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Walking into a drab dorm room, with its cold cinder block walls and concrete floors, can be daunting for someone who just left home for the first time. It’s not always easy to see the design potential and envision this space as home right away. While posters and a mini-fridge can help breathe life into a dorm room, they don’t add any warmth.
To remedy this, we’re sharing our favorite cozy enhancements to help transform a dorm room into a warm and inviting space! And here’s the good news for you, parents — you don’t need to spend a ton of money to cozify your kid’s dorm room. A few small, inexpensive touches — a soft throw blanket for chilly fall nights, some colorful plants, and a furry throw rug — can really perk up a dull dorm room and make it feel like home.
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Essential Oil Diffuser
Image Credit: Walmart. Warm faux-flame vibes plus soothing scents instantly make even a cinderblock dorm feel relaxing.
Faux flame aromatherapy diffuser and cool mist humidifier, $15.99 at Walmart.
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Photo Decor
Image Credit: Shutterfly. Personalized pillows and blankets wrap the room in familiar faces and happy memories.
Custom photo-printed pillows and blankets, $32.99 and up at Shutterfly.
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Lap Desk
Image Credit: Amazon. A cushioned lap desk turns any corner (or bed) into a comfy study nook.
Lap desk, $29.99 at Amazon.
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Bamboo Sheets
Image Credit: Quince. Silky, breathable sheets make a twin XL feel luxe and lounge-worthy.
Bamboo sheet set, $99.90 at Quince.
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Washable Rug
Image Credit: Ruggable. A soft, machine-washable rug adds warmth underfoot and hides cold dorm floors.
Washable area rug, $239 and up at Ruggable.
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Photo Clip String Lights
Image Credit: Amazon. Gentle string lights with photo clips create soft ambiance and a mini gallery wall.
Fairy string lights with clear photo clips, $11.98 at Amazon.
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Faux Sheepskin Chair Cover
Image Credit: Amazon. Plush texture upgrades a basic desk chair into a cozy perch.
Faux sheepskin chair cover, $18.99 at Amazon.
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Digital Photo Frame
Image Credit: Amazon. A rotating slideshow of home and friends brings comfort — and lets students easily transform digital photos on their smartphone into a decor moment.
Aura digital photo frame, $149 at Amazon.
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Soothing Artwork
Image Credit: Society6. Calming wall art sets a peaceful tone and softens blank walls.
“Breathe” wall hanging, $49 at Society6.
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Weighted Blanket
Image Credit: Eli & Elm. Gentle pressure helps melt stress and makes movie nights extra snuggly.
Weighted comforter, $168 from Eli & Elm.
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Velvet Desk Chair
Image Credit: Amazon. A cushy, velvet seat feels inviting for late-night study sessions.
Velvet desk chair, $99.99 at Amazon.
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Decorative Bedding
Image Credit: Urban Outfitters. A pretty duvet pulls the whole room together and makes the bed the coziest spot.
Falling Vines Floral Duvet Cover, Twin XL, $89 at Urban Outfitters.
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Photo and Display Wall
Image Credit: Amazon. Grid panels corral mementos and pics into a warm, personalized focal point.
Decorative wall grid panels, $20 at Amazon.
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Knit Throw Blanket
Image Credit: Amazon. A chunky knit throw adds instant texture and grab-and-go warmth.
Knited throw blanket, $20.99 at Amazon.
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Plants & Greenery
Image Credit: Amazon. Low-maintenance succulents bring life and calm to tight spaces.
Live succulents (assorted 5 pack), $11.99 at Amazon.
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Welcome Doormat
Image Credit: Amazon. A cheerful doormat warms up the entry and keeps dirt (and chaos) at bay.
Welcome doormat, $22.59 at Amazon.
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Throw Pillows
Image Credit: Amazon. Soft, mix-and-match pillows add color, comfort, and lounge-ability.
Boho decorative 18 by 18 inch pillow covers, set of 2, $32.99 at Amazon.
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Small Rug
Image Credit: Amazon. A compact accent rug layers in pattern and coziness where space is tight.
Southwestern rug, $41.95 at Amazon.
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Floor Seat Cushion
Image Credit: Amazon. A plush floor cushion creates extra comfy seating for friends.
Floor seat cushion, $25.99 at Amazon.
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Blackout Curtains
Image Credit: Amazon. Light-blocking curtains invite better sleep—and a cocoon-like feel.
Amazon Basics blackout window curtains, $29.98 at Amazon.
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Chic Lamp
Image Credit: Amazon. A table lamp with warm light makes late nights feel soft, not sterile.
Table lamp, $29.99 at Amazon.
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Silk Pillowcase
Image Credit: Amazon. A luxe silk pillowcase keeps skin cool, hair smooth (early A.M. class, take that!), and makes bedtime feel extra indulgent.
Slip silk pillowcase, $115 at Amazon.
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Mattress Topper
Image Credit: Amazon. A gel-foam topper transforms a stiff dorm mattress into a cozy nest.
Sealy gel foam memory mattress topper, $134 at Amazon.
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