This post is all about minimalist dorm room ideas.
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Let’s be real—college dorm rooms are always pretty tiny and cramped. But no matter how small or limited your dorm room may be, it is still one of the most important spaces on campus. It’s your personal sanctuary to sleep, study, eat, get ready for the day, decompress, and recharge, all in one. That’s why it is so crucial to decorate your dorm space to be as comfortable, efficient, and relaxing as possible.
Minimalist room decor is the best way to go when it comes to your dorm room. Minimalist design focuses on simplicity, minimal clutter, and clean spaces–perfect for compact dorms. By implementing minimalist dorm room ideas into your on-campus space, you will always feel organized, clean, cozy, and at home.
Here are 22 minimalist dorm room ideas that you will definitely want to try.
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The Ultimate MINImalist dorm room
1. Get storage for under your bed
If you want to achieve a minimalist bedroom look, you need to clear away all of your visible clutter–clean, open spaces are essential. Adding storage shelves under your bed is the best way to utilize every inch of space in a small dorm room and manage clutter.
You can easily pack your books, knick-knacks, clothes, and other miscellaneous items into these storage bins, slide them under your bed, and enjoy the minimalist vibe in your room.
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2. Stick to neutral colors
To keep your dorm room feeling clean and simple, avoid vibrant colors and crazy patterns. Stick with a neutral color palette, such as white, black, and beige. This will help your dorm room feel less busy or messy.
3. Get white bedding
I’m obsessed with all-white bedrooms. White decor makes everything feel so bright and spacious, which are key elements to minimalist design. Use a white bedding set on your dorm bed to emphasize that light, open aesthetic.
4. Keep the wall art simple
Wall art definitely makes any space feel more homey, but it can also make your room feel busy and cluttered if you use too much. Don’t skip out of the wall art–you can still want your dorm room to feel personalized–but keep it minimal. Try a simple accent piece above your bed, such as a large art frame.
5. Add shelving above your bed
Putting shelves above your bed is super efficient because it doubles as both decor and storage. You can use these shelves to store items that might be cluttering up other surfaces in your dorm room, and even add a few plants and frames to dress it up.
I’m a big fan of this shelf from Pottery Barn because it doesn’t require nails to be hung, so you won’t damage your dorm walls!
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6. Keep your surfaces clean
This pro tip is so simple, but makes all the difference. Keep the surface of your dresser, desk, and bedside table as clean as possible. The more cluttered your spaces are, the more cramped your room will feel.
7. Minimalist desk lamp
A lamp on your desk or bedside table is functional and necessary, but the style of it is super important too. Your lighting fixtures definitely contribute to the overall look and feel of your room. If you want to achieve a minimalist dorm, go for a super sleek, simplistic lamp style.
This chic, modern lamp from Amazon is perfect for minimalism.
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8. Avoid patterns
Patterns can definitely add personality to a room, but they just don’t have that clean and airy feel. If you want a minimalist bedroom in your college dorm, go for basics and solid colors.
9. Use black accents
Black and white decor is super popular in minimalist design. The white elements emphasize that brightness and openness that is so essential to minimalism, while the black accents add dimension and contrast. The combo of black and white pieces just feels so modern, clean, and chic.
You can implement black accents into your dorm in so many ways: picture frames, lamps, art, throw pillows, and more.
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10. Geometric rugs
If you’re adding a rug to your dorm room, try geometric patterns with smooth, clean lines. While I’m totally in love with traditional bohemian rug patterns, they don’t fit into that sleek, clean aesthetic that screams minimalism.
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11. Manage your cords and wires
Wire management tools are one of the top college dorm essentials. From laptops to phone chargers to TVs to gaming devices, there are so many wires and plugs that college students need these days. Having a jumble of these cords all over the place will definitely make your dorm room feel more cluttered and messy.
Try a wire organizer to manage the mess, like this one from Amazon.
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12. Get an ottoman
An ottoman is definitely a dorm room hack–it provides style, a pop of color, storage space, and an extra seat for guests. If you’re a college student on a budget, there’s nothing better than a decor piece that does everything in one.
How cute is this velvet ottoman with storage space from Amazon?
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13. Decorate with a letter board
If you’re looking for more decor pieces to add personality to your dorm room, a letter board is perfect. Not only does it make your space feel super personalized, but it fits in seamlessly with a minimalist bedroom. The white lettering against the black background is sleek, simple, and screams minimalism.
You can hang a letter board on your wall or place it on an open surface, like your desk or bedside table.
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14. Let in the natural light
Another tip for achieving a super cozy minimalist bedroom (that doesn’t require you to spend a dime!) is utilizing natural light. Open up your curtains or blinds to give your dorm room a boost of brightness and openness. Dorm rooms usually don’t have huge windows, so just work with what you have! Natural light can totally transform a room, making it feel more spacious and airy.
15. Add a pop of greenery
If your dorm room feels a bit dull or stagnant, a plant will totally change that. Adding plants to your dorm will breathe life and color into your space. In a minimalist bedroom, pops of greenery will go a long way.
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16. White curtains
White curtains have so many benefits in a college dorm. White can match any room style or decor, even if you want to switch it up mid-semester–you’ll never have to worry about it clashing. Plus, they’ll add a bright and airy touch to your space.
I love these sheer curtains from Amazon for a more dreamy vibe.
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17. Get a desk organizer
From pens to notebooks to phone chargers to books, it can get pretty tough to avoid clutter piling up on your desk. A desk organizer is a total life-changer for managing clutter and keeping all of your desk accessories together.
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18. Try a utility cart
Utility carts are another college dorm necessity that has been super trendy in 2022. They also have a modern, industrial look that fits in so well with minimalist bedroom decor. You can use these carts to store books, cute plants, bathroom toiletries, school supplies, and roll it around to wherever you need it.
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19. Get a key basket
A key basket is a super subtle addition to your dorm room, but I think it really helps tie together a minimalist bedroom. Having hooks on your wall to hang your keys and lanyards can look a bit cluttered–a key basket on your desk or dresser definitely has a more cohesive feel. It’ll also help clear up your surfaces for a clean, organized look.
20. Basic throw pillows
Throw pillows are the easiest way to elevate your dorm room style. To keep up with a minimalist aesthetic, stick with solids and basic colors. Your bed will look refined and simple.
21. Wire wall art
I’m completely obsessed with wire wall art for minimalist college dorm rooms. This wall decor is so simplistic and modern, but adds so much life to your empty wall space. There are endless options when it comes to wire wall art, from quotes to shapes and everything in between.
22. Photo grids
Hanging photos on your dorm room walls is a super cute way to decorate your space and feel closer to home. If you don’t want your photos to be hung up in a messy, cluttered collage, you can use a grid to organize them. With these cute wire grids, you’ll be able to surround yourself with pics of your loved ones while still having an organized, cohesive look.
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As a college student, you will definitely thrive in a dorm room that is clean, uncluttered, and spacious. These minimalist dorm room ideas are the best way to achieve that look and create a space that is comfortable, relaxing, and feels just like home.
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