Heading back to school this fall? 5 tips for styling your dorm on a budget

Aug 11 2017, 6:34 am

The sun is shining, the beaches are packed, and the campus bookstore is empty. Summer is still here for now but, the reality is, back-to-school season is just around the corner.

Getting back into the school routine can be tough, but nothing says welcome back like a newly decorated dorm room.

Having an Instagram-worthy dorm can be tricky on a student budget, so here are some cost-efficient design tips from RedFlagDeals.com, your go-to platform for back-to-school deals.

Image courtesy of RedFlagDeals

Be smart about storage

Dorm rooms typically don’t come with lots of space, so think outside the box when it comes to storage. Try storing emptied suitcases and roll out bins under your bed. Keep your keyboard in a desk drawer to maximize study space, and use stackable crates or boxes to utilize vertical space in your dorm.

Closet organizers are another great way to save space. Keeping things organized and packed away will help open up the space and make it appear larger.

Pick the right bedding

Image courtesy of RedFlagDeals

In a compact space like a dorm, your bed is the focal point. A neutral colour will open up the space, but you can add excitement to the room with colourful and patterned pillows. With a neutral bedspread, you can easily mix and match pillows in vibrant hues and prints.

The best part about mixing and matching pillows is that you can add pieces over time. To keep things cost-efficient, wait to add new pillows to your collection when you find a great deal, like this aqua throw pillow.

Not sure how to mix and match? Try florals or nature-inspired prints with geometric patterns and pick pillows of different sizes, shapes, and textures.

Add some greenery

Image courtesy of RedFlagDeals

Adding potted plants to your room is an easy and affordable way to liven up the space. Succulents and cacti are low maintenance plants that look good with any theme or style. And no need to worry if you don’t have a green thumb, there are plenty of realistic artificial plants that will do the trick.

The great part about plants (real or fake) is that you can store them in nearly anything. Since we’re talking about saving space, a hanging terrarium will keep plants off your desk area. If you don’t want to spring cash for a terrarium or pot, try growing them in a mason jar or an old candleholder.

Keep things bright

When exam period rolls around, student-life can get pretty stressful. Hang some string lights in your dorm to help brighten up the space and bring your spirits up. You can even get them in blue and amber hues to help boost productivity and act as light-therapy during the dreary winter.

If you’re feeling crafty, use clothes pins to hang photos off the lights for a personal touch. String lights come in a variety of lengths and shapes and are easy to hang with push-pins or with sticky hooks. If you don’t want to use string lights to hang your photos, a memory board is a great way to do so instead.

Think textiles

Image courtesy of RedFlagDeals

Dorm rooms can be pretty barren when it comes to furniture so a cozy rug or curtains make things much homier and add dimension to the room. Area rugs can be a great statement piece with bold colours or designs, just be sure to keep the other elements of your dorm (like your bedding) more neutral to balance things out. Alternatively, stick to something simple like a white shag rug. Either way, stepping out of bed onto a soft rug is surely more appealing than whatever flooring is on campus.


Decorating your dorm on a budget doesn’t mean you have to compromise on design or quality. Finding the right sales will ensure you get the best bang for your buck. Be sure to check out RedFlagDeals.com to find the best deals on all things back-to-school. Here are some great deals available right now to get you started:

Connect with RedFlagDeals.com on Twitter and Facebook to stay up-to-date on all the best deals for back-to-school this year, and download their app so you never miss out.

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