For generations, the college dorm room was little more than a place to sleep: a standard-issue bed, a desk, and maybe a poster or two taped to the wall. But, over the years, dorm décor has evolved. Today, some spaces can look and feel as thoughtfully designed as an upscale home bedroom.
With inspiration from social media and an increasing number of dorm-specific retailers, some students and parents are putting considerable time, effort, and money into how the spaces look and feel.
This investment is significant. Overall back-to-school spending by college students and their families was predicted to rise to $88.8 billion in July 2025. That’s up from $86.6 billion the previous year, according to the National Retail Federation.
The Social Media Influence
The trend toward elaborate dorm décor has been heavily influenced by social media posts and articles showing decked-out college sorority houses. For example, The Wall Street Journal ran a 2024 story that highlighted the University of Alabama’s Delta Zeta house and its $17 million-dollar, 40,000-square-foot “palace.”
Allison Romero, co-owner of A&A Designs in Northern Virginia, says she has seen an uptick in requests for dorm decorating in recent years. “Clients started coming to me and saying, ‘Look at these sorority girls living in what looks like high-end hotels,’” Romero says. “A lot of people wanted to be a part of that, too.”
The trend has led to the rise of what some call the “dorm aesthetic” — a cohesive look that transforms a small, shared room into something that feels more curated.
Romero says clients often request layered bedding, coordinated pillows, and decorative accents that tie the room together. Other popular touches include custom-sized rugs, curtains hung with tension rods, and furniture additions like ottomans that can double as seating and storage.
Although it may seem like these types of decorated dorms come with a large price tag, Romero says you don’t need a big budget to create a cohesive look.
“You can find a lot of high-end alternatives like battery-operated sconces or candles and secondhand furniture on Wayfair or Facebook Marketplace,” she says. “All you really need is a plan and a color palette.”
Some colleges partner with dorm rental companies such as Dorms Direct, which allow students to rent bed lofts, headboards, futons, TVs, mini fridges, and more.
“This system has students come to campus with these items already set up for them,” says Harriet Kandell, director of housing and residence life at William & Mary. “At the end of the academic year, the items are picked up once the students move out.”
Rules of the Room
While student creativity is often encouraged by universities, dorm living still comes with limitations.
“Every university is going to have their own policies about what can and can’t be brought into the dorm,” says Shanna Carmack, assistant dean of students in the office of Housing and Residence Life at the University of Virginia.
These guidelines are usually outlined on college websites, and they include restrictions tied to safety. Most dorms prohibit large open-coil appliances such as full-sized fridges or toasters. Candles, incense, and items with open flames are also commonly banned.
“Many universities will have policies about how much of your wall can be covered, and whether or not you can hang things on the ceiling,” Carmack says.
Students should also be mindful of newer restrictions which include prohibiting e-bikes and e-scooters from being stored inside residential facilities due to fire hazards.
Roommate Relationships
Most universities require students to share a dorm room with at least one other person. Universities encourage students to connect early and discuss living arrangements before move-in day. In some cases, roommates work together to build design boards and purchase coordinated collections that include bedding, pillows, and décor.
“A lot of girls will come up with ideas for their rooms together and will ask me to find items that fit their vision,” Romero says. “Others work together and create their own vision boards on Pinterest, or they’ll use sites like Dormify, which provide specific recommendations that parents can purchase themselves.”
In other cases, coordination is more limited. Some students agree to split the cost of shared items while keeping their individual spaces distinct. And sometimes, one roommate simply isn’t interested in decorating at all.
“At that point, you just make your side as nice as you can,” Romero says. “Sometimes that’s all you can do.”
But the biggest way to avoid roommate conflicts is to communicate before and throughout move-in season. Deciding how to divide purchasing shared items — such as fridges, electronic or gaming devices, and furniture — can help avoid unnecessary travel and labor.
Dorm Necessities
While decorating dorms gets much of the attention, what students need to bring to campus is just as important.
Jeff Schwartz, a NoVA parent of two recent college graduates, says the most important step is understanding the room itself. Before buying anything, he recommends looking at school resources or parent social media groups for details on room size, layout, and features.
“These dorms rooms are really tiny,” he says. “But we were able to measure and plot everything out so we could really maximize the space.”
Beyond room dimensions, some items may have odd sizing or placements. Buying the wrong bedding, under- or overestimating storage space, and impractically placed outlets are some of the issues families often face. And even with planning, experts say it’s easy to bring too much.
“I think people generally overpack, particularly for their first year,” Carmack says.
She recommends starting light and filling in gaps after move-in. Visiting a local grocery or big box store can help families purchase items their child will use and allows the students to familiarize themselves with the area.
Seasonal changes also play a significant role in determining what to bring. For students in colder climates, bulky winter gear can be mailed or swapped with summer clothing during school breaks to save space. Schwartz also warns against packing expensive clothing.
“My daughter would buy clothing that could be thrown out if something spilled on it or if she accidentally left it,” Schwartz says. “You know, clothing she didn’t care too much about.”
Make a Dorm a Home
Whether a dorm is styled with simple or lavish décor, the goal is the same — to create a space where students feel comfortable away from home. Although some students may want a highly curated room, the decorative additions may not always be functional.
“I think a lot of people focus on making their dorms perfect and ‘Instagram-worthy,’” Carmack says. “But sometimes they forget that they have to live in it, too.”
What to Pack
Bedding & Sleep
- Twin or twin XL bedding
- Mattress topper
- Bedside caddy
- Long phone charging cable
Storage & Organization
- Under-bed storage bins
- Hanging closet organizer
- Slim or multi-use hangers
- Laundry bags or baskets (two for sorting is helpful)
- Detergent and dryer sheets
- Hooks for towels, bags, jackets, etc.
Study Supplies
- Desk lamp (ideally with built-in charging ports)
- Power strips and extension cords
- Laptop or tablet supported by the school IT
- Quality bag or backpack
Bathroom & Health
- Shower shoes
- Shower caddy
- Toiletries
- Basic medicine kit
Feature image, stock.adobe.com
This story originally ran in our June issue. For more stories like this, subscribe to Northern Virginia Magazine.
