College Dorm Room Wall Decor Ideas

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Summer is here, which means you should start prepping for the first day of school ASAP. Give yourself ample time to plan your dorm room décor! We’ve created the ultimate guide to dorm room wall décor to help you create a stylish space. From the latest trends to inspiring ideas, this article will give you the complete rundown on how to design your dorm room.

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Top Trending Wall Décor for Dorms

Plan Your Dorm Room Décor

College Wall Décor: Shapes & Layouts

Dorm Room Wall Ideas: Size Guide

Top Trending Styles

Choosing Colors for College

Top Trending Wall Décor for Dorms

Collegiate wall art doesn’t have to be bland! Fill your dorm with contrasting textures and various eye-catching colors. Wall art is a great way to tie together the décor on your side of the room. Your décor options are pretty much limited to your bed and the surrounding wall, so make the most of your personal space! Rather than a few small photos tacked above your headboard, make a statement with an oversized canvas. Swap your boring college bedding for something trendier like velvet or woven fabrics. Avoid clutter in your space, and let your décor be the center of attention. Try organizational décor like under-bed storage and floating shelves. As a final touch, make sure your dorm room is well-lit by swapping your cool lightbulbs for something softer and warmer!

Boho Dorm Décor for Walls

One of the top design trends for 2023 is bohemian décor. If you consider yourself a free spirit, boho décor is for you! Inspired by adventure and the beauty of nature, this style is ideal for dorm rooms. Experiment with natural textiles and organic details like live plants to give your dorm room a refreshing boost. Add wooden details for a unique touch, and finish your space with a large boho-style print. Another great aspect of boho décor is that it can be easily combined with minimalism. That means you don’t need to add a lot of pieces to make an impact! Plus, minimalism is a great way to save money. Don’t break the bank before you’ve even moved in! Choose a few key pieces, like a piece of wall art and decorative bedding, and keep the rest of your space sleek and chic. Experiment with soft shades like dusty rose, peach, beige, and sage green.

Explore inspiring wall décor for dorm rooms >>

Plan Your Dorm Room Décor

Consider how to make the most of a compact space. While you might not have a large surface area to decorate in your dorm room, you can still add a splash of style. The goal is to make your space feel like yours, even if it’s shared.

Dorm Room Décor: Pro Tips

Reference this passage from our expert article on how to make the most of décor in small spaces:

“It’s all in the details when it comes to making a tiny space feel like home. Because you can’t decorate with many pieces of furniture, focus on wall décor. Hang floating shelves to display your favorite accessories, and use antiques to add character to your space. Opt for hanging plants to add a hint of nature to your interior. Most importantly, use wall art for the ultimate space-saving décor.”

Discover dorm room wall décor ideas >>

College Wall Décor: Shapes & Layouts

When you start your search for dorm room artwork, it’s crucial to decide which shape best fits your space. Choose from our selection of layouts below:

Chic and Classic: The Single-Panel Rectangle or Single-Panel Square

Traditional with a Trendy Twist: The Single-Panel Vertical Canvas or the Single-Panel Panoramic Canvas

Balanced but Bold: The Triptych Tri-Panel Canvas or the Symmetrical Five-Panel Canvas

Modern and Eye-Catching: The Split Two-Piece Canvas or the Four-Panel “Wave” Canvas

Daring and Funky: The 7-Piece Hexagonal Canvas Set

Dorm Room Décor: Pro Tips

We have a whole article on how to hang your chosen canvas the right way. Here’s an excerpt to get you started:

“A common mistake is not hanging the artwork flush with the wall. A canvas that sticks out too far can cheapen the overall look of your space. Attention to detail is crucial when crafting a well-curated interior. If your nail is sticking out and causing a gap between your canvas and the wall, it can be distracting to onlookers. A flush frame or canvas is especially important when creating a gallery wall or hanging a multi-panel piece.”

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Dorm Room Wall Ideas: Size Guide

The next step is to choose your canvas size. We’ve pulled a couple helpful hints from our ultimate wall art size guide below:

Because your dorm room is a small space, consider this size meant for narrow hallways:

IDEAL FOR THE HALLWAY: 36"X75"

Large wall art that measures 36 inches by 75 inches in height and width can create a polished, classic look in your hallway. This wall art size works well in long hallways as well as over your entertainment area.

Another popular space to hang artwork is above your dorm bed. Follow this paragraph on how to select wall art to hang above furniture:

ABOVE FURNITURE

Wall art that you want to hang over furniture, such as a fireplace, a bed or a couch, should be between 2/3 and 3/4 of the furniture's width. To measure the ideal art size above your furniture, consider this example: If your couch is 6 feet wide, multiply it by 0.66 and 0.75. You would need a canvas between 3.96 feet and 4.5 feet wide to fit impressively above your sofa or large piece of furniture.

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Top Trending Styles

When it comes to trending styles, consider the “Abstract Human Figure” trend, curated by art director, Tirzah Goodman. This collection is modern and edgy, with a simple sophistication. If you want something even edgier, consider graffiti-style wall art for a grungy look.

Dorm Room Décor: Pro Tips

ElephantStock's interior design expert Elimar Lobo Sáenz suggests consulting your roommate and asking if they would like to design the room together. You can create a cohesive color palette, or even reach a common décor theme. If you’re not close with your roommate, you can define the borders of your space to create separation and avoid a cluttered, eclectic space. If the borders of the room are clearly marked, your dorm room will look cleaner and more intentional.

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Choosing Colors for College

College is all about having fun and trying new things. Dare to be bold with your color palette. Choose vibrant wall art that pops!

Dorm Room Décor: Pro Tips

Interior design expert Elimar Lobo Sáenz shares a color-specific design tip:

“[With the emphasis on light and bright minimalism] red may seem like a surprising shade for 2023. However, there are a wide range of shades available. You can introduce red into your color scheme without going overboard. A splash of red represents spontaneity, ambition, and passion.”