Unique Dorm Decor Ideas

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Are you sick of posters? Do you want something more unique than a tapestry? Well, friends, look no further. I’ve got some great unique dorm decor ideas that’ll make your room stand out.

It’s never too late to redecorate your room and these ideas can also easily be applied to your bedroom at home!

1. Greeting Cards

I hate when I get a gorgeous greeting card and end up throwing it away. I don’t know if you’ve done this, too, but I used to save all of the birthday cards and graduation cards everyone would give me. That takes up a ton of space, though, and a lot of pretty cards get hidden away.

The prettiest and most decor-worthy cards I found were from PAPYRUS‘ line of 44 cards that are inspired by Taylor Swift and her aesthetic. These cards are literally artwork–there are so many tiny details and embellishments like stitching,actual fabric and chains. These hand-crafted cards are the definition of unique dorm decor because how could you not display it?

One of my favorite ideas for this is to string them on your wall using twine and clothespins.

If you give your friend this card for her birthday or a different occasion, include some tiny clothes pins and twine with a note encouraging her to collect more cards and string them on her wall as pretty decor and reminders of the people who got them for her. A lot of these cards focus on friendship and there’s a card for every occasion (or blank ones) so they’re perfect if your friend needs a little pick me up or is celebrating something special. Or, lowkey, you can buy them for yourself which I did.

2. Business Cards

This sounds so weird, but I’ve been collected business cards from my favorite shops, restaurants, bakeries and ice cream parlors for a long time and let me tell you–they’re gorgeous. These little business cards can serve as fun, unique dorm decor while reminding you of all of your favorite places.

Some fun ways to display them would be lining them up in a frame, on a cork board, or, again, strung on twine or surrounded by washi tape.

3. Record sleeves.

Own a lot of records of your favorite albums? Put them on display! Hanging up your favorite album covers on your wall is perfect, especially if you’re a huge music buff. If you don’t actually own the records, simply print out your favorite covers. If you want bigger versions try going to a print shop for enlarged versions. You can also print larger versions at Target. I freaking love Target.

4. Party decorations

This sounds a little bit cheesy, but Target especially has a lot of really cute and affordable party decor. Some good ideas might be tassels or a hanging banner! Below is my best friend Kiera’s dorm, the banner is from the party section of Target and the anchor is a vinyl wall decal!

There are also a lot of pretty tissue paper pom poms in the party decor section which look gorgeous hung in windows. They also look really nice strung from your ceiling, but double check with your RA if that’s allowed before you do that. It’s probably not, TBH.

5. Polaroid photos

As if you need an excuse to buy a polaroid camera! I’ve mentioned the Fujifilm camera a few times on my blog, and I still love that I get instant gratification and dorm decor with these. Polaroids are super adorable and they’re a fun way to display photos of your friends and family without using the standard photos.

6. Washi Tape

Use washi tape to design cute frames! This is perfect for around your photos, posters or greeting cards. I am absolutely in love with this glitter washi tape and these Taylor Swift x PAPYRUS cards are absolutely perfect wall decor. Washi tape comes in so many patterns and even in glitter (YES. GLITTER!) so you can definitely find something that matches your dorm decor.

My housemates also shared a great idea with me which was to cover your light switch in some washi tape! I ended up using my leftover tape to create a striped pattern on my light switch and it makes me so happy whenever I turn my lights on.

7. Scrapbook paper

You know that awesome patterned paper you can find in craft stores? Try putting pieces in frames and adding them to your wall. It serves as a fun pop of color or pattern and can also double as a dry erase board if you’re using a frame that has glass over the front.

8. Vinyl Decals

This isn’t totally unique dorm decor, but it’s definitely more unconvential than a poster! There are so many of these for sale at Target or even online at Etsy. Vinyls are a fun, unique way to add something extra to your room without damaging your walls.

Pro tip: If you want to preserve them to use for next year, remove them carefully and lay them between two pieces of wax paper!

9. Icicle String Lights

String lights are in almost every dorm room, but if you’re looking for a unique twist on this, try icicle or waterfall lights. These lights cascade down your wall which looks gorgeous when it’s lit up! Once again, double check these are allowed in your dorm, some colleges might not allow it.

Also, all of the pretty Taylor Swift x PAPYRUS cards featured in this post can be found at this special display in Target stores!

What is your favorite dorm decor idea?