The Ultimate Boho Dorm Decorating Guide – 15 Essential tips!
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The Ultimate Guide on How to Transform Your Dorm Room into a Bohemian Retreat on a Budget!
For some of us, it may be a few years since we hung out on campus (ahem)😅. But for many others out there, it’s time to start thinking about going back to school!
So dear reader, have you thought about how you want to decorate your dorm room yet?
If not, how does the idea of a boho dorm room sound? It’s such a great look! If you’re on board, let’s talk about some affordable ways you can make one sweet boho dorm room!
There are tons of options out there for decorating your dorm nowadays, I’m actually super jealous! You can go all in, or just grab a couple of things to personalize your room.
Your dorm room is where you go every day to unwind and escape (the often crazy) campus life. It’s also where you want to feel at home and able to focus on important tasks like studying and catching up on sleep 😴.
Any style you end up choosing will be great, but the boho look is really cute for dorms!
I found a fantastic collection of back to school items for you from Wayfair that won’t break the bank, that will help turn your dorm room into a boho paradise! I love shopping online on Wayfair – they really are hard to beat when it comes to how fast their shipping is and their amazing selection of products! I hope you’ll love the back to school essentials I chose below, and don’t forget to head on over there to browse their thousands of items for yourself!
How to Achieve Ultimate boho dorm vibes!
Ok so if you don’t know where to start, let’s talk a little about what boho style is. It can be dark and moody (leaning more Dark Academia), or light and airy. But regardless of whether you choose to go with a darker or a lighter palette, bohemian style is casual, comfy and laid back. Bohemian decor also usually feels lived in, eclectic and comfortable.
For an in-depth read about how to get the boho look, you can also check out this article !
Another important aspect of the boho look is having pieces that make a space feel “lived in”. Rattan and wicker pieces help to achieve this feeling. The material is tactile and comforting.
The point of boho is good vibes, so infuse those good vibes into your boho dorm room by picking items you truly love! You and your friends will really enjoy hanging out in your room if you just focus on making it cozy.
1. Illuminate with Distinctive Boho Lamps
And speaking of creating a cozy and inviting ambiance in your boho dorm room, let’s talk about the importance of lamps! A great lamp not only adds a touch of style to your space but also serves as functional piece that can enhance your overall dorm room experience. Whether you need some extra light for studying late at night or you want to create a warm and relaxing atmosphere for winding down after a long day of classes, cute table lamps and floor lamps are a total must!
To help make my office super productive and cozy, I’ve added a chic floor lamp that Wayfair generously sent my way. Wayfair offers a variety of lamp styles, including some incredibly captivating boho-inspired designs. From cozy rock salt lamps emitting a soothing orange glow to stunning Moroccan lanterns adding a dash of exotic charm, there’s something for everyone.
So, don’t forget to include a cute lamp to your list of boho dorm essentials! And don’t be afraid to get something fun that will inject some personality into your dorm!
2. Add Comfort with Poufs and Bohemian Floor Pillows
Poufs are the greatest, you will end up using yours all the time.
Throw a few poufs and/or big flat floor pillows around your room. This will soften your space, and will provide extra seating when you need it that is super inviting and comfortable. You can also use ottomans as handy little side tables or extra seating. I love the woven one in the picture above. It’s the perfect little perch for your mug of coffee!😊
Tap on any of the images below to shop!
3. Hang Bohemian Tapestries for Instant Artistic Flair
Tapestries look phenomenal when hanging over the head of your bed. Especially if you don’t have a headboard! You could also hang one on the wall over your desk. Tapestries look great on any bare wall that needs some love!
You could also hang large posters, but paper art always tends to look better when framed, and that can get pricey. Tapestries make such an awesome statement. They are much more affordable when you compare them to large artwork.
Shop for lightweight tapestries. That way you can hang them easily with command strips, since you probably won’t be able to put any holes in your wall.
4. Organize with Style: Seagrass Storage Baskets
Combine storage and style. Add a little texture to your room with some seagrass storage baskets. You can place them under your bed for extra storage or use them as a stylish accent piece. No matter how you decide to utilize them, seagrass storage baskets are an easy way to add some charm to your space.
5. Infuse Life with Cute Planters & Indoor Plants
Consider adding some plants to your boho dorm and put them in some planters. You CAN keep those plants alive! 💪 I promise that it’s easier than you think! Or you can just get artificial plants instead, the green will still be super cheery and you’ll love it.
Plants are one of the cheapest and most effective ways to add some interest to a room! I say cheapest because once you learn the basics of propagating plants, you’ll have an endless supply of free plants! Here are some of my favorite plants that grow in water and here are some of the absolute easiest plants to grow, even in low light.
Hanging plants are also an option. A macrame plant hanger with a low maintenance pothos or spider plant would look great in a boho style dorm! Hanging plants are an awesome idea if you’re short on space but still want a pop of greenery in your room. If you want to DIY a macrame hanging planter, here’s a great, very easy DIY macrame hanging planter from Sarah over at SarahMaker! The tutorial is beginner-friendly and includes clear instructions along with pictures for each step to help you easily understand the process. Plus, it’s a great way to add a boho touch to your dorm room!
6. Select a Versatile Bedside Table for Your Boho Room
If you have the space for it, get yourself a bedside table! There are a million ways you can use it. If it has a drawer, you can store nighttime essentials inside it. Place a tray on it and use that spot as a designated place for phone, keys and wallet, or just put your alarm clock on it. And of course, you always need a spot to put your coffee! Find a pretty marble or woven coaster and you’re set!
Here are a few night tables that would look lovely in a dorm room, aren’t too pricey, and wouldn’t take up too much space! You could also go for a little round table, or even just a small stool, if you’re really tight on space.
7. Cozy Up with Throw Blankets and Boho-inspired Pillows
Pretty boho throws are perfect for a chillier day when you don’t want to get in bed, but you still need a layer of warmth. I would recommend having at least a couple. When you’re not using them, you can store them in a pretty basket, drape them over a chair, or the foot of your bed. That will help create an extra layer of coziness, which is exactly the look we’re going for!
When it comes to throw pillows on the other hand, the more the better is always the rule when you’re decorating boho style! Pile 3 or 4 cute throw pillows that play well with each other on your bed and it will instantly become much more appealing. For tips on how to pair throw pillows, check out this post!
Look for kantha or kilim pillows and anything with lots of color, texture and pattern. Cute round bolster and lumbar pillows are nice to throw into the mix as well. Wayfair has a special back to school deal where you can buy a Pillow and get a second for 50% off (running from 7/20 – 8/13) so now is the time to pick up those pillows you’ve been eyeing!
8. Choose a Stylish Yet Functional Hamper
Hide your dirty laundry in style with a posh basket hamper. Lidded hampers work best if you want to keep things looking neat and tidy.
9. Opt for a Full-Size Mirror to Amplify Space
You won’t realize you need a full-size mirror until the exact moment you realize you don’t have one! You don’t have to hang it; you can prop it up against the wall for a casual chic look.
Mirrors enlarge a space and will also reflect your superior decorating taste 😉
10. Add Texture with Bohemian Rugs
Add an extra layer of cozy to your room with a pretty rug (or two!). For a boho vibe, look for a vintage-inspired rug that looks a little distressed. Kilim style rugs with bright colors and bold patterns work well also. If you can layer a couple, even better!
You can bring your rug back home with you and use it in other rooms.
11. Set the Mood with Flameless Candles & Boho String Lights
There is nothing cozier than hanging some string lights around your bed or near your desk! Wayfair has over 1000+ different string lights on their website – it’s impossible not to find one you like!
And you won’t be able to light real candles in your dorm room, but you can still emulate the real thing with these flameless pillar candles! They look so real, you’d only be able to tell from really close up – the flames even wiggle!
12. Personalize Your Space with Removable Wallpaper
Take the edge off those clinical white dorm walls and hang some fun removable wallpaper!
This small but impactful change can drastically transform the aesthetics of your room, making it feel more like a personalized sanctuary rather than just another dorm.
Removable wallpaper, also known as peel-and-stick wallpaper, offers an ideal solution for dorm dwellers. As the name suggests, it’s easy to install and just as easy to remove. That means you can change up your design whenever inspiration strikes, without worrying about breaking the dorm rules.
There’s an enormous range of designs available online, from intricate mandalas and lush botanical prints to minimalist geometric patterns and bold, vibrant colors. So, no matter what your boho style is – earthy, colorful, or minimalistic – there’s a wallpaper out there that perfectly matches your vibe.
And the best part is it will be zero hassle to take it down when the year is out. Alternatively, if you don’t want to hang peel and stick wallpaper, you could always use a tension rod and hang some curtains to cover those unsightly cinderblock walls.
13. Make Studying Comfy with a Handy Lap Desk
Get some late-night studying done in bed (or some Netflix) with one of these trusty little lap desks.
A lap desk is a game-changer for late-night study sessions or cozy movie marathons. It’s a versatile piece that not only enhances comfort but also ensures that your laptop has a sturdy base, providing proper ventilation and avoiding overheating issues.
When it comes to choosing a lap desk, there are a few things to consider. First and foremost, you want something that’s comfortable to use. Look for a lap desk with a padded bottom to protect your legs from the heat of your laptop. Some lap desks even come with adjustable angles and heights, allowing you to customize your setup according to your comfort.
Next, think about the size. Ensure that the lap desk is big enough to accommodate your laptop but small enough to store away when not in use. Some lap desks even come with extra features like a slot for your tablet or phone, a mouse pad, or a cup holder for that essential study-time coffee or late-night snack.
A lap desk can also add to your room’s decor. You can find them in various materials like bamboo, plastic, or metal, and in different colors and patterns to match your boho theme. It’s an excellent opportunity to infuse your personal style into a practical item.
14. Energize Your Mornings with a Compact Coffee Maker
Obviously having a little coffee machine is not going to add to your boho dorm room decor! But remember, you want your space to be comfortable and laid back for you and your guests, and if coffee doesn’t help with that, I don’t know what does! You also may find you start to have more guests because of your coffee machine, lol! ☕
Any time it comes to coffee, I recommend buying the Nespresso Vertuo with the Aeroccino milk frother … because, well, I can’t live without mine. 😅 I use it multiple times a day, every day of the year, and it never lets me down. I get that it’s a bit of an investment for a college student, but it’s amazing quality and well worth it!
If you have a little bit more space and you’re serious about your coffee, then check out these coffee station decorating ideas!
Looking stock up on kitchen essentials for Back to School? Wayfair has you covered with an amazing deal! Buy 3 Kitchen Essentials and save 20% off from 7/20 – 8/13. Check out everything on sale right here!
15. Keep Snacks and Drinks Cool with a Mini Fridge
Having a mini fridge in your dorm room is a great way to keep snacks, drinks, and meals close at hand. Not only will it save you trips to the grocery store or cafeteria, but it also ensures your food stays fresher for longer! With a mini fridge, you can keep everything from drinks to meals ready-to-eat. Plus, you can store leftovers for later. It’s a great way to save money and time while at school.
Boho and retro go together like two peas in a pod! So I had to share these mini fridges because they are beyond awesome. These mini refrigerators would be a fantastic combination of form and function.
Now that you have all these boho dorm room decor ideas, it’s time to get planning! And don’t forget to have a kick-ass year in your sweet new boho dorm room!
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