Get ready for going back to school by securing your decor scheme now. I truly believe that your environment affects your mood and productivity, so set yourself up for back to school success by making a few tweaks to your space. Today, I’ve got 20 back to school decorating ideas for students to ensure that your room or dorm will give you the ultimate space for studying.
20 Back to School Decorating Ideas for Students
1. Plants
The Rath Project
Plants clean the air and and liven up a small space. I believe plants are essential to well-being and really help to add a little zen to the room. Perfect for late night study sessions, right? The more nature you bring into a space, the more at home you will feel.
This is one of the back to school decorating ideas that is too often overlooked. So get yourself some hard to kill plants (like succulents), and watch your mood improve.
2. Decorative Vases
Old Brand New
Vases are an amazing choice for small spaces. They come in so many sizes, colors, and patterns and can be used alone or as part of a group. Flowers, or not, a vase can stand on its own and make your space feel extra special without spending a lot.
3. Adequate Lighting
Brady Tolbert
In interior design, we work with different levels of lighting to create the perfect environment. The main 3 levels of lighting are overhead, ambient, and task. If you live in an older building, you might not have overhead lighting, which will make ambient and task lighting essential.
A properly lit space will make or break the room. If your dorm or space has overhead lighting, chances are it’s pretty harsh. It’s important to set up small table lamps around your space to create a better and more relaxing atmosphere.
4. Cool and Comfy Pillows
Juniper Home
When I was in college, I didn’t have a separate “office” for studying, so my bedroom often acted as a dining room, lounge area, and study space. Comfortable pillows are key to making your bed feel like a sofa and creating a comfortable environment for all of your needs.
5. A Patterned Throw Blanket
Old Brand New
Your space is probably not going to be very large, so it’s important to use textiles to create the atmosphere you want since you may or may not have full control of your furniture. Whether it’s provided furniture in your dorm, or hand me downs from family members, adding colorful textiles is an affordable way to add design elements.
6. Plushy Rug
Shauna Glenn
This is the third textile in this list. Do you get the feeling textiles are important in creating the optimal space? Even if you have carpet, a rug is important because for one thing, that carpet is probably years old and pretty nasty. And secondly, a fun rug grounds your space; it will tie all other design elements together.
7. Fun Curtains
Carly Brandon Designs
I know, I know. You might not be able to put holes in the wall and that’s okay! You can just as easily get a tension curtain rod so no holes will be necessary and no damage will be done to the wall or window. ‘
From a functionality stand point, so much of dorm life or apartment life isn’t private. You probably will have at least one roommate, so providing yourself with a space that you can turn into a serene oasis will be very important for you.
8. Colorful Art
Brian Patrick Flynn
Ah, my favorite part of any space. Again, don’t worry if you can’t put holes in the wall. Get yourself some command hooks for a zero damage way to hang your art. Give your space some personality and create your own little gallery wall. I love abstract art, so start there. Art prints are a super budget friendly as well.
9. Bedding that Rocks
Bed Bath & Beyond
I’m going to keep coming back to the importance of textiles when you are a student. There are very few things about your space that you can control, so in order for a space to feel like it’s truly your home, you need to take full advantage of what you can choose for yourself. Bedding is a great way to give your room a personality.
10. A Proper Workspace
My Domaine
If you have a dorm, you have a desk already provided, and chances are, that desk sucks. But, what can you control on your desk? You can get yourself a nice thrifted and unique chair on the cheap and get some office supplies that make tasks a little less dreary.
11. Desk Organizational System
Old Brand New
Some tasks are just better at a desk, so it’s important to have that option. You’re not going to want to live on your bed every time you’re in your room. Get yourself organized, and don’t forget to accessorize with small decor items like plants, objects, and art.
Back to school decorating ideas must blend function and fashion. You want your space to look like home, but still carry out different activities.
12. Floor pillows
Wayfair
Think about it, in your dorm, your bedroom will also be your home office, guest space, yoga studio, dining room, and your space for entertaining. Your friends will be eating pizza on your pristine white bedding and it will be terrible.
To prevent this from happening, we can set up other areas to encourage friends to gather on comfy places other than your bed. This is also a great way to create a quiet space like a meditation area.
13. Switch out Your Dorm’s Nightstand
Urban Outfitters
This is also one of the back to school decorating ideas that is not utilized enough. Dorm furniture is the worst; it’s a known fact. So why not switch out what you can? You can use your dorm’s nightstand as a closet organizer and never have to look at that unsightly thing again. Alternately, there is storage somewhere in your building, and maybe even a storage room on your floor. Just ask your RA.
Pro Tip: I suggest documenting that your nightstand is being stored; just so at the end of the year, you are not responsible for replacing the “missing” nightstand. Mistakes happen all the time with so many students, so protect yourself and your liabilities.
14. Coffee/Tea/Alcohol Bar
House Beautiful
A bar cart or at least a bar area on top of a desk is a great way to add convenience as well as personalize your space. You’ll probably be dealing with all nighters, so a coffee or tea station to share will be a great addition. You can stock your bar with sparkling waters and anything else that might make you feel extra luxe.
15. Wooden Accents
The Rath Project
Like plants, adding wood to your space creates a more relaxed atmosphere. As far as back to school decorating ideas go, adding natural elements is perhaps the most important thing to do to give yourself the best space for a successful year.
16. Create Boundaries Using Decor
Sugar & Cloth
Now, I consider myself pretty well versed in small space design (living in NYC an all). A great way to elevate your room to the next level is to break it up visually with decor. This is why adding different textiles such as floor pillows will help to make the space feel larger than it already is, and allow you to give your room multiple functions.
17. Coordinate design style with your roommate
Brady Tolbert
Coordinating your decor style with your roommate will help give the room some cohesiveness. Great design will have a flow to it, so explore what style you and your roommate would like to have, and try to select items that work well together.
You don’t have to match completely, because having an eclectic space is awesome, but thing of your items as parts of a whole. These back to school decorating ideas will set your space a part from the rest with its versatility and personality.
18. A Deliberate (and stylish) Catch All
Emily Henderson
A mud room, laundry room, foyer, call it whatever you want, but all homes have them. You need a place to dump your stuff when you come in. Having a designated space for your shoes, bags, coats, and umbrellas may seem like one of the most boring back to school decorating ideas, but it will also help you maintain a clean and organized space.
19. Personalized Storage
Urban Outfitters
You’ll need to get creative with your storage, especially in a dorm room. Depending on the size of your space, a clothes rack might be suitable. You can also get clear acrylic boxes and trays to organize your makeup, skincare, and jewelry would give you a visually pleasing organizational system. Get creative in finding solutions for your lifestyle.
20. Removable Wallpaper
Justina Blakeney
As with anything that claims to be temporary or removable, it’s still not a great idea to cover your entire space with something that could be damaging. Putting up removable wallpaper around your space will add personality. You can make a faux headboard, line the backs of your bookcase, or the inside of your drawers for some extra fun.
What are your favorite back to school decorating ideas? Any small space or storage hacks you swear by? I wish everyone a happy and successful school year. Happy decorating!
-Kristen
More inspiration
- Drew Barrymore Launches Flower Home at Walmart
- Beautiful Blue Living Rooms
- How to Use Klein Blue in Your Home
- Brighten Up a Moody Room