Home & Design

12 Dorm Design Ideas That Even Adults Can Love

Because saving space and money never goes out of style.

By Sarah Rufca Nielsen July 27, 2017

Ultimate Footboard Storage

This is a great solution for small rooms that won't easily fit a bedside table—or for people who are simply living their best bed life. $25 at PB Teen.

Threshold Standing Ladder/Floor Miror in Walnut

Everyone needs a place where you can store clothing that's not quite clean but not quite ready for the dirty clothes bin, and the floor doesn't count. Combine it with a standing mirror and you've got a space-saving problem solver. $56.99, at Target.

Modway CAD Wire Dining Chair

This is meant to be a dining chair, but Bed Bath & Beyond also thinks it would make a great desk chair, and we agree. $89.99 at Bed Bath & Beyond.

Shiplap Peel & Stick NuWallpaper

Renter problems are a lot like dorm problems—e.g., what do I do if I can't touch the walls? That's where vinyl peel-and-stick wallpaper comes in. And you know the faux shiplap pattern is Joanna Gaines approved. $45 at PB Teen.

Studio 3B Gooseneck Table Lamp with USB Port

If you buy the right desk lamp in college, you could literally use it for the rest of your life. No pressure! $39.99 at Bed Bath & Beyond.

Flokati Faux Fur Throw Pillow

If $15 pink furry pillows are wrong, I don't want to be right. $14.99-$24.99 at Bed Beth & Beyond.

Room Essentials Black Wall Hanging

The more you can store on the walls, the less crowded your furniture will be. This minimalist hanging accent could hold earrings, photos or anything, really. $18.99 at Target.

Emily & Merritt Circus Stripe Rug

This black-and-white, goes-with-everything rug from PB Teen is under $700 even for an 8x10, which is more than enough for most modest rooms. Not exactly cheap, but try making those numbers happen at OG Pottery Barn. $169-$699 at PB Teen.

Emily & Merritt Bow Chair

There are two things that I demand of any vanity chair: it must not take up too much space, and it must be cute as a button. Check and check. $269 at PB Teen.

Room Essentials White Utility Cart

This IKEA knockoff is the ultimate multi-tasker—I use a similar one to store my beauty tools in the bathroom and another as a makeshift bar cart. $24.99 at Target.

Woven Storage Totes in Gold

If there's ever a time in your life where you don't need a couple of stylish baskets lying around, I have yet to experience it. $7.99-$14.99 at Bed Bath & Beyond.

Mercury Luggage 31-Inch Storage Trunk

It's a coffee table. It's storage. It has wheels. What else could you ask of a piece of furniture for under $100? $89.99 at Bed Bath & Beyond.

Congratulations—graduating from college means never having to purchase twin XL sheets again. But even if your bean bag chair/mini fridge/boho-tapestry-hung-on-a-cinderblock-wall days are over, there's plenty of dorm decor that's perfect for anyone who is short on space, storage or money. And that's basically all of us, right?

Dorms, Home Decor, Colleges

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12 Dorm Design Ideas That Even Adults Can Love

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