Now that you’ve settled into the dorm are your walls looking a little bare? In any small living space it can be a challenge to find a wall covering solution that is proportional to the size of the room and conforms university restrictions. We have several ideas that will help you cover up that bad paint job and surround yourself with things you love. Don’t forget to keep your eyes out for our Dream Dorm Question of the week! Leave an answer in the comments and you’ll be entered to win one of our Dream Dorm Prize Packs!
Arrange a Gallery Wall
A gallery wall will make a sophisticated statement when frames in gold and black are mixed, like in the image above. Start looking for pieces in thrift stores and antique shops. When you gather a collection of prints and other hangables, measure your wall space and tape it off in masking tape on the floor. That way you can try a few different combinations without making extra holes in the wall. A quirky find like an odd vintage portrait will become a conversation piece when it is nestled among other objects.
A well edited wall will bring visual impact while making the room feel open and airy.
Roll and Tumble‘s hand printed letterpress prints will give your walls some vintage flair.
If frames aren’t your thing, grab an oversized display board and change up the look of your wall whenever inspiration strikes.
Or, adorn your wall with photos arranged in a fun shape. All you need is some double stick tape!
Truly Unique College Posters
Almost every college dorm room has a poster hanging in it, and for good reason. Posters fill a lot of wall space and can make a big impact. But, if you choose to follow this long standing tradition, choose something that stands out from the crowd. Brandt Brinkerhoff and Katherine Walker’s neon and newsprint posters are unexpected and thought provoking.
These americana posters by the Anderson Design Group are available on Global Gallery. Find one that reminds you of your roots if you’re going to school far from home.
Architect’s plans (what blueprints are called nowadays) come in oversized sheets and are often thrown out after projects are completed. Give an architecture or engineering major’s room a really cool look by filling a wall with these. Ask a local architect if they have any out of date plans to donate. Giving this paper a second life makes this an eco-conscious choice!
This wall sized map from The Future Mapping Company displays the countries of the world in their correct geographical size. Plus, it’s magnetized, so it doubles as a wall sized bulletin board for homework, reminders and travel photos.
Give Your Dorm Wall Some Personality With Wall Decals
Surprise your friends with these off beat wall decals from Blik. You can win a $50 gift card to Blik in our Design Dorm Prize Pack! Enter by answering our dorm decor question in the comment section of any of this month’s dorm decor posts.
Use this decal (also from blik) to give your bed a kitschy headboard with no worries about wall damage when you move out! Comment to win this decal too!
Get around that no painting rule! This paintable wallpaper from dormco peels and sticks to your walls, so you can paint them and then peel it away when it’s time to move out.
Don’t Forget the Windows!
Highlight your beautiful new wall art with a shade that will keep your display looking its best. Protect light sensitive items (or turn your dorm into a home theater) with a blackout curtain from Blinds.com. Allow pieces with metallic accents to be seen in the natural light with floaty, opaque window covering like our Lucerne Wanda Pleated Panels.
Dream Dorm Decor Giveaway!
Ready to customize your own Dream Dorm wall space or have a favorite dorm dweller that could use some fun prizes? Read our ‘Dream Dorm Decor’ giveway rules here!
Dream Dorm Décor giveaway prize packs (2):
- a. $50 gift card for decorative window film – you pick the pattern!
- b. $50 iTunes gift card
- a. $50 gift card for decorative window film – you pick the pattern!
- b. $50 WhatIsBlik wall decal gift card
Another chance to win – leave a comment!
This week’s question: What’s your dream dorm style for wall decor? Minimalist chic or cozy eclectic?
From Gary:
Decorating the wall with these different ideas is really great . It enlighten the beauty of the place according to the style.Thanks for sharing such an creative idea.
Milwaukee Windows
From Mary:
Back in my day, the exciting wall decor was hanging Cosmopolitan’s centerfold of Burt Reynolds. These ideas are WAY better, lol! I especially love beautiful “headboards” that take no room, and the hole to another universe…
From ashley:
A mix of modern and vintage!
From Hoa Le:
I like minimalist chic. I like adding cork boards or simple chalkboard wall decals.
From Kelly D Saver:
I like Cozy Eclectic, lots of unique and vintage finds to add lots of character.
KellywcuATyahooDOTcom
From BlindsDotCom:
We’re on the same page Kelly. Find anything fun lately?
From Djohn78:
There was a major record store that closed the summer before my freshman year. They had some cool signage that they just gave me that I used for dorm decor!
From LeeAnn Prescott:
cozy eclectic would be my style. A mix of maps and photo collages, maybe some classic reproductions and stuff with architectural interest. A little of this and a little of that. Anything that inspires me!
From amweeks:
What great ideas these are! Way back when, we just cut out pictures from magazines and taped them on our walls. Oh, and we did hang a big map of our homestate (my roomie & I were both from the same state and attending an out-of-state college). When folks walked by our room, many of them circled the towns they were from and signed our map! LOL!
From Jen:
cozy eclectic all the way – every inch is covered in all the things I love
From Create the Perfect Study Space: Dorm Decor - The Finishing Touch:
[...] a comment on our other dorm posts for more chances to win: Best Bedding Ever, Deck the Walls, and Dorm Kitchens and Bathrooms- How to Survive in [...]
From Talex:
nice ideas on how to personalize your space – awesome!
From DMBastian:
I love a blend of the two – cozy chic!