15 Fun Dorm Wall Decor Ideas to Help It Feel Like Home

Know a student who likes to show their school spirit in style? This custom university banner is a great graduation gift idea. Simply give the Etsy seller the name of the college you’d like embroidered on the canvas flag and your preferred yarn color, and they’ll create a unique and timeless decoration that will last long after the diploma.

College can be overwhelming for a new first year (or any year, really!). But this erasable large wall calendar can at least help with keeping their busy class schedule in check. Bonus: The rainbow-bright hues will add a cheerful and colorful touch to any blank slate dorm room wall. The seller even provides tips for different ways to hang the calendars.

Decorating with a few (real or fake) plants can give an otherwise stark dorm room some texture and life, and this set of small three ceramic planters is small and simple enough to work in even the narrowest space. For a special touch, fill the planters with cuttings or seeds taken from plants at home for those times they might be feeling a little homesick.

These magical string lights are battery operated, which makes them super portable—so much easier for hanging above a dorm bed or in a narrow window space—and less likely to be a fire hazard. Even better, this particular set comes with clear clips for hanging photographs, postcards, and the like for additional ways to personalize them.

There’s a lot on the to-do list when it comes to back-to-school shopping. Who has time to map out a whole gallery wall? Not you! Make life easier by going with a wall frame kit that has all the pieces one needs. The warm wood frames are neutral enough that they’ll go with whatever photographs or artwork you choose.

If the dorm room is super narrow, it might be hard to find places for extra lighting. A standing lamp can take up space, a nightstand is never a guarantee, and a dresser or desk is often taken over by the microwave and other things. A light that can hang on the wall is a good compromise, especially if it adds a decorative element like this fun neon number. It comes in hot pink, blush, red, orange, yellow, green, blue, teal, purple, or white to match any dorm decor color scheme.

Before your student leaves for college, ask them to make a vision board full of their hopes and dreams on this linen fabric pinboard. Then, hang it on the wall over their desk or bed in their new dorm room. It’ll be something they can look at any time they need a quick dose of inspiration or motivation.

If the college has strict rules about mounting things on the wall, these self-adhesive wooden hooks are a practical (and colorful!) solution. Place them near the closet for organizing hats and coats, above a desk to hang art, or wherever you need. You can buy it as a single hook or in a set. Our recommendation? Go big—you can never have too many hooks!

Every college student appreciates having a mirror near the doorway for a last look before they go out, but it can be tricky to find one that is easy to install and fits the school guidelines. Luckily, this metal framed mirror comes with 3M adhesive strips and a screw and anchor so it can be hung either way.

Transform a dorm room in minutes with a self-adhesive wall arch decal. Our suggestion? Put it up behind the bed in lieu of a headboard for an instant and eye-catching pop of color.

Some college students like to hang dry erase boards on their dorm door as a fun way for friends and floormates to leave messages and little jokes. This wood letter board can serve the same creative purpose with a little more of a stylish flair.

A pennant or banner is a simple way to add some texture and mix up a gallery wall of pictures or other decor. And “these are the good old days” seems like a good mantra for a college student to keep in mind—it’ll remind them to make the most of these four short but memorable years.

Another graduation gift idea: This Etsy seller will make customizable college theme posters for any school and color theme. Just note that it comes as a digital download only, so you’ll need to print and frame them yourself. However, reviewers say the seller is quick with communication and fulfills any design request no matter how big or small the school.

Space can be limited in a small dorm room, so decor that’s also functional helps. Not only is this full-length mirror so slim that it won’t take up much space, but it also swivels 360 degrees to reveal a pinboard on the other side. Twenty push pins are even included—perfect for adding family and friend pics and postcards from home.

Floating shelves are the kind of do-it-all decor a dorm room needs. Use it for decorating or to organize—or both! A cubby shelf like the one included here works if you’re looking to do a mix of the two. The top shelf can hold picture frames or small figurines, while the cubbies work for books or toiletries. You can be creative with the location, too. It works just as well next to the bed as a makeshift nightstand as it does near the mini fridge as a place for all those study snacks.