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28 Ways To Have A Dorm Room The Whole Floor Will Be Jealous Of

AKA easy ways to make required dorm living less of a hellhole.

Posted on August 11, 2017, 16:31 GMT

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1. Add a dash of greenery in unexpected places, like in a phone charging two-fer or calm-inducing OK letter set.

2. Frame your photos with colorful/patterned washi tape that's way less bulky (and more appealing) than traditional frames.

Check out the full tutorial from Design Sponge here!Get a variety from Amazon: solids, metallics, floral, and patterned.

3. String rows of twinkling lights across your room for instantly chill vibes — bonus if the lights alternate with mini Bluetooth speakers!

4. Plop a couple of velvet pintuck cushions onto the floor so you and your friends can enjoy a cozy teatime chat together.

You can also use them on your legs to protect them from an overheating laptop, or just purely for decoration. So many possibilities!Get them from Urban Outfitters for $39 each or two for $69 (available in 10 colors).Re: Tea time, you can get a electric kettle from Amazon for $13.30 (and it comes in five colors!).

5. Or situate a mobile armchair that won't take up oodles of space so you can rock your way to zen.

Promising review: "I am in love with this rocker chair. If I had to pick one item in my house I don't regret buying, it would be this piece. It's very loyal to the original Eames chair, which has the same exact dimensions. This design is very ergonomic, comfortable, and beautiful." —CassisGet it from Amazon for $63.97+ (available in five colors).

6. Burrito up in an unbelievably fluffy fleece throw for some high quality ~me time~.

Promising review: "This blanket was honestly the best gift I've received. Almost five months and a few washes later, it is still just as soft as when I first got it. The price tag is so worth it!" —Lyndsey VangeeGet it from Urban Outfitters for $49 (available in five colors).You can get a cheaper but slightly less fluffier one from Amazon for $13.87.

7. Create some candle-free ambiance with electronic tea lights and DIY wax paper candleholders.

Check out the full tutorial from Design Sponge here!Get a 12-pack of tea lights from Amazon for $8.99 and two-pack of wax paper rolls for $7.99.

8. Set aside just one minute every day to answer a simple question in a four-year Q&A journal.

9. Let essential oils soothe your soul using a (surprisingly chic) aromatherapy diffuser.

10. Unwind to the beat of relaxing tunes with an ultra-thin Bluetooth speaker.

11. Turn on a white noise machine so you won't be rudely awakened or disturbed by drunk classmates roaming the hallways.

Promising review: "Works perfectly. All of the sounds are nice, however I find it easiest to sleep with the white noise option. The ability to adjust volume is great too. On nights when my roommate has a bunch of noisy drunk friends over the louder volume does the trick, and on more mellow nights the quieter setting is better." —Melissa JolliffeGet it from Amazon for $19.99.

12. Install a dividing curtain if you're sharing a room, because even if you don't ~totally loathe~ your roomie, you'll want some damn privacy from time to time.

Promising review: "I bought this to make my dining room into a temporary bedroom for a guest. It worked perfectly, looks very nice, and it's absolutely private." —Denise O.Get a 8-by-10-foot curtain from Amazon for $54.99 and a rod for $29.99.

13. Ditch bulky lamps in favor for a minimalistic, color-changing sphere light for late-night reading that won't be too harsh on your eyes.

14. Store your lazy-dazy essentials in a 10-pocket bedside caddy so you don't lose precious time spent away from underneath your blankets.

Promising review: "I had too much stuff on my nightstand and had to clear everything and get the stuff back out every morning and night. I found myself getting up a lot, so this is great for all that stuff and the pocket sizes are different." —ParadiseGet it from Amazon for $13.99.

15. Prop up your laptop or tablet with a height-adjustable, ventilated desk equipped with space for your phone and a drink.

16. And support your (poor, aching) back with a shredded foam pillow.

Promising review: "This pillow has amazing memory. It arrives in a tube and unravels into a perfectly shaped reading pillow over a 24-hour period. All you have to do is fluff it and all the internal pieces know where to go. It is cool to sit against over time and it contours to the shape of your back very well. Five stars for this well-designed pillow." —Top Choice BooksGet it from Amazon for $39.99.

17. Hang a giant mood-mellowing tapestry on your wall for a temporary escape when summer vacation's looking way too far off.

18. Sew a couple of adorable mountain pillows together to add to the whole ~let's escape to the outdoors~ vibe.

Check out the full tutorial at A Joyful Riot here!Get a 12-ounce bag of Poly-fil stuffing from Amazon for $9.16 and cotton polyester fabric for $3.50+ (available in 40 colors and in one, five, and ten yard increments).

19. Fill some eye-catching geometric shelves with your favorite books, figurines, and plants — whatever makes you feel happy and/or you want to keep at arm's reach.

Get the pentagon shelves from H&M for $12.99 and the hexagonal shelves for $17.99

20. Keep your studying refuel within arm's reach with a quirky desktop fridge — and there's also a "keep warm" function.

21. Stick on a bunch of metallic confetti dots on your walls for a super easy pop of color and shine.

Get a set of 10 from Amazon for $18.99 (copper) or $22.56 (rainbow).You can also make your own with this tutorial from Wee Birdy!

22. Subscribe to a monthly book box that includes two enthralling, curated reads and a few related knickknacks (candles, candies, etc.).

23. Slip on a silk eye mask for relief from flimsy dorm curtains or blinds, inconsiderate roommates, and overall stress.

Promising review: "I'm currently a 20-year-old college student and I unfortunately still live in the dorm. I would not be able to sleep without this eye mask. I have tried other eye masks before and they all slide off or aren't wide enough to cover enough of my head. I bought the XL mask and it fits perfectly! Once I put it on, I am submerged in utter darkness and it stays this way no matter what the lighting is like in my room. This also makes midday naps even easier!" —Amazon CustomerGet it from Amazon for $10.99.

24. Transform your entire load of cheap IKEA furniture into ~marble gems~ using decorative adhesive paper.

You: a fancy-ass person living in a broke college student's body.Promising review: "So Pinteresting! I used this adhesive film to turn two cheap IKEA tables into less-cheap-looking IKEA tables because I'm not made of money but I would like others to believe I am. Super simple to use and you get a ton of it for the price. The pattern actually looks like marble, not a weird pixel-y, repetitive pattern, so that's great as well." —Spencer HouseGet a 18-by-78-inch roll from Amazon for $7.12.

25. Use a cheery sun or cloud shaped mirror to make getting ready in the morning a tad less grumpy and snail-paced.

26. Upgrade your blah twin bed into a ~magical hideaway~ with a slightly extra mesh canopy.

Get it from Urban Outfitters for $49 (available in three colors).

27. Make your go-to ramen and sriracha meal that much easier with a stylish bowl and chopsticks set.

28. Go crazy decorating every inch of your room with glow-in-the-dark domed dots that mimic a lovely night spent under the stars.

Promising review: "These are the most realistic stars I have purchased from anywhere. The different colors and sizes really do make a huge difference. They also work on your walls if you want a more surrounded look!" —Jaden H.Get a massive set of 600 dots from Amazon for $19.99.

When you start with low expectations, a dorm room can only get better and cozier.

The reviews used in this post have been edited for length and clarity.