customizable signs to put your name or custom phrases on your wall. Neon signs are an incredibly easy way to make your dorm room space more unique. Also, the bright colors in the evening will be super cozy above your bed and add to the overall ambiance of your room.
Peel and Stick Wallpaper
One of my favorite trendy dorm wall decor ideas is wallpaper. Peel-and-stick wallpaper is such an easy and cute way to make your space your own and really deck it out. When choosing wallpaper, be conscious of what pattern you choose. The busier the pattern and the bolder the colors, the more attention it’ll draw. In a small space, sometimes less is more. A simple pattern is a great way to compliment your space, without taking away from the rest of your dorm decor and making your dorm feel too busy or overdone. It’s also a good idea to check your dorm room dimensions before purchasing it to determine what size you’ll need exactly. You’ll also want to buy a smoothing kit for easy application and to prevent bubbles or wrinkles when you stick it down.
Tapestries
If you want to fill the space on your dorm room wall with something cute and decorative, a tapestry is a great option. They come in so many different designs and patterns that’ll fit tons of different styles. They’ll brighten up a lackluster dorm room and make it feel cozy and home-like. I had a white and blue tie-dye canvas tapestry when I was in college. I couldn’t find the exact one I have on Amazon anymore, unfortunately. It’s hanging in my bedroom now since I love the pop of color that it gives. You’ll just want to double-check your dorm’s guidelines since tapestries aren’t allowed on the dorm walls at some schools.
Metal Signs
Another cute college dorm wall decor idea is to hang up signs. These can be cute metal signs or signs with quotes on them. You can hang them on your door, above your desk, or by bed to give your space some character. I love bold and bright signs since I think they’re such a fun way to give your dorm a girly and retro vibe.
Macramé Wall Decor
If you’re a boho girl, this dorm wall decor idea is for you. Macramé is woven and knotted rope that’s often made into intricate hanging wall pieces. They’re typically an off-white color that you can easily hang beside your bed or desk in your dorm room. They’re ideal for boho-style dorm rooms and will give your room a cozier feel.
Personal Photo Displays
The next dorm wall decor idea is perfect for girls who really want to personalize their space and add a touch of home since it’s easy to get homesick in college.
Between missing your parents, hometown friends, and pets, it’s easy to get lonely. When I went to school, hanging personal photos was one of the ways that helped me feel closer to all the people I missed. You can use one of these photo displays on the wall by your bed or desk. Just clip your pictures on or hang them up so you’ll be reminded of home daily when you go back to your dorm.
Mirrors
A little secret, mirrors can actually make a small living space look bigger than it actually is. I think hanging mirrors are incredibly chic and such an easy way to decorate, especially if you’re unsure of where to start. They tie a room together and can easily open up a space. The circular hanging ones are my favorite. They make rooms look super cute and elegant. The best part, they can suit any style!
Overall, decorating your walls is one of the best parts about moving into your college dorm room. It’s such a fun way to get creative, experiment with your style, and really customize your space however you like. There are so many different directions you can go when it comes to decorating so don’t be afraid to have fun with the dorm decorating process! These dorm wall decor ideas will get you started making your dorm space your own and make it feel like your home away from home. Let us know what dorm decorations you pick and if there are any more that you think of!