Whether you are moving into a dorm room, apartment, or other on-campus housing, your room is not only a place where you will sleep, but where you will do homework, hang out with friends and spend extra downtime in. Because you will inevitably be using your room for so many different things, it is important to create an environment that is both welcoming and cozy and is a space that you look forward to coming back to each day. These tips for dorm room decorating ideas are sure to spice up your room and make it a place you love!

Creating the Optimal Sleeping Space

Above all, your dorm or apartment is where you will be going back to sleep each night, and if we’re being 100% honest, the mattresses that are provided by colleges often come up short (or lumpy!). When you are staying up late doing homework or going out with friends, the last thing you’ll want to do is go to sleep on an uncomfortable mattress. Help yourself out ahead of time and look for a mattress that you’ll be excited about sleeping on each night and will leave you feeling fresh in the morning. Twin-sized internet famous beds that come in a large box or bag are perfect for transportation—especially with the limited car space you’ll have during move-in—and come in different types including innerspring, foam and memory foam. Don’t forget a mattress protector to keep your new mattress clean.

When decorating your room, finding a fun bedding set is the perfect way to incorporate different colors or patterns into your room. As your bed is the center of your room, what you choose to put on it will make a big difference in the aesthetic of your space. You can also go a step further by adding fun throw pillows or pillowcases to include even more colors or incorporate a certain theme you have.

Selecting your Seating

Although you will mainly be sleeping in your room, there are going to be lots of times when you are looking for a quiet place to do homework or a space to hang out with friends, and if you have a room that you enjoy, this is a great place to spend extra time! In order to create the most comfortable and welcoming place for yourself and others, it is essential to have comfortable seating. Although it may be unavoidable at times, no one wants to sit on the floor! The best place to start is finding a futon or accent chairs that complement your decor and are comfortable for multiple people to sit on for extended periods of time.

Another great addition to a dorm or apartment is a pouf. These are great for alternative seating and are small enough to be tucked into a closet when they aren’t being used. They can also easily double as an ottoman and can incorporate fun patterns into your room. Poufs are bound to be much more comfortable than the floor or a pillow being used as a chair, and are perfect for larger groups!

The last, and arguably most important, form of seating in your dorm room is your desk chair. Your desk is more than likely where you will get ready each morning, do homework, take virtual classes and more. When you’re spending so much time in one place, it is absolutely essential to make sure you are comfortable. Upgrading your desk chair will help you to become more comfortable spending extended amounts of time at your desk and can help boost your productivity and even double as extra seating when you entertain!

Designing a Room You’ll Want to Spend Time in

Since you will be living in your dorm room or apartment for (at least) nine months, you want to ensure it is going to be a place you’ll enjoy. One of the most popular ways to do this is by picking a theme for your decor and furniture pieces. Regardless of what you choose for your theme, here are some of our best ideas for dorm room decorating to seamlessly integrate colors, patterns and textures:

• Accent pillows are a perfect way to add pops of color to your room and can go either on your bed, futon or accent chairs. These can be replaced from season to season to keep your room looking fun and fresh.

• Throw blankets are great for adding dimension to your room, but are also a must for movie nights, homework parties and cold winter nights.

• Area rugs can add a lot to your room and will make it seem much more like a home.

• Wall decor is a great way to let your personality shine through your room. Add pictures of hobbies you have, places you enjoy, or colors that bring you joy. This is the easiest way to incorporate different aesthetics into your space.

These dorm room ideas are sure to create a space that is unique to you and that you will love to spend time in! Planning early for what you will use to furnish and decorate will allow you to create your at-school sanctuary as soon as you move in and give you a place where you can feel comfortable, productive, and energized.