Decorating Your College Apartment Bedroom: A Creative Guide

Decorating a college apartment bedroom can be a fun and exciting task. Whether you're moving into a new space or giving your current one a makeover, there are endless possibilities to explore. From deciding on a colour palette and choosing furniture to adding personal touches, the process can be overwhelming but ultimately rewarding. The key is to create a space that reflects your personality and makes you feel at home.

Choose a colour scheme or aesthetic

Choosing a colour scheme or aesthetic is a highly subjective process, so there is no right or wrong way to do it. The most important thing is to find a colour palette that feels right to you and reflects your personality. Here are some tips to help you choose a colour scheme for your college apartment bedroom:

• Find inspiration: Look for an image or item you love, such as a piece of artwork, an area rug, a photo, or a patterned fabric. Choose a colour combination that thrills you, and extrapolate it to your bedroom. You can also use a beautiful view outside as inspiration, such as the sea blue, sandy taupe, and white of a Greek oasis.
• Combine patterns by colour: This is an easy way to settle on a colour scheme you love. Find a pattern containing multiple hues that you love, whether it's an upholstered floral chair, a rug, or wallpaper.
• Consider your comfort level: Choose between clean and bright colours or soft and subtle shades. You can also decide whether you want your bedroom to be cozy and inviting or dramatic and dynamic.
• Plan your colour scheme: Map out your bedroom and list what will be in the room, such as the carpet, wall colours, and furniture. Gather swatches or paint chips that represent the colours of those items. Consider how you want the room to flow and the mood you want to create.
• Consider the lighting: The kind and amount of light in your bedroom will impact your colour scheme. Daylight is the perfect light source, but natural light changes throughout the day. Spend time in your bedroom at different times of the day to see how the shifting light affects the colours. Warmer colours can help soften shadows in rooms with less natural light.
• Ground your colour scheme with neutrals: Including neutral shades in your palette can make it easier to pull the space together. Interior designer Mark Woodman suggests that at least 50% of the colours in your palette should be neutral.
• Be judicious with "pop" colours: If a colour is only going to appear a few times in your bedroom, make sure it's a close match to create a purposeful look.
• Choose eye-pleasing colours: Stick to 2-4 basic colours from the same or similar families, and add no more than 1-2 complementary colours from a different colour family to break up a monotonous scheme.
• Go with all neutrals: Neutral colours like white, grey, and taupe can make a small space look larger. However, white will stain easily, so proceed with caution.
• Use your bedding colours to decorate the rest of your space: In a dorm room, the bed often becomes the main focal point. Using the colours of your bedspread or pillows as inspiration for the rest of the room is a common practice.
• Add colour with pillows, art, and linens: If you prefer a neutral background, you can add colour with small touches such as pillows, art, throws, window treatments, and lamps.

Decide on furniture

When it comes to deciding on furniture for your college apartment bedroom, there are a few key pieces you'll need to create a functional and stylish space. Firstly, it's essential to have a bed, nightstands, a desk, and a seating area. These pieces will provide you with a comfortable place to sleep, study, and relax. Look for furniture with clean, modern shapes and classic designs that will complement any decor style you choose.

In terms of the bed, consider a versatile neutral colour such as a sophisticated linen. You can also add a headboard, preferably a wooden one, which can serve as a focal point for the room. If space is limited, you may want to use a dresser as a bedside table, providing both storage and a unique aesthetic. To enhance the functionality of your bed, you can also incorporate a bench at the foot of the bed, providing extra seating and a unique element to the room.

For your nightstands, opt for pieces that offer a bit of personality. You can choose accent tables or chairs to bring your space to life and develop your chosen aesthetic. For instance, you could add a sheepskin armchair or a faux-fur bench to create a chic and cosy atmosphere. If you're looking for additional lighting, consider a bedside lamp or a salt lamp to create a warm and inviting ambiance.

The desk is an essential piece of furniture for any college student. Make sure you have a functional workspace by adding some fun elements, such as photos and decorative items. You can also hang string lights or neon signs to provide lighting and give your space a personal touch. If you have the luxury of extra space, consider incorporating a seating area with a comfortable accent chair, providing the perfect spot for guests to relax or for you to unwind.

Lastly, don't forget the little details that can elevate the overall look of your bedroom. Consider adding a large shelf or gallery wall above your bed to display decorative items and showcase your personality. Whether you choose to match your furniture or mix and match styles, remember to choose pieces that reflect your taste and create a cohesive and welcoming college apartment bedroom.

Pick wall decorations

When it comes to picking wall decorations for your college apartment bedroom, there are many options to choose from. Here are some ideas to get you started:

Botanical Wall Art

If you're looking for something cute and colourful, botanical wall art could be a great option. You can find affordable prints online or in stores, or even cut out pictures from a botanical book. This will add a touch of nature to your space and make it feel more lively.

Gallery Wall

Create a gallery wall above your bed by arranging fun canvases, pictures, wooden letters, or other items in a unique way. This is a simple and personal way to decorate your walls and make a statement. You can also use peel-and-stick removable wallpaper, which is renter-friendly and adds colour to your space.

Mirrors

Hanging a mirror above your bed is not only functional but also makes the room feel bigger and more spacious. It gives off a modern and feminine vibe, especially if paired with other decorative elements like string lights or plants.

Framed Prints

Instead of tacking paper to the wall, opt for framed prints that you can easily nail into the wall. Choose a selection of prints that coordinate in colour, style, or concept to create a cohesive look. You can also look for collage packs of prints that are already curated and ready to be hung.

Neon Signs

Neon signs are very trendy and can be found in various symbols or phrases to match your personality. They give off a subtle light, creating a cosy atmosphere in your bedroom.

String Lights

String lights are a versatile way to decorate your walls and ceiling. You can drape them around the corners of the walls or hang them from the ceiling for a dreamy effect. They add a cosy and magical vibe to your bedroom.

Add plants

Plants are a great way to decorate your college apartment bedroom. They add warmth and life to any space and are a great way to keep things fresh. If you're a plant killer, opt for fake succulents – places like Marshalls and TJMaxx have great options at reasonable prices. If you're up for the challenge of keeping a real plant alive, head to your local nursery for some fresh greenery.

When decorating with plants, remember that you should never use just one. Use them in balanced pairs in corners or entryways, or layer multiple plants of various sizes. Keep the colour of the leaves complementary – light green foliage together will create a tropical look, while dark greens are more modern and sophisticated. Plants can fill a corner, add life to a room, bring colour to a space, and create interest. They can also be used to add texture, such as on bookcases, or hung in corners to draw the eye up.

If you don't want lots of plants, focus on one great tree or palm in a fantastic planter. This will bring a softness to your interior space, which is usually more hard-edged. Alternatively, hang a plant from the ceiling to add interest and layers to your room. You can also use plants as a centerpiece on your table or counter. Get a narrow, longer vessel and add three different types of small cacti.

Use lighting to create a certain vibe

Lighting is a key element in creating a certain vibe in your college apartment bedroom. Here are some ways to use lighting to achieve a specific atmosphere:

Firstly, consider the type of lighting fixtures you want to incorporate. A bedside lamp can provide task lighting, but if you're looking for something more ambient, you might want to explore options like string lights or RGB changing night lights. These can be draped loosely along the top of the walls or hung in a canopy style over the bed to create a dreamy, cosy atmosphere. You could also opt for a salt lamp, which provides a warm and inviting glow.

Another way to enhance the lighting in your college apartment bedroom is by utilising natural light. Mirrors are a great way to reflect light and make the space appear brighter and more spacious. Consider hanging a mirror above your bed or placing it across from a window to maximise the effect.

If you're looking to create a fun and unique vibe, neon signs are a great option. They come in various symbols and phrases, allowing you to choose one that matches your personality. Neon signs emit a subtle light, perfect for those times when you don't need a bright lamp or overhead light.

Curtains can also play a role in creating a certain vibe with lighting. Opting for colourful or patterned curtains can help to diffuse light in an interesting way, creating a cosy and inviting atmosphere. Additionally, you can play with the lighting by incorporating different coloured pillowcases, throw pillows, and blankets.

Lastly, don't be afraid to mix and match lighting sources. Combining string lights with fairy lights or RGB lights can create a unique and personalised vibe in your bedroom. You can also use lighting to highlight certain features or areas of your room, such as a gallery wall or a vanity area.

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