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9 Gorgeous Dorm Room Transformations That’ll Blow Your Damn Mind

HGTV, I’ve got an idea for you….

By Sarah Kopp
a pink and white dorm room
Raydene Salinas Hansen

Dorm decor can be super overwhelming. There’s so much to plan before you even get there, and once you’re moved in, you might come across problems like outlet space, too much furniture, and dungeon-like lighting!

But because dorm rooms are so boring, there are So. Many. Options. for spicing up the space with a little creativity and a solid colorway.

These nine dorms underwent complete transformations that are truly HGTV-level amazing. They are beautiful, unique, and OTT in the best possible way. Click through to see some incredible before-and-afters that will inspire you to hit up your nearest HomeGoods, stat.

1

Play Furniture Tetris

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I Gave A Dream Dorm Makeover To A Deserving College Student
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Struggling with space in your cramped room? Here’s a tip: Rearrange your furniture. Most of the time, you have a lot more space than you even realize!

Um, also, a pool noodle between your bed and the wall can save you from dropping your phone into that dark crevice (you know the one)! You can also chop up a pool noodle and pop it on top of the ladder steps on your bunk to save your shins! GENIUS!

2

Make Dorm Furniture Look Chic

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If you have an ugly chair or couch in your room courtesy of your university, cover it with a blanket to make it look brand new! Top it with some throw pillows and it’s basically a custom piece.

3

DIY Your Wall Art

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Cozy Pink Dorm of Your DREAMS!
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If you’re dying for some cute wall decor, take a note from this video. Here, they make amazing watercolor art in only a few minutes! Who needs a poster sale when you’ve got two hands and some brushes?

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4

Use Mirrors

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Coziest home away from home dorm room!
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Mirrors can do a LOT when it comes to opening up space. If you’re trying to make your room seem bigger, try putting a mirror on a desk that’s facing a wall. You’ll feel less claustrophobic and catch glimpses of your gorgeous face while you’re hitting the books.

5

Curtains + Wall = Easiest Wall Decor Ever

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ULTIMATE DORM ROOM MAKEOVER | THE SORRY GIRLS
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Using curtains to add texture to blank walls and fill up the empty space is an amazing way to make your room comfier and cuter. It’s like paint but way easier.

6

Turn Posters Into Wallpaper

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DIY DORM ROOM MAKEOVER - On a Student Budget
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You know those adorable posters everyone hangs on their walls? They’re basically wallpaper. Aaaaand you can totally make your own! Combine posters or printables from Etsy with DIY word art.

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7

Buy All of the Lights

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DORM ROOM MAKEOVER! The cutest college dorm room transformation ever.
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Overhead lighting is kind of the worst. If your room has terrifying fluorescent lights or no lights at all, consider adding dainty little “fairy lights” or string lights along a wall to set the mood (laptop Netflix binge? Make-outs? Choose your own adventure).

Here, one YouTuber explains how she used her lights to add a lil somethin’-somethin’ to her space.

8

Make Your Own Headboard

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$500 Dorm Room Makeover
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To turn your XL twin into something you actually want to sleep or hang out in, consider busting out your sewing machine to craft a makeshift headboard you can slip over the top of your bed posts.

9

Consider Neutrals

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Sticking to a color palette is key in making your room look cohesive. Neutrals are great because they never look dated and always look sophisticated.

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