Traditional dorm room ideas and inspo.
Are you designing a traditional dorm room and looking for inspiration? You’ve come to the right place. Spoak has all the interior design inspiration to get those creative juices flowing. Browse room designs, inspiration images and decor ideas or take our free room design tool for a spin below!
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Design tips for decorating a traditional style dorm room
Here’s how to achieve the traditional aesthetic room of your dreams.What’s the best way to design and decorate a traditional dorm room?
Designing a dorm room requires maximizing the limited space while creating a comfortable and personal environment to support various activities from sleeping to eating to studying.
Most likely, your dorm room will come furnished already by your college or university. By incorporating the provided basics with your own storage elements, you can create an optimal dorm room layout. Each piece should be selected for its functionality, space efficiency, and the ability to make the dorm room feel like a personalized and comfortable living space:
- Bed Sheets & Duvet: Often the statement piece in every dorm room makeover, select a color or pattern for your sheets that sets the desired mood for the space and complements the traditional style you want to achieve. Many dorm room beds are extra long, make sure you get sheets that will fit!
- Bed Frame: A basic foundation for the mattress, often designed to incorporate storage underneath to utilize space efficiently. If you have the option, we’d recommend lofting your bed with your desk underneath to make the most of the available square footage.
- Desk and Chair: A workstation is crucial for studying and completing assignments. The desk should be compact yet functional, with the chair being comfortable enough for long study sessions.
- Bookshelves or Storage Units: To store textbooks, study materials, and personal items, maximizing vertical space with storage is a smart solution. Under-bed storage, hanging organizers, and stackable bins are essential for keeping belongings organized and out of the way in a small space.
- Dresser or Wardrobe: Clothing storage is necessary, and many dorm rooms come equipped with a built-in or standalone dresser or wardrobe.
- Accent Chair or Small Sofa: If space allows, an additional seating option can make the dorm feel more homey and provide a place for guests. Futons are common in dorm rooms as they can double as an extra bed for visiting BFFs.
- Side Table or Nightstand: A small table next to the bed or desk for a lamp, alarm clock, and storage for personal items is a great addition if you have the space.
- Rug: To add warmth and comfort to the often cold and sterile dorm room floors, a rug can also help to define the space and add a touch of personality.
- Curtains or Blinds: Window treatments not only help control the light and provide privacy but also serve to tie the room's design together. They offer an opportunity to inject color, texture, and pattern into the living space, making it more inviting and personalized. Whether flowing and sheer for a light, airy feel or rich and textured for a more luxurious look, curtains play a pivotal role in setting the tone and atmosphere of the dorm room. Don’t forget the curtain rod!
- Decorative Accessories: Now for the fun part:). Decorative accessories are the finishing touches that bring depth and personality to any space. Coordinate the color and pattern with the overall color scheme and traditional style to bring your design vision to life. By carefully selecting decor items such as posters and throw pillows, you can inject color, texture, and character into your room, transforming it from ordinary to extraordinary.
By integrating these elements into your dorm room's design, you can create a highly functional and efficient space that turns your dorm room into your home away from home! If you need an extra hand in your design process, check out our step-by-step guide on Dorm Room Design.
What materials and home decor should I use to achieve a traditional dorm room design?
Don’t let anyone tell you traditional interior design is synonymous with boring. A traditional design style exudes elegance and comfort, drawing inspiration from the 18th and 19th centuries in Europe and America. It's characterized by classic details, sumptuous furnishings, and a sense of orderly decor. Rich wood tones, decorative moldings, and an emphasis on symmetry contribute to the style’s formal and refined aesthetic. The traditional style creates a timeless and inviting atmosphere, where every piece tells a story of heritage and sophistication.
To achieve a traditional aesthetic in your dorm room, start with a neutral color palette for the walls and layer in rich textures. If you are set on a darker color, consider richer earth tones like chocolate, maroon, or navy, or a mix of colors in a patterned wallpaper for a more luxurious feel. Chenille, silk, brocade, and velvet are great fabric choices for upholstered furniture and window treatments. Bring in decorative elements that are more ornate like gold picture frames, chandelier light fixtures, oil paintings, and vintage rugs and textiles.