No matter how small and cramped your dorm room may be, you can still find cute ways to store all your stuff — without spending a ton on organizers and decor. Give your room a chic update with these super easy (and cheap!) DIY dorm decor and storage hacks.
BED CANOPY
What You'll Need:
- Mosquito net canopy
- Hot glue gun
- Metal hook
- Ribbon and lace for trim
Directions:
1. Lay out the canopy, and measure out enough trim to stretch the length of both sides and around the hoop.
2. Lace the colored ribbon through the lace (or glue together).
3. Use the hot glue gun to attached the trim to the edge of the canopy and around the top of the hoop.
4. Attach the hook to the top of the canopy using a glue gun. Hang from the ceiling over your bed.
MAGNETIC MAKEUP BOARD
What You'll Need:
- Magnetic dry erase board
- Gold paint
- Patterned fabric
- Magnets
- Sequined trim for monogram
- Hot glue gun
- Fabric spray glue
Directions:
1. Cut the fabric or paper to fit the frame. (A thin fabric or paper works better so the magnet can connect to the metal board.)
2. Paint the frame of the magnetic board gold (or another color of your choice) and let dry.
3. Spray adhesive on the metal front of the board and attach the fabric square you cut out, or cover with stick-on paper.
4. Design your monogram onto the center of the board with the sequined trim, and use a hot glue gun to affix it to the center of the board.
4. Use the hot glue gun to attach magnets (or use sticker-backed magnets) to the back of your makeup. Hang your board and attach makeup.
LIGHT UP INITIALS
Supplies:
- Cardboard block letters
- White LED twinkle lights
- Gold (or other color of your choice) sticker paper
- Hole punch
- Scissors
Directions:
1. Cut the back of the cardboard letters off and save them to reattach later.
2. Mark where you want the lights to be on the front of the letters. Score the markings so you can poke the lights through them.
3. Trace the cardboard letters on the back of sticker paper and cut out. Then, affix the paper to the letter.
4. Use a hole punch to cut out the holes for the lights where you marked them. String the twinkle lights through the holes and hide the extra wires in the box before replacing the back of the letter to close it up. Plug it in and set on your nightstand or dresser.
ACCESSORIES ORGANIZER
Supplies:
- Silverware tray
- Hot glue gun
- Sticker backed paper
- Ribbon
- Fabric marker
Directions:
1. Clean an old silverware tray or buy a cheap drawer organizer.
2. Cut out strips of contact paper to fit the various individual sections of the tray.
3. Attach paper to tray. You can cover the entire thing, or just line each section.
4. Cut small strips of ribbon and use fabric marker to label each section before glueing to sides of tray.
GRAPHIC MIRROR
Supplies:
- Full-length mirror
- Colored duct tape
- Sticker paper
Directions:
1. Lay mirror down on flat surface. Choose one with a white or colored frame that matches your room (or you can cover the entire frame in colored duct tape).
2. Place duct tape along edge of mirror, or at an angle to create a cool design.
3. Cut strips of colored or patterned sticker paper.
4. Attach sticker paper along edge of frame, or layer over the duct tape to create a graphic design. Prop up the mirror against the wall or hang on the back of your door.
CHAIR COVER
What You'll Need:
- Desk chair
- Patterned fabric
- Sequin ribbon trim
- Hot glue gun
- Colored ribbon
- Colored yarn
- Fork
Directions:
1. Cut fabric so fits over the front and back of the chair.
2. Use a glue gun to attach sequin ribbon along both ends of the fabric.
3. Place fabric over the chair and secure by tying a ribbon around it and the chair.
4. Wrap yarn around a fork like you would spaghetti.
5. Tie ends of the yarn in a knot.
6. Cut yarn on each side of the fork and slide off. Pull on yarn gently to spread out and share into a pom pom. Tie to center of ribbon around chair.
FLOATING NIGHTSTAND
What You'll Need:
Directions:
1. Cover outside of magazine file with chalkboard chalkboard sticker paper.
2. Line inside of file with gold (or other color) sticker paper.
3. Paint edges of file. Use two colors to create a color-blocked design. Turn the file on its side and attach to the wall using nails or removable wall hangers.
PHOTO BANNER
What You'll Need:
- Photos
- Ribbon
- Hot glue gun
Directions:
1. Print photos of friends. (Horizontal images work best.)
2. Cut pics into triangles.
3. Use a glue gun to affix the back of photos to ribbon. Hang on your wall.
HAIR TOOLS ORGANIZER
What You'll Need:
- Plastic paint buckets
- Paint
- Fishing wire
- Wall hook
Directions:
1. Turn paint cans over.
2. Pour paint on top so drips over the sides. Layer two colors over each other for a cool, artsy look.
3. Use a brush to push the paint so it drips down sides of can. Let dry overnight. (The drips may be pretty thick and need a long time to dry.)
4. Once they're completely dry, remove the bucket's handles, and string fishing wire through the holes, connecting all three buckets. Hang on a hook from the ceiling, wall, or door.
REMOVABLE WALL DECOR
What You'll Need:
- Colored washi tape
- Scissors
Directions:
1. Cut strips of washi tape and stick to the wall to create cool 3-D shapes and designs.
2. Use a different color washi tape to make another shape. You could do a similar shape, or create a totally different design.
3. Stagger your designs to create a cool cluster.
4. Add accents around the shapes for added contrast.
Credits:
Photography: Kathryn Wirsing
Design: Katja Cho
Styling: Sarah Newell
Editor: Kristin Koch
Kristin Koch is the Editor in Chief of Seventeen, overseeing the content and editorial operations for all of Seventeen's digital and print efforts. Before coming to Seventeen, Koch held editor positions at Glamour, Vanity Fair, and The Knot. In 2016, she founded lifestyle blog, Closetful of Clothes, where she covers everything from style and interiors to travel. A Chicago native, Koch graduated from Colgate University with a degree in History. She loves pizza, rom-coms and HGTV.