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This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at Manhattan chapter.

By Casey Schellberg

I have been living on campus for four years and if there is one thing that I have learned, it is that room decor is everything in a dorm room. You can completely transform the bland, white walls and tan furniture into a cute and comfortable space really easily with the proper products. It took a while for me to find the perfect ones to transform my Jasper room into the perfect home-like feel. Here are some of my favorite products that I believe are must-haves to decorate your dorm room.

My first absolute must-have room decor item is an area rug. I have a simple nude-colored one that I picked up at The Christmas Tree Shop for $25 one year and I have had it since. It’s the perfect addition and helps break up the dark carpeting in my dorm. I also love laying on it after a stressful day, which my fellow floor people would appreciate as well.

This year, I finally found a saucer chair to add to my room decor. A few of my friends have them, but I was never able to find one in a store that I liked. It’s my go-to homework spot and adds an extra element of comfort to my room. I got my light gray sherpa one at Bed Bath & Beyond over the summer and I highly recommend it!

The hardest part of decorating a dorm, in my opinion, is covering the walls in a cute and not overbearing way. While I was a bit skeptical at first, I ordered a pack of fake ivy leaf garlands on Amazon and absolutely loved how it turned out. I hung them all around the perimeter of my room, especially in the corners where I have piping. It’s a simple addition, but makes a big difference from how my room looked last year!

My other favorite way to cover the walls is with a poster set. My favorite store for posters on Amazon is Haus and Hues. I have their highland cow set, one of my favorite animals, and it fits in perfectly with my boho theme. The posters cover a whole wall in my room, making for simple decorating. 

Lastly, to fill in smaller spots in my room, a must-have is small woven tapestries. I ordered a 2-pack of macrame woven tapestries from Amazon that I have on either side of my windows for a simple touch. I also have smaller embroidered tapestries that hang above my saucer chair. While they don’t take up a lot of space, they are the perfect touch.

Being away from home can be hard, especially when living in a box-like dorm. Adding products that bring a home-like and cozy feel to your dorm that help cover up the bland walls is the perfect remedy!

Casey Schellberg

Manhattan '23

Casey is a senior at Manhattan College majoring in Childhood Education with concentrations in math and psychology. In her spare time, she enjoys hanging out with friends, shopping, and exploring NYC. Casey is also a part of Manhattan’s cheerleading team and serves as an RA on campus. She is loving her home as a Jasper at MC and cannot wait to see what the upcoming years bring!