Easy Decorating Ideas for a Cozy Dorm Room
How to Make Your Dorm Room Feel Extra Cozy For as Little as $10
As POPSUGAR editors, we independently select and write about stuff we love and think you'll like too. If you buy a product we have recommended, we may receive affiliate commission, which in turn supports our work.
In their most basic state, dorm rooms aren't exactly the most inviting places around. Cold tile and bare-bones walls are functional, but hardly cozy. So, unless you're trying to make "institutional chic" happen, you'll want to bring some of your personal style to the room — and make it a cozy, welcoming spot. To do that, aim to create plush seating areas that you can sink into, accented by texture-rich throws and soft pillows that you can't help but touch.
Not sure where to start? Head to Bed Bath & Beyond, which has a wide variety of ways to transform a blah dorm room into a place where you'll want to linger. We've gathered some of our favorite get-cozy picks, starting at just $10. Read on to get inspired.
UGG Devon 200-Thread-Count Twin XL Sheet Set
College life is busy, but everyone needs to sleep — even if it's only for a few hours each night. Once you slip between the covers of this soft UGG Devon 200-Thread-Count Twin XL Sheet Set ($40), you'll want to stay in bed as long as possible. Just make sure that you don't sleep through Chem 101.
Simply Essential Adjustable Memory Foam Pillow
Oh, and speaking of your bed, you'll want a super-comfy pillow. This Simply Essential Adjustable Memory Foam Pillow ($15) fits the bill, allowing your head to sink in for a superbly restful sleep. And at $15, you won't have to take on another part-time job to pay for it.
Simply Essential Sherpa Bean Bag Chair
How do you make a bean bag even more comfortable? Outfit it in soft, nubby fleece. This Simply Essential Sherpa Bean Bag Chair ($50) is a great place to read, stream Netflix, or play video games. (Don't be surprised if you come home to your dorm room and see your roommate on it.)
Pillow Pad Multi-Angle Lap Desk
Most dorms come with desks and hard chairs, which is useful but — real talk — not the most comfortable. Let yourself stretch out in bed or on the floor with this Pillow Pad Multi-Angle Lap Desk ($20). Plop your tablet on it and you'll be ready to Zoom into remote class, watch the assigned movies for film class, or just zone out to your fave ASMR videos on YouTube.
Therapedic Deluxe Quilted 3-Inch Memory Foam Twin XL Mattress Topper
Yes, this Therapedic Deluxe Quilted 3-Inch Memory Foam Twin XL Mattress Topper ($275) is a splurge, but you don't have to be a math major to understand the cost-per-use value. Spread out over the course of your academic year, this ultra-comfortable and supportive topper adds up to about a dollar per day — and isn't a good night of sleep priceless anyway?
Simply Essential Plush 2'2 x 3'8 Shag Accent Rug
This Simply Essential Plush 2'2 x 3'8 Shag Accent Rug ($10) is cute. It's cozy. It's affordable. What more do you need to know?
Simply Essential Metal Table Lamp
Dorm lighting is functional, but it's not designed to set a *mood*. Change that by adding a soft white bulb to this Simply Essential Metal Table Lamp ($30). Voila: Your room is immediately cozy, and — thanks to the incorporated USB plug — your phone is juiced.
Dormify Fiona Bouclé Lumbar Pillow Cover
Bouclé is having a massive interiors moment right now, likely because this nubby fabric is synonymous with coziness. If you already have a lumbar pillow, slip on this Dormify Fiona Bouclé Lumbar Pillow Cover ($14.50) and get in on the trend.
Everhome Coastal Stripe Throw Blanket
A lightweight throw is one of those must-have decor items that just makes a room feel comfortable. This Everhome Coastal Stripe Throw Blanket ($12.50) is a great dorm-room choice because it resists water and stains, so you won't have to worry about keeping things pristine.
Simply Essential 4-Inch x 8-Inch Smooth Wax LED Pillar Candle
Candles always improve ambiance, but they're a no-go in dorms. (Hello, fire hazard.) Get the look, minus the potential danger, with this Simply Essential 4-Inch x 8-Inch Smooth Wax LED Pillar Candle ($16). It lights up just like a real candle, filling a room with a soft glow — safely.
