Digital creator Ashley is taking on a fun challenge by giving an NYU dorm room a massive makeover for Yumi, a senior resident assistant. While Yumi's space is actually quite spacious for a city campus, it definitely needs a fresh pop of personality and style. Armed with ten clever decorating tips, Ashley is ready to turn this blank canvas into a cozy haven. Are you ready to see how a few simple changes can completely elevate a basic college room?
You simply cannot decorate without the right decor, so the first step is a major shopping trip. To save precious time during the busy back-to-school season, Ashley recommends ordering everything online and using in-store pickup near your campus. She used Target's college pickup service to grab all her essentials quickly. It makes the entire process incredibly smooth and stress-free.
Everyone remembers to buy a hamper for their dirty clothes, but having a second one for clean laundry is a total game changer. If you are prone to leaving freshly washed clothes on your bed, they will inevitably get wrinkled when you sleep on them. A dedicated clean laundry basket keeps your fresh clothes crisp and out of the way until you have time to fold them.
Rearranging the standard dorm furniture can instantly make the room feel much larger. Ashley moved the bed away from the window and swapped the desk and couch locations to create distinct zones. Now Yumi has a clear division between her quiet study area and a welcoming lounge space for her friends. Do not be afraid to ditch the default layout and find what works best for you.
Moving furniture around often means sacrificing access to valuable wall outlets. To solve this common dorm problem, Ashley brought in special bed risers equipped with built-in power outlets and USB ports. These handy gadgets not only lift the bed for extra under-bed storage but also keep phones and lamps easily plugged in.
While comforters are cozy, a duvet is definitely the smarter choice for college living. Dorm washing machines are rarely large enough to handle a bulky comforter when snack spills inevitably happen. A stylish duvet cover is much easier to strip off and toss in the wash. Plus, this cute patterned set from Target served as the color inspiration for the rest of the room.
You can easily fake a luxurious headboard using a classic internet DIY trick. By hanging a small curtain rod with removable wall hooks, Ashley draped a sheer curtain right behind the bed. She then tucked warm string lights behind the fabric to create a gorgeous, glowing canopy. It adds a magical ambiance and doubles as perfect accent lighting for late-night studying.
College lounge furniture is notoriously drab, and Yumi's standard navy blue couch simply did not match the new aesthetic. Instead of buying a slipcover, Ashley stretched a large, textured blanket over the cushions and tucked it in tightly. She applied the same clever trick to the desk chair using a folded throw blanket. It instantly made the bulky furniture look cohesive with the room's fresh color palette.
When friends come over to hang out, having extra seating is an absolute must. Ashley opted for stylish floor cushions that can easily be tucked away when not in use. She also added a cute pink ottoman that works as a seat, a makeshift nightstand, and a hidden storage bin. Multi-purpose items are the ultimate secret weapon for maximizing small dorm spaces.
When packing for a college move, a hardware level is usually the last thing on anyone's mind. Fortunately, you do not need a bulky toolbox to hang your wall art perfectly straight. You can simply download a free leveling app right on your smartphone. Just rest your phone on top of your frames to ensure everything is perfectly aligned.
It is incredibly easy for small keepsakes, notes, and photos to turn into a cluttered mess on your desk. To keep things tidy, Ashley installed a chic geometric wire organizer on the wall. Having a designated spot for mementos keeps them looking intentional and stylish rather than messy. It is the perfect finishing touch to personalize the space.
It was finally time to bring Yumi back in to see her brand new dorm room. She was completely blown away by the gorgeous colors and the cozy, welcoming atmosphere. From the glowing canopy bed to the clever storage solutions, the room feels like a stylish apartment rather than a standard dorm. It is safe to say this makeover is going to make her senior year absolutely unforgettable!
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