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Create Your Dream Residence Hall Room: Inspiration and Tips

September 2, 2024 | Courtney Russell

By: Natalie Silk, senior at Miami University

Moving away from home for the first time can be overwhelming. Among other things, you are leaving your personalized, childhood bedroom and moving into a dorm room that is a blank slate.

Creating a personalized residence hall room can make the overwhelming feelings go away.

You will want to create a space where you can come back from a long day of classes and relax. You want a space where you can have friends over and create lifelong memories.

Below you will find inspiration to create your dream residence hall room. 

Choosing Your Theme

Blue Oasis

Your bed will likely be the largest piece of furniture in your room and the first thing people will look at when they enter.

Maybe you want a calming blue theme to your room, with a blue and white comforter and some blue accent pillows. Take a look below at some blue, Pinterest-inspired rooms and how they decorated their beds and the walls surrounding it.

@milana.vouts8

MIAMI U DORM 🤍🤍@LoveShackFancy @dormify @Pottery Barn Teen @Serena & Lily #miamiuniversity #oxfordohio #dormtour @thatsocalsouthernbelle #fyp #makemefamous #miamiohio

♬ She Calls Me Back – Noah Kahan

Evergreen Bliss

Or, if you’re looking for more of a down-to-earth, green theme for your room, you might want to include some green vines or a green plant pillow. Hanging plants or some succulents can liven up your room as well.

Pink Perfection

If blue or green is not quite your style and you want a fun theme for your room, look for some bubbly pink posters and pink throw blankets to give your room the pop of color that it needs. Gray and white are great colors to pair with pink, try them on bedding or other furniture.

@kkaync11

freshman dorm ✨🎀🧁@yo gabba gabba👑 #miamiuniversity #dorm

♬ original sound – ‍

Purple Paradise 

If purple fits your vision, brighten up your room with lavender blankets, pillows, and posters. You could create a moody and calm vibe with some darker purple blankets, pillows, and posters. You could even combine light and dark purples to create a unique look that is just for you.

Boho Dream

Sometimes too much color can be overwhelming, and neutral colors are more your speed. When you are doing your residence hall room shopping, find some boho decor to hang on your walls or a boho-inspired headboard to tie everything together. 

The Essentials

Lighting

Lighting in your room is important. You might like calm, dimmed lighting to study or watch a movie with friends. Globe lights can set a calming vibe. Fairy lights are a fun and easy way to decorate an otherwise plain wall. You can even personalize them by hanging pictures with clothespins.

Extra Space

If you get lucky, you might have some empty space in your room. Maximize this space by adding a full-length mirror or a basket for your cozy blankets. Adding curtains to cover your closets can make your room feel less like a residence hall room and more like a home. 

Room Coordination

Your room will not be complete without coordinating with your roommate.

If you are going for a blue theme, maybe could have a blue comforter and your roommate can have a white comforter with blue accents. If you are looking for an earthy vibe, one of you can bring some greenery and the other can bring some plant posters to tie your vision together.

Make It Your Own

Your dream residence hall room would not be complete without a checklist.

You can download and print a copy of our move-in checklist so you don’t forget a thing. 

Before you buy all of your must-haves, don’t forget to check out Miami’s student room policies.

No matter what you are envisioning, make your dorm room your own.

Find your inspiration and make an environment that you are excited to come back to at the end of the day.

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