10 Retro-Inspired Dorm Decor Finds That Pass the Designer Test

“Zara Home is a great destination for college dorm finds and chic pieces at a more accessible price point,” says Lindsey Herod of Lindsey Herod Interiors. This rechargeable lamp, which is available in seven different colors, is the perfect example.

“This one would be fun as a desk lamp for late-night studying when you don’t want to disturb your roomie,” says Herod of the design. It features three light settings.

Instant printed photos with the press of a button? Any college student would approve of this Fuji pick, which comes with film (you’ll get 40) and a handy carrying case. It’s available in classic white and four fun pastel colors: blue, pink, purple, and green.

“Instant cameras allow you to capture and live in the moment at the same time,” says Storms. “I love having these little pictures tacked up or stacked on your coffee table. You can’t help but smile as the picture develops or looking back remembering the time you had.”

Deck out a dorm room in this retro velvet chaise, complete with storage under the seat cushion. It’s a no-fail way to make a student “feel like the space belongs to them,” says designer Marie Cloud of Indigo Pruitt. And you can’t beat the price!

“A dorm room has to work twice as hard as any other room in the house, so a piece that gives you seating and hidden storage in one footprint is the smart move,” Cloud explains. “The curved arm and velvet keep it from feeling purely functional. It still reads like a real design choice, not just a place to hide your extra blankets.”

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Any dorm room can benefit from patterned bedding. The bolder, the better, is DeLapp’s philosophy when it comes to choosing the perfect vintage-inspired print.

“This groovy bedding replicates the distinct motifs and nostalgic textiles of the ‘60s and ‘70s. The orange pop is also a staple of midcentury design and sets the tone for the whole space,” DeLapp shares.

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We can’t talk about retro decor if some good ‘ol vinyls aren’t in the mix. A simple poster can get the job done, DeLapp says. “Record motifs are one of the easiest ways to add retro flair to your space,” she explains. This unframed pick comes in two sizes.

A Vornado fan is worth adding to your cart, too. According to DeLapp, it’s “a simple way to bring nostalgia to your decor.” This retro-looking model comes in four colors, including the sage green here, so they can find the right one for their dorm room’s color palette. Plus, it tilts and features two speeds.

The arched mirror trend shows no signs of slowing down. Help your student get in on the craze with this choice, which Cloud says will “never read as dated.”

“It softens a room full of hard right angles and gives you function and form in the same piece, which matters when your square footage is this tight,” she adds.

Dorm rooms can never have too much lighting if you ask Cloud. Go for a colorful table lamp, like this scalloped design, that can energize the space. “A scalloped shade in a saturated blue does more for a space’s mood than any poster ever will, and it’s a small object making a confident choice,” she says.