Every college student faces the strain of limited resources and strained finances. Starting out by Decorating A Dorm Room On A Budget may be a necessity for some, or simply a lesson in frugality for others. Every student can easily express their own unique style with limited resources by using these simple tricks to frugal decorating.
DECORATING A DORM ROOM ON A BUDGET
Learn to Decoupage. Seriously, it takes a few minutes and a bit of patience, but the opportunities are endless. Do you love those vintage look lamps or picture frames? Grab some old newsprint or scrapbook paper, Mod Podge and a few hours of time and create your own at a fraction of the cost. and/or
Use Bright Colors. Nothing makes a room look great quite like bright colored accents. If you are able to paint your dorm room, choose a fun bright color for an accent wall or as trim paint. If not, go with brightly colored rugs, curtains or bedding. Twin sheets in bright colors are often on sale at great prices and can be quickly sewn into pillows or curtains at a fraction of the cost of a designer piece.
Create Custom Canvas Art. Various sites like Canvas People and even Ink Garden offer deals on custom canvas prints or custom posters. Upload your own original art work, photos or great snapshots of your friends and family to create unique to you inexpensive wall art.
Use Vinyl Wall Art. Instead of painting, pick up some fun unique vinyl wall art pieces. Choose from the latest popular characters for a fun gamers theme, or pick your own favorite quote or scripture for an inspirational feel.
Create A Chalkboard Wall. If painting isn’t an option, grab one of these awesome vinyl chalkboard wall decals. These are great to use as calendars and to-do lists, or to have a place your friends and roommates can reach out and leave a message, a love note or just create fun art with chalk.
Add Some Fresh Flowers Or A Plant. Nothing makes a room feel more alive or homey than fresh flowers. If getting fresh flowers regularly is too pricey, then pick up an easy to keep plant. There are tons of great options at your local florist or nursery that will brighten your room without a ton of care.
Anyone can stick within a budget if they simply think outside the box and make the most of what they already have. I have more tips that can help you frugally prepare for College, so be sure to read up on my List Of 10 Dorm Room Essentials & Checklist. Decorating a dorm room on a budget is no different. Utilize what you already own and pick up fun and bright accent pieces that reflect your personality instead of buying an entirely new set of bedding, decorations or furniture.
You can also read my additional tips on college life:
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6 Ways to Save for College
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Furnishing your college room on a budget
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Living a college life can get expensive, so here’s over 60 ways to help you save money this year!
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Find more frugal back to school deals here!
You have tons of great ideas here. There really are a lot of options for kids these days!
Great tips! I love the idea of a chalkboard wall – and love even more that you can do that with decals if you aren’t allowed to paint.
Fun ways to decorate a room. A little color goes a long way.
Great tips! We used bright colors when my daughter went off to college, and her dorm looked great. A rug definitely adds a homey touch. I wish I had thought of getting a chalkboard decal or a real chalkboard, like you suggested!
Definitely over the door shoe holder, I use it on my kids bedroom doors for their toys. Make the most of space!
These are some great tips! I live on a college campus for my husband’s job, and these are some tips I have definitely used.
I love the idea of chalk board walls… We do that for the kids but also love the idea for a teenager or college-student
I will not be attending school this year, but I could use a basic room makeover. I am always looking to update and refresh things!
Love your suggestions! I have a cameo to make my own vinyl and never thought of using that for dorm walls what a genius idea! P.S. I love your pop up box!
I love the idea of canvas art. I just had posters and this makes me want to go back and do my old dorm room over again!
I like the idea of using a chalkboard decal. I’ve never seen dorm rooms that could be painted, so that’s awesome!
What great tips. I especially love the canvas art idea.
I used to think wall decals where the worst type of wall decor, I was so wrong used a couple on my babies nursery now we are obsessed adding them all over the house
I have 2 years until i have to do this! the chalkboard thing is awesome!
My son is going to college in the fall and these are great ideas. Thanks for sharing. Such an exciting time in a kids life!
Great tips and ideas Im sure a lot of kids are going to benefit.
Great ideas! I’m not looking fwd to this as I have a hard enough time keeping the house decorated (or not!) Yikes! So many options! Love it.
I never had a dorm room but if it looked anything like these, I might have done better in college! lol!