How To Decorate A College Dorm Room On A Budget?

Erin M • July 2, 2019

Check Out These Money Saving Tips

money saving cost friendly furnishing option

There is no denying that college and university costs are on the rise. When calculating the cost of college, it makes sense to include the cost of tuition, books, fees, meals, transportation and room and board. But what you might not consider is the cost of furnishing your college dorm room. If you don’t have a lot of money left to spend on bedding and furniture, check out a few ways to decorate your dorm room on a budget.

Split Costs With Your Roommate

If you can’t spend extra money on dorm furnishings, one of the most obvious solutions is to get your roommate to chip in and buy some of the items on your list. You can figure out who will buy the mini fridge, the microwave and the cleaning supplies, for example. Just keep in mind that at the end of year, your roommate will probably take what belongs to them. So, you might have to make additional purchases later on or find another roommate to split costs with next year.

Tap Into Your Creative Side

If you’re comfortable taking on DIY projects, there are plenty of inexpensive ones that can make your dorm room seem more visually appealing. You can decorate your walls with removable wallpaper or washi tape. If you’re feeling particularly crafty, you can hang old pictures on a clothesline made from pushpins, clothespins and twine.

Go Thrifting

A thrift store can be a great place to search for a chair, picture frames or artwork for your dorm room. Or you could make time to stop by a neighborhood garage sale. Either way, you’re bound to come across some interesting pieces. They probably won’t cost as much as brand new furniture and they can add some character to what might otherwise be a dull and cookie-cutter dorm room.

Buy Versatile Furniture Pieces

If you’re on a budget, you can buy furniture that you can use for multiple purposes, like an affordable futon from The Futon Shop that can be used as both a couch and a bed. Also, if you need more shelf space, you can find lamps with tiered shelves surrounding the lamp stands. If side tables are out of your price range, you can buy a cheap wastebasket, flip it and use that as a table. Bean bag chairs are also great choice for affordable seating and are available at The Futon Shop in a variety of sizes and colours, starting at just $149.00.

Shop Your Own Closet

Before you leave home, it’s a good idea to look around and see if there’s anything that you can bring with you. Why waste money on new lamps if you can take the ones you already have in your house? Even if you want your room to have a particular theme, you can take some existing pieces and add cheap new accessories to tie everything together.

For many college students, their dorm rooms simultaneously serve as their bedrooms, kitchens and living rooms. If you want to create the perfect home away from home without going into debt, it’s a good idea to consider the tips we’ve highlighted.

From helping you find the perfect futon to a comfortable and versatile bean bag chair to complement your college bound child’s dorm room, we’re proud to be Hamilton’s largest and best selection of Canadian-made futon furniture, covers, bean bag chairs, and so much more! At the Futon Shop we look forward to updating you monthly on great new decorating ideas, DIYs, and more.

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Beige futon with colorful pillows and a plaid blanket; coffee table with tray and cups.

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