Five Prize-Winning College Dorm Room Decor Ideas You Need to See

Decorating a college dorm room can be a daunting task, but these five college students have proven that with a little creativity and planning, you can create a space that not only reflects your personal style but also wins contests on campus. From cottagecore vibes to maximalist boho aesthetics, these students have shared their secrets to creating award-winning dorm rooms on a budget.

Kaitlyn from the University of California, San Diego, created a cohesive cottagecore space with her roommate by sharing Pinterest boards and sticking to a color scheme. They added personal touches like fairy lights and cozy lighting to make their room feel warm and inviting. Kaitlyn recommends maximizing space with storage-friendly furniture and coordinating colors with your roommate to create a unified yet unique space.

Stephanie from Carthage College is a self-proclaimed maximalist who reuses everything to save money. She used Pinterest for inspiration and described her aesthetic as maximalist with boho features. Stephanie recommends investing in dorm room essentials like a mini vacuum, small fridge, and accent pieces that make the room feel like your own.

Catherine from Vassar College decorated her room with her roommate by doing their own thing and using every bit of wall space. They were inspired by contrasting characters in TV shows and created a complementary but distinct color palette. Catherine recommends thrift shopping for decor and using wall decor and lighting to make the room feel inviting.

Gus, also from Vassar College, created a whimsical space with a color scheme that matched their university’s mascot. He used a pink and red color scheme and searched for custom prints and wall art on Etsy. Gus recommends decorating with carefully cluttered art to make the space feel bigger and investing in dorm room essentials like blackout curtains and a headboard.

Ava from the University of Wisconsin, Madison, focused on the details and created a cohesive pink and red color scheme that matched her university’s colors. She recommends investing in dorm room essentials like a desk hutch, blackout curtains, and a headboard to elevate the space. Ava emphasizes the importance of keeping the room clean and reusing decor for future years.

These students have shown that with a little creativity, planning, and attention to detail, you can create a prize-winning dorm room that reflects your personal style and feels like home. Whether you’re a freshman or looking to refresh your space, take inspiration from these award-winning dorm decorators and create an Insta-worthy room of your own.