Let’s be honest: most dorm rooms for guys are… not great. Think off-white cinderblock walls, cold tile floors, fluorescent lighting, and not a shred of personality. That’s exactly what we were working with when we set out to transform a freshman dorm into a space that actually felt like home.
The goal? Create a room that was functional, cozy, and cool—without doing anything permanent (because: dorm rules) or overly expensive (because: college budget).
The first game changer: a headboard with a built-in charging station. Yes, really. It instantly made the bed look more finished, but even better—it was practical. No more fumbling for a phone charger in the dark or losing cords behind the mattress. It gave the bed area a more polished, grown-up vibe and became a central feature of the room. We loved this faux leather pottery barn headboard!
Next up: removable wallpaper. This was probably the biggest transformation visually. We chose a neutral but masculine peel-and-stick wallpaper that warmed up the space and made those ugly bright green cold, boring walls feel intentional. It was super easy to install and—more importantly—can be taken down at the end of the year without damaging anything.
We also tackled the classic dorm room struggle, lack of storage.
Under-bed drawer solution were essential, and we added a cube storage above the closet for all the extra essentials. For all the snacks, we used a 3-tiered rolling cart to keep everything organized. Keeping the desk clear and the closet organized made the whole room feel less chaotic (and let’s be real—more mom-approved).
Of course, we brought in personal touches to make the space feel like his. A few framed photos from home, a flag from his favorite team, a small speaker for music, and a simple rug to warm up the floor made a huge difference.
And finally, we made sure he had all the first-year must-haves: comfy Twin XL bedding (with a thick mattress topper!), a solid power strip for all the electronics, lots of snack storage and more.
The result? A dorm room that still checked all the boxes for rules and practicality—but felt way more like his space. Clean, functional, and actually a place he wanted to hang out in after class.
