This is a collaborative sponsored post with affiliate links, meaning that if you make a purchase from the link, the author might make a small commission off your purchase, at no cost to you. This helps sustain the blog! Thanks! xx
Every college student wants to have a perfectly decorated dorm for the holidays. Unfortunately, there are some hurdles most have to jump through to achieve that goal.
College students have to work with dorm regulations, limited space, and a tight budget. It can be hard to think up ideas when you are under such strict limitations. To help out, we have compiled a list of affordable holiday dorm decor ideas.
Light of All Kinds
Have you really decorated for the holidays if you haven’t hung up a festive string of lights? There are so many different variations of lights to choose from that there is something for everyone.
Drape these across anything and everything in your room to add a magical touch. Remember to check your school’s Christmas lights policy before hanging as some schools forbid lights.
Related-> Ways to Give Back this Christmas
Mini Live Tree
If you are one of those people that misses the look and smell of a live tree, then this is the perfect option for you. Order a mini potted tree that is easy to move around, will fit in your dorm, and is simple to dispose of after the holidays. This will add something to your room that no other dorms have.
Quirky Ornaments
Add little knick-knacks around your room to spice up your dorm decor. You don’t have to spend a ton to achieve a cool look. Head to your local thrift store to find some really unique and quirky items. Place these things on top of your dresser and desks, on the windowsill, and anywhere else you can think of.
Holiday Welcome Mat / Rug
While there is not much you can do with that dingy dorm floor, you still do have some options when it comes to holiday decor. Consider swapping out the area rug by your bed for a more festive theme. You can also try adding a wintery welcome mat outside your door for the rest of the season. You may even want to change out your bath mats depending on how far you wanna take it.
Mini Stockings
While it would be amazing to have a full fireplace and mantlepiece you could decorate with stockings, most college students don’t have that option. So instead of buying huge heavy stockings that you won’t have anywhere to put, consider buying mini-stockings that you and your roommate can customize. Stockings like these can easily hang on the wall and be monogrammed with the help of a permanent marker.
Festive Pillows
Your bed takes up a bunch of your dorm room, so if it is not festive, it will be very noticeable. Since most college students don’t have the extra cash to drop on a holiday-themed bedding set, there are some simple ways you can decorate your bed without spending too much coin.
Buy some decorative pillows like this baby it’s cold outside one. Consider adding a fuzzy throw blanket that goes with your pillows too.
Christmas Card Display
One of the staple pieces in college decor is turning everything into a decoration. Since you will be getting a ton of holiday cards from your family, professors, people on your floor, etc. you can use those to your advantage.
Take a string of lights and a few clothespins and pin the holiday cards against the light. This creates a super simple piece of decor that you can keep adding to all holiday season.
Wrapping Paper Wall Art
It is probably not in your budget to buy an entirely new set of holiday-themed wall art for your dorm and even if it is, who has time for that? A quick and easy way to switch your dorm look from everyday to holiday is by wrapping up your wall art in reused festive wrapping paper.
This is also an amazing way to reuse and repurpose material that would otherwise simply be thrown away!
Misletoe + Festive Greenery
A super simple way to add some holiday cheer to your dorm is by adding some holiday-themed greenery to the room. You can find cheap fake versions that you can reuse or scout around campus for some fresh greenery.
Drape this across your window sills, doorways, and desk to make your room into holiday heaven. Don’t forget to hang some mistletoe above your doorway for extra holiday fun!
Wall Christmas Tree
Since most dorms aren’t even big enough to house more than three guests, a full-size Christmas tree is probably not an option for most college students. While you might not have an abundance of floor space, you do have four walls with a ton of blank space.
Fill this space with a Christmas tree for your wall. There a ton of options for customizable Christmas trees that hang flat on your wall. You could create your own with tinsel or lights, buy a chic metal tree, hang a Christmas tree tapestry, or design a trendy one to match your space.
