When my freshman year roommate Laura (also a blogger) sent me this picture of our dorm room and asked me to do a post with her redesigning it I thought it was a great idea. And I was absolutely HORRIFIED by what I saw. I cannot remember it looking like this- a tapestry with Ralph Lauren floral bedding? Stacked plastic crates? Had I not gotten contacts yet? UGH! What I do remember was that it was the smallest dorm room in history! There wasn’t Target, IKEA and the like to allow us to decorate cleverly on a budget. So here is my room re-do utilizing all the amazing resources out there today for parents and kids looking to make their dorm rooms look lovely without going broke (after all, in true college fashion, you’ll want to throw oout most of it at the end of the year from it’s pure nastiness).
A pair of large graphic chinoiserie (removable) wall decals would go on the slanted ceiling to make it feel like there were birds and branches overhead. No damage to the wall and a clever way to make a room like this look beautiful and custom! I’d use this one in brown with pink birds.
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Instead of the ubiquitous college futon I would splurge on this daybed from West Elm (using the school provided twin mattress to save $$) so it could serve as a sofa for friends as well as a bed- leaving plenty of room underneath for underbed storage, which I really needed!
I obviously was in need of more storage than just underbed, so I’d get this Expedit bookcase and put it on the floor lengthwise next to the bed under the slanted ceiling so it could serve as a nightstand and a place to put books and stuff- I’d add a few baskets to conceal clutter. I’d also top it with a cute little light for reading and homework
Can you believe this adorable orange and white trellis bedding is from Walmart?
These gorgeous throw pillows from Etsy are made of vintage dress fabric and are $40! Love them!And with some solid pink pillows from Target they would make a lovely little ensemble!
To feel cozy on the feet on those chilly New England mornings in the old drafty dorm, a sheepskin rug
A graphic Audrey canvas would go on the wall above the bed in homage to my style guru. Laura mentions that we would probably both have Robert Pattinson posters up considering we both are obsessed with Twilight, even as 30 year olds. I would vote that we go all the way and get the life size stand up cut out to share. So he could serve a purpose (as all items in a small room should) we could use him to keep all our necklaces and scarves on. Thanks Rob!
This fun little mirror would go above the desk to assist in primping for a night out on campus and nearby a little zebra (it is ME after all) bulletin board for pics and reminders.
Thanks for the post suggestion Laura (her room redo here)- I only WISH our room could have looked like this then!
Good morning!
One of my favorite sites for wall graphics is whatisblik.com I was introduced to this site by one of my friends after viewing her chandelier graphic on her bedroom wall. Check it out if you have yet to see it.
Great idea for a post. As someone who grew up with five siblings, I wish Target had been around during my college days.
I can't believe that bedding is from Walmart.
Is that JA? My disaster of a dorm room was similar — too many Laura Ashley flowers, milk crates and the ubiquitous Monet posters.
Mine was similar but my ralph beeding was a yellow floral, and the crates, of course…
Hilarious post! I think I need to keep my pics of the college dorm rooms under wrap. Laura Ashley and all. Last week I got to meet your old roomie!
Love it! The bedding is fantastic and you know I'd be totally on board with a life-size Edward. Thanks for co-posting Erin! It was fun to take a little trip in the time machine. :)
A very nice post!
I love the orange and white bedding! Just gorgeous!
Greet
Ha! Love this! At least you escaped the giant flashing neon beer sign trend and the 3 stacked mini-fridges. I too share the disbelief over the bedding- awesome!
Loving that wall decal.
Go ahead, wal-mart!
You must be around my age. I graduated college in 2002. My freshman year room was identical. I am pretty sure we had the exact same tapestry AND Ralph Lauren quilt.
I remember there being Target's around. I just don't remember them carrying much in the home decor area.
My senior year apartment wasn't much better. Now that I own a place I always ask myself, "Does this remind you of your college apartment?" If the answer is Yes that I don't buy it.
LOVE this post! I really wish we had these kinds of options back when I was in college (the best we could do was head into town to the poster shop)! I'm sending this to my cousin who is a freshman in college ASAP!
What a fun post! My source for dorm room decor in 1999 was Linens 'n Things. My mom and I must have made twenty trips there. For years I couldn't go back there in the summer time without flinching.
Hilarious dorm room! It's so weird to look back, isn't it? I thought my room was insanely cool and looking back it was a hot orange, pink, and green mess.
I love all of your suggestions. I am ordering the duvet set from Walmart ASAP. Great find!
Some great ideas here…I am inspired to help re do my son's university room after reading this. Love the day bed…xv
What a funny post! Although I can envision every detail of both my dorm room and sorority room…I need to go dig up some pictures. Horrifying! As someone that is anti-floral and anti-matching store bought sets of things…I had lots of both!
I loveyour blog! I have a daughter who is moving from her dorm (after fall semester) to her first college apt. I am so getting that bedding for her room! Thanks for the dorm deco.
ok. i think you're the coolest person. cheesy, but true.
Fantastic picks! I'm paralyzed in shock that the bedding is from Wal-Mart of all places!
Oh, the decals are such a great idea! Dorm life was so wretched, I wish I knew your blog ten years ago!!
I NEED HELP!! So I think Im going to order the bedding from Walmart. Would you add any other colors with it or keep the rest of the bedding white???
OMG! what a riot. i esp. love the twinkle lights wrapped on the pipes!! my dorm room was so dark and horrible – but i did have a view of the ocean so i couldn't complain. love your make-over. good job! i think you should offer this service to all the young gals just starting out in their dorm rooms…. dorm chic!
Really great post :) I absolutely love the wall decals, the daybed, & those pink pillows :)