Whether you’re attending college or university, you’re going to be spending about two thirds of your year in your own dorm room. You need a Dorm Room Design that is practical, cheap and expresses who you are!

It should be a place for you to relax, study, and entertain – just like your bedroom at home.

Of course, you have a much smaller space to work with, and a student’s budget, so the idea of decorating your dorm room may seem challenging – especially if you have a roommate.

Just remember to get together with your roommate before you move in and decide on a design style together.

You can design your dorm room with inexpensive, yet fun & funky pieces if you get creative and think outside the box!

The first piece to consider is your sleeping space – what kind of bed should you choose for your dorm room? If you like the idea of a couch by day and a bed by night, you can opt for a futon or a convertible bed.

The Elite Products – Mali-Flex Futon Frame and Mattress Set in Coal-Pewter futon comes with its own mattress and its arms fold out to transform from a loveseat to a bed. For something with a little more flair,

try the Lifestyle Solutions Fashion Hardwood Dio Convertible Futon in Java. The unique horizontal slats in the arms make the futon a cool focal point. A convertible bed is different from a futon simply because of its folding method – they normally have a click-clack function that moves them into a sleeping position.

The Lifestyle Solutions Casual Convertibles Capitola Sofa Bed has a neat modern shape and comes in three different colours.

You can also select the Homelegance Upholstered Convertible Sleeper Sofa Futon in Violet Red for a modern look in your dorm room.

Another sleeping space option is a funky loft bed. The Powell Monster Bedroom® Twin Study Loft Bunk Bed raises your bed up high and gives you space underneath for a desk or media center – it’s an awesome space saver!

Once you choose a piece for your dorm room to sleep on, you’ll need some dorm bedding that reflects your personal style.

If you’re going to have a futon in your room, you may want to consider a futon cover. They come in so many colours, patterns, and textures, so you won’t have a problem expressing your design style.

Try the SIS Covers Tiffany Futon Cover,

the Elite L.X.E. Coal & Royalty Slip Cover,

or the Lifestyle Solutions Navy Futon Cover to make a bold statement with your futon.

Another way to stand out is by using a fashionable duvet. The Daniadown Tokyo Duvet Cover

or the Nygård Home Ascot Duvet Cover are great options for giving a fun design aspect to your dorm room.

Decorate your sleeping space with a few throw pillows – it will keep things comfy and stylish at the same time.

The Mystic Valley Traders Cafe Aqua Boudoir Pillow,

Mystic Valley Traders Cafe Cherry Neckroll Pillow, or

Mystic Valley Traders Arboretum Sprout Bolster Pillow allow you to spruce up your dorm room on a budget.

Next, you’ll want to focus on storage space. Space is obviously tight in dorm rooms, so it’s essential for you to use every inch of room for your items.

Make use of your closet with the Organize It All Chrome Garment Rolling Rack Laundry Center – it can easily be rolled out of your closet at any time, and has three separate hampers for your laundry, so it will be easier to get your clothes cleaned.

You can also store the Organize It All Concord 3 Tier Storage Closet Organizer Cart in your closet and use the drawers for clothes, makeup, toiletries, or shoes. If you want to make use of your corner space,

the Organize It All Devant Three Tier Corner Closet Organizer in Silver fits there easily and is a great place for your books, movies, or CDs. Make use of your wall space

and install the Safco PanelMate® Wall Coat Rack Hook (Set of 6) – you can use it for jackets, scarves, or towels.

Your dorm room workspace is one of the most important features in your dorm room – you’re going to need a functional place to do homework and study for exams.

The Safco MÜV Extra Wide Workstation in Medium Oak has three racks for holding your laptop and any other study tools.

The Leda Student Desk with Student Chair in Medium cherry is even smaller and takes up less space.

Another option is the stylish Mylex Furniture Metal and Wood Student Desk.

You don’t want your office chair to take up a lot of precious space in your dorm room, so any armless options such as the Boss Office Products Adjustable Black Leather Deluxe Posture Chair,

Offices to Go Armless Task Chair, or the OFM Vinyl Computer Posture Task Chair will take up less room.

You’ll want to keep things organized in your workspace, so consider putting up a cork board or dry erase board.

The Spartak Cork Board

or the Safco Clear Acrylic Dry Erase Board (Set of 5) are handy for putting up notes, writing down your schedule, or displaying pictures or ticket stubs.

Finally, it’s time to decorate! Adding fun accessories to your dorm really sets it apart from the other rooms.

Throw down an accent rug like the Fun Rugs Supreme Collection Leopard Skin Rug,

put up a funky modern wall light Kenroy Home Burst Black Finish 1 Light Small Round Wall Lantern,

and hang up some patterned drapes Kathy Ireland Home by Thank You Baby The Sweetie Blue Dots Drapes.

Just because your living space is temporary doesn’t mean it has to be boring and generic!

Infuse your personality into your dorm room design, so when you invite your new friends over to hang out, they get to see the real you carried out in your room’s style.

Need help decorating your dorm room,  just send me your budget, dorm room dimensions and design style and lets see what we can come up with!

Nicolette Interior Design Diva