Inspired designs:

4 dorm room ideas bursting with personality

Moving into a dorm room can be daunting, and not just because it might be the first time you live with roommates. Whether you brought a bunch of things with you or only brought the basics, when you get to your room, you might realize it needs a little extra TLC to make it feel like home. Maybe you realize you need a lot more storage space for all your books, or maybe the concrete floor is so cold, you need to add a rug or two. And since IKEA has so many great options to outfit your room, you might feel a little overwhelmed. 

That’s where IKEA Kreativ comes in. Use it to transform your dorm and create a space that you and your friends will want to hang out in all year. 

To get your creative juices flowing, we asked interior designer Mitra Gholami of Deleap for some inspiration. Mitra styled four dorm rooms in IKEA Kreativ and told us how she created the look for each. If you want to try any of the items that she mentions in your own designs, just click the links in the sections to open a canvas in IKEA Kreativ where you can try them yourself.

1. Spacious single dorm

MG: In this single dorm room, I used the MALM bed frame with a high platform to allow for extra storage space underneath. At the end of the bed, I added a KALLAX shelving unit, which offers a great mixture of open shelving and cubbies with doors, so you can display decorative objects or store personal items. I also added the KNIPSA and NIMM storage boxes on a few of the open shelves, and you can do the same to store extra school supplies or paperwork.

For a tall nightstand next to the bed, I used IKEA’s famous BILLY bookcase and added a BRANAS basket, FADO lamp, and BONDTOLVAN alarm clock. This versatile bookcase can double as extra storage for the ANFALLARE/ALEX desk situated next to it as well. The desk comes in a variety of colors, and I chose bamboo/black for this design since the dorm room is a warmer color. I also used a MANHULT chair in a deep red color to add vibrancy.

Speaking of colors, I decided to add some greenery in the room as well. However, since college students have busy schedules and might not have enough time to take care of real plants, I used FEJKA — an artificial plant — and some fun ceramic cacti (SJALSLIGT) instead. Then, I mixed colors on the wall with the SKADIS pegboard and LACK shelving to create a fun pattern that matches the playful STOCKHOLM rug, and ties the whole room together.

Here are some of the other items I used in this space to add some amore functionality and personality:

• ASUNDEN basket for laundry under the pegboard
• KAMPIG hook next to the closet 
• SAVSTA memo board for study notes on the wall
• HARTE work lamp (Pro tip: This lamp is a great space saver but still provides a lot of light.)
• DRAGAN bamboo set for pens and pencils
• HANDSKALAD on the desk for a high five after a hard day’s work
• HOVSTA frame, GESTALTA figure, and LINDBYN mirror on the shelves above the bed

2. Compact single dorm

MG: Sometimes, dorm rooms aren’t as spacious as we want them to be, so with this room, I focused on creating a fun but functional space to show how you can take advantage of every little corner.

In small rooms like this, the best way to maximize space is to take advantage of height. Here, I added a BESTA TV bench on the wall above the GLADSTAD bed and decorated it with a SMARRA box, FEJKA artificial plant, and RISATORP wire basket for even more storage. The BESTA offers a good amount of storage for personal items while the GLADSTAD bed offers room for a couple of extra SOCKERBIT storage boxes underneath. 

Working again with the height of the room on the opposite wall, I added a TJUSIG shoe rack with KOMPLEMENT boxes on top, which offers storage for items you might need to grab when you leave the room. On the wall above this combination, I added an EKBY ALEX/RAMSHULT wall shelf, which includes drawers for those personal items you don’t need your friends to see. And, on top of that, I added UPPRYMD boxes, which not only add color and fun to the room but also provide even more storage. Finally, I added a LACK wall shelf and decorated it with SJALSLIGT cacti and a HARLIGA glass cloche. 

Rounding out the storage options in the room, I used a NAMMARO storage box at the end of the bed. Additionally, I threw in the MICKE desk, which is small enough to fit in a tiny dorm room without making it feel crowded, but also comes with ample space to stash all of your school supplies. And for those long days — and nights — of studying, I used the DEJSA table lamp on the desk which complements the KALLBLIXT wall lamp next to the bed. 

Here are some of the other items I used in this room:

• FORENLIG plant pot to use as a trash can (Pro tip: When designing your room, lean into your creativity, and use items in unexpected ways.) 
• HOVOLM rack next to the bed to hang your keys or a hat
• LOHALS rug to cover most of the floor and add a cozy feeling to the room
• ORFJALL swivel chair in blue for a dash of color and some comfort while working 
• SOSDALA memo board in front of the desk

3. Spacious double dorm

MG: I wanted to create a calming design in this room by mixing white with wood tones and a few bold fun colors.

The MYDAL bunk bed stands at the far end of this view, and you can see I added two NYMANE wall lamps for those nights when you or your roommate want to read in bed. To the right, I added the TROFAST storage box in pine and orange, complementing the bed frame while splashing a bit of color into the space. 

I used MICKE desks in white/anthracite to make sure the room had good storage for school supplies while staying within the color theme. I also used the JONAXEL storage cabinet between the desks and included the DRAGAN bamboo set on top for extra pens and pencils. On top of the desks, I used NORDMARKE wireless chargers and coupled them with TVARHAND table lamps. Then, under the desks, I used RORKAR rugs and added BLECKBERGET swivel chairs in light green to complement the colors in the room.

The middle of the room is a fun communal space, so I added a LOHALS rug for warmth. I also wanted to keep things casual, so I used a LACK side table and added FLISAT stools for seating. And since this room has great wall space, I added a KALLAX shelf unit in white with PUDDA and ASUNDEN baskets on the shelves for even more storage. 

Here’s a list of some of the other items I used in the room:

• FEJKA artificial potted plant to add greenery
• SANNHED frames for photos or pictures 
• SKADIS pegboard in black next to the frames 
• SVENSAS memo boards in front of each desk to keep notes
• GULDHONA wall hanger and FJANTIG hook for extra hanging space next to the closet

4. Compact double dorm

MG: Whether moving into a dorm room with your best friend or a complete stranger, you’ll still want to keep track of your personal belongings. In this room design, I stuck to a black and white scheme that would help visually separate one roommate’s belongings from the other’s.  The ENHET laundry bins at the head of the bunk bed will help keep your clothes from getting  mixed together.

For each workspace, I used ALEX desks and matching SKADIS pegboards. Between the desks, I added a VITTSJO shelf unit and decorated it with KVARNVIK, NIMM, and UPPRYMD boxes. I also added MANHULT chairs in yellow/brown to incorporate some bold color into the black-and-white palette and BORKAR rugs under the desks act as a soft landing pad for your feet while you’re hard at work. The SVALLET work lamps on each desk don’t occupy much space, but they provide a generous amount of light. 

On either side of the window, I added shelving. To the left are two BERGSHULT/SANDSHULT wall shelves decorated with a FEJKA plant, HANDSKALAD hand, BERAKNA vase, and BYGGLEK box. To the right are two KALLAX shelf units. KNIPSA, BRANAS, FLADIS, and PUDDA baskets on the KALLAX units add more storage space for personal items. A LERHAMN table and two chairs in the middle of the room is a perfect setup for you and your roommate to hang out, eat, or play cards at the end of the day.

Here’s a list of the rest of the items spotted in this design:

• LINDBYN table mirror on the KALLAX shelves
• VITVAL bunk bed, which offers just enough height off the floor to add a couple of storage boxes
• SOCKERBIT boxes in green and white under the bed
• STOCKHOLM rug to complement the black and white theme

Now that you’ve seen some of the things you can do with IKEA Kreativ, go ahead and try it yourself. If you’re reading this on a computer, simply pick one of the dorm rooms below to go straight into a room, or pick a different room from the selection of empty or furnished showrooms in IKEA Kreativ. If you’re on a mobile device, you’ll need to download the IKEA app first before you can design a space in IKEA Kreativ. But, once you do, you’ll also be able to scan your own space and design that with IKEA furniture and decor to get a totally personal fit.

We always love to see your creations! Share them using the hashtags #IKEAKreativ #IKEAdormtransformation or #collegewithIKEA so we can check them out.