Organized and stylish dorm room idea

If there is one thing that standard dorm rooms are known for, it’s their lack of charm and originality. That’s no way to live. You need a space that will serve multiple functions and match your unique aesthetic, like this stylishly organized design. The first step is to think about the different activities that will take place in your room — such as sleeping, studying, lounging, eating, and socializing — and then plan solutions for each of them. A good way to do that in a small space is to look for furniture pieces that can be used for multiple things, like the KALLAX bookcase between the bed and the desk area. The shelving unit not only provides storage, but it also helps to divide the space and it adds privacy as well. 

Similarly, the SLÄKT bed, while a comfy place to catch some zzz’s, also offers additional storage thanks to built-in drawers and shelving underneath. For your bedside table, consider the VIHALS nightstand on casters. It can easily be wheeled over to the desk whenever you need to use it as an extra work surface. 

Even the TJUSIG bench plays double-duty thanks to the shoe rack underneath that will help keep your footwear neatly organized. The TRONES cabinets hanging on the wall above are also a great way to keep your favorite kicks neatly organized and out of sight. Pair with one or two wall shelves for even more storage and added visual interest. 

Now, let’s talk about the vibrant blue accent wall. If the rules in your dormitory permit, paint one wall in your room to give it a fun pop of color and a burst of energy. And if blue isn’t your cup of tea, not to worry — you can try out different wall colors in the room above or in other showrooms in IKEA Kreativ. Complete the vibrant accent wall with a collection of your favorite artwork and photos.

In a dorm room, you can never have too much storage, so the FJÄLKINGE shelving unit is a really nice addition if you have the space for it. And even though organization is an important part of this room design, that doesn’t mean that everything needs to be all-white and blend into the background. The pink and green UPPDATERA storage bins add fun pops of color around the room while keeping odds and ends neatly tucked away. 

When thinking about storage and organization solutions, it can be easy to overlook how quickly important notes, reminders, and bills can get lost or pile up on your desk. Magnetic SÄVSTA memo boards are a great way to keep important papers right at your fingertips while also keeping your work surface clean. The yellow ELDBERGET / MALSKÄR desk chair complements the blue accent wall and brings additional color to the space.

To finish the room design, weave in pieces of decor that add even more color, pattern, and personality, such as the black and white-striped STOCKHOLM rug. The bold graphic adds loads of visual interest and really anchors the space. Bedding is another way that you can infuse your space with even more color and pattern. Last, but certainly not least, sprinkle in a few plants and candles to amp up the cozy factor and complete your home away from home.

Cozy and whimsical dorm room idea

Dorm rooms are notorious for having pretty simple floor plans and bland finishes, which can make it difficult to step outside of that basic box and visualize something better. But with IKEA Kreativ, designing a unique dorm room like this Scandinavian modern setup has never been easier. 

This layout makes great use of vertical wall space which keeps the room feeling open and airy. See if you can swap the standard dormitory bunk and desk for the SMÅSTAD loft bed with workspace underneath. This one change will instantly free up valuable square footage that you can put to better use. Pair the tucked-away desk with a white LOBERGET / MALSKÄR task chair that will blend right in. Instead of a nightstand, use a picture ledge to hold an assortment of tchotchkes and bedtime essentials such as a good book or journal, an alarm clock or your phone, and perhaps a small glass of water. 

The back panel of the loft bed acts as a partition separating the bed area from a tiny dressing corner. A few TRONES shoe organizers artfully mounted on the wall are visually impactful and simultaneously offer a discreet storage solution for footwear. There is also more than meets the eye to the full-length NISSEDAL mirror hanging on the adjacent wall. It actually comes with hinges, so you can pull the mirror away from the wall, like you’re opening a door, to access items hidden behind it — perhaps a couple of wall hooks for scarves or neckties.

Continuing along the wall, an oversize work of art such as the BJÖRKSTA canvas injects the space with loads of color. If you want to include a TV in your space, this would be a great place to mount it to the wall. Instead of a bulky cabinet below, opt for SVENSHULT shelving to stash books, movies, or video game equipment. And to make sure you’re always on time for class, consider adding the PLUTTIS clock. 

On the back wall, opposite the loft bed, consider painting an accent wall. The hot pink hue is playful and eye-catching, but since it’s only on one wall which is surrounded by white, it doesn’t overwhelm the room. The white AURDAL reach-in closet helps temper the bright accent wall and provides ample storage for your extensive wardrobe. Remember, if painting isn’t possible in your dormitory consider using peel-and-stick wallpaper instead. 

Now that we’ve used most of the wall space — for the bed, desk area, dressing corner, TV or art wall, and wardrobe — it’s time to focus our attention on the center of the room or the lounge area. Here, the yellow and white-checkerboard RULLBANA rug anchors the cozy setup and adds color, pattern, and a hint of softness. On top of the rug, sits a colorful assortment of seating options for when you’re studying or hanging out with friends: the canary yellow SOTENÄS lounge chair, cobalt blue KYRRE stool, and woven ALSEDA floor pouf. In the middle of the action, we have the TINGBY side table. The nice thing about this piece of furniture is that it has casters so it can easily be moved out of the way whenever you want to do an impromptu workout or dance session.

To round out the dorm room design, punctuate the space with smaller decorative accents that add even more color and personality. You can even squeeze in a bit more storage with a wall shelf like the BERGSHULT / SANDSHULT or  EKET wall-mounted cubes, which are available in a variety of fun color options.

College dorm room essentials checklist

Now that you have your dorm room layout all squared away, let’s make sure you have everything else that you’ll need. Here is a quick checklist of college must-haves to ensure you don’t forget anything:

• Shelving
• Lighting
• Bedding and pillows
• Extra blankets
• Towels
• Bathroom caddy
• Storage
• Laundry basket
• Waste bin
• Memo boards
• Desk organizers
• Cooking necessities
• Fave snacks
• Flip flops

And if you’re looking for even more dorm room inspiration, check out this fun read:

Inspired designs: 4 dorm room ideas bursting with personality