Pace University is home to thousands of students with all different aesthetics, styles, and personalities. Everyone wants their dorm to feel homey, comfortable, and creative, but how do you do that without breaking the bank? It seems like nowadays decorating your dorm could cost hundreds of dollars. As college students, it is important to make your dorm feel like home without overspending. Therefore, here are ten ways to decorate your dorm on a budget while still making your space unique.
1. Shop at Budget Friendly Stores
Although stores such as Target and HomeGoods are common for dorm decor, they are often pricey. Try to stick to stores that offer cheaper alternatives when decorating on a budget. Five Below is often a popular choice due to its wide variety of items and trendy decor. For smaller decorations and desk knick-knacks, Dollar Tree is another budget-friendly choice. And don’t forget Dollar General, known for its cheap, yet stylish, room decor.
2. Consider Thrifting your College Decor
Thrifting is a trend that never goes out of style. Thrift stores are goldmines for vintage decorations and cheap room items. Not only does it help keep items out of our landfills, but giving thrifted decorations a new home is good for the environment! Westchester is home to many local thrift stores, including The Cherry Door Thrift Store in Tarrytown, Fantastic Finds in Chappaqua, and Yorktown Love in Action, in Yorktown Heights. Check out these thrift stores next time you’re in the market for new dorm decorations!
3. Grow Your Own Plants and Succulents
Fake greenery has become a very trendy way to spruce up any room, but why settle for plastic plants? Growing your own plants is budget-friendly, low-maintenance, and good for the environment. Also, who wouldn’t want some plants to improve their dorm’s oxygen? For only one or two dollars, students can purchase seeds for their favorite plants and grow their own indoor garden. If you have a pet, don’t forget to check if your plants are pet-safe!
4. Print Your Own Posters and Picture Collages
Whether you go to CVS, Walgreens, or use the printers on campus, printing photos is a cheap way to personalize your room. Try organizing a collection of pictures on your wall to match your aesthetic. Printed pictures are a great way to fill your wall space and make your dorm your own. After all, keeping pictures of your friends and family close by brings comfort to any space.
5. Keep an Eye Out for Sales and Clearance Items
Many popular college essentials stores, such as Target, Walmart, Marshalls, and Home Goods, often have overlooked sales and clearances. By keeping a lookout for discounted items, you can save tons on dorm decor every year. You can also try to shop around sale seasons such as Amazon Prime Day and Black Friday for ultimate savings.
6. DIY Your Dorm Decor
Whether it’s upcycling old magazine pages or decorating records, DIY dorm decor can be a super cute way to make your dorm unique. If you have a knack for creativity, maybe painting or crocheting could help you make your dorm feel like home. Besides, who doesn’t love a good bedazzling project? DIY materials are often cheap and reusable for numerous projects. Plus, crafting is a great stress reliever! Keep an eye out for DIY events hosted by various clubs and organizations across campus!
7. Cover Large Wall Areas with Tapestries or Flags
Many college students struggle to fill their walls with enough decor to cover them. Tapestries, banners, and flags are a cheap way to cover wall space to make your room more comfortable. Hanging flags and tapestries can also be versatile, ranging from funny to aesthetic. For under 20 dollars, students can cover the majority of a dorm wall with only one tapestry or flag.
8. Brighten Up Your Space with Fairy Lights
Everyone knows that the fluorescent ceiling light does not provide the coziest atmosphere. However, fairy lights or string lights are a cute, aesthetically pleasing way to brighten up your room. These lights are often cheap and do not require very frequent battery changes. Some students even hang pictures or cute notes off their fairy lights for added aesthetic. Just remember to keep them away from your tapestries to prevent a possible fire hazard!
9. Utilize Pace’s Partnership with Dormify
Dormify is a college essentials company that makes decor meant for college students and dorm rooms. Pace has partnered with Dormify to give students a significant discount on all their college essentials. Students can find everything from storage equipment to wall art at an affordable price.
10. Add a Canopy to make your Dorm Room Pop
Canopies are a great way to elevate your dorm decor. Make your dorm into your own princess paradise with this cheap hack. Students can easily use command strips or tape to attach a canopy and make their room homier. Canopies are also great for privacy in a shared space, giving students a little bit of peace and quiet.