DIY Dorm Decor Using Magazines & Photographs

I’ll admit it–sometimes I’m a magazine hoarder. I refuse to throw out old magazines and I always try to convince myself that I’ll somehow need it again in the near future. Truthfully, I usually never touch these magazines again, so they end up sitting in the corner of my room in a huge pile. As a dorm-residing college student, I am always looking for ways to spice up my plain white walls. Personally, I love bringing color into my room by adding colorful but simple room decor. Nowadays, there are so many online stores that sell cute wall decals and tapestries, but they often come at hefty prices. (Yes, I’m talking to you, Urban Outfitters!) So why not use old magazines (or old photos) to create some color and decorations in your room, without breaking the bank? Creating DIY dorm decor using old magazines is a perfect way to upcycle and reuse materials without having to go out to purchase new materials!

P.S. If you’re looking for some more inspiration or creative ideas, I would definitely recommend looking on Pinterest, Tumblr and Google!

Magazine Silhouettes

What You Need: Magazines, Tape, Glue/Adhesive, Scissors, Stencil/Pattern, Wood/Canvas/Board (or something to mount it on)

This is a perfect example of a way to upcycle old magazines! From far away, you can’t even tell these are made from magazines. This DIY uses strips of magazines rolled up, and cut to the specific pattern or any shape of your choice. 

Exact directions can be found here.

Magazine Letters or Shapes

What You Need: Magazines, Scissors, Adhesive

This is another great way to recycle pages from a magazine! This is totally customatizable from the color, sizing, and even the words. You can also cut out shapes to make a pattern, or even cut out quotes to cover a wall! 

Paper Heart Chimes

What You Need: String, Magazines, Scissors, Tape

This is a fun and pretty easy way to bring some instant color to your room! I made this DIY in my room (personal photo at bottom) and I am absolutely in love with it! Simply cut out hearts (from magazines), and tape them onto a string. The length and size of the chimes are totally up to you!

Cork Board Inspiration Board

What You Need: Magazines, Scissors, Pushpins, Corkboards (cheap ones can be found here)

Using corkboard squares or panels is an easy way to bring some style into your room. You can use it as an inspiration board to “pin” any inspiring or interesting things you find in magazines! These square cork boards come in packs of four or eight, and can be mounted to your liking. Similar cheap cork boards like the one above can be found here.

Magazine Ornaments

What You Need: Magazines, String, Glue (Hot glue gun will also work), Scissors

These ornaments are exciting and definitely unique. They will definitely make your room stand out! These magazine balls are super easy to make, and can be hung from lights or window ledges. You can even use these for decorations at a party!

Exact directions can be found here.

Organic Magazine Floral Art

What You Need: Magazines (or newspapers), Scissors, Adhesive 

The floral art made from magazines will instantly create some texture to your wall! This is a great idea for those looking to fill up any empty space on a wall. You can choose specific colors by using certain magazine pages, or even use newspaper. Simply cut strips of magazines out, and start creating your design!

Clothespin Photo Display

What You Need: Clothespins (or paperclips), String, Scissors, Photographs

This DIY is super simple and easy, you barely need instructions. Just attach the photos onto the string, and hang the photo display to your liking! You can use normal 4×6 photos, or you can make your photos look extra interesting by using a (free) template online to make them look like a polaroid!

Photograph Heart Collage

What You Need: Photographs, Adhesive (or Tape)

Create a simple heart collage by using old photos! Place photos in the outline of a heart; it’s pretty easy to do this just by looking at a reference photo! There are also specific templates online if you need further guidance.

P.S. You can do this on the corner of a wall to spice things up (like pictured above)!

My DIY Creations:

Sources:

1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8

• American University