The dark-wood interiors of Japanese bars and restaurants informed this wine-bar-cum-office in Stockholm designed by local studio Note for Swedish digital technology consultancy Samsen. More
The owners of Danish design company Vipp have renovated a Tribeca loft that acts as a showroom for their brand and a pied-à-terre when they stay in New York City. More
A hotel interior informed by drag culture and the reimagining of an ocean pavilion that preserves an inter-war building are included in Dezeen’s latest school show from students at Sydney Design School.
Other projects include a converted warehouse that uses bioplastics, mycelium and waste materials across its surfaces, as well as a hospitality space that has a zero food waste philosophy.
School: Sydney Design School and Interior Design OnlineCourses: Diploma of Interior Design and Advanced Diploma of Interior DesignFounder: Amanda Grace
School statement:
“Sydney Design School is an award-winning interior design school focused on community, professional mentoring and innovation. From day one, you’re treated like a member of a real design studio – learning your craft from practising interior designers and architects.
“We’re passionate about providing industry-relevant education and a personal experience. Our philosophy centres on the fundamental principles of design and conceptual exploration.
“Our graduates are sought after by the industry as creative thinkers and planners with exceptional presentation skills. Our online school, Interior Design Online, offers our accredited courses entirely online, with creatives studying in over 30 countries.”
Cornersmith, Hospitality design by Ainhoa Beascoechea Arambarri
“The site was a warehouse in Sydney’s vibrant Marrickville. I noticed that the beauty of the building was hiding behind its facade. I decided to be playful with the architecture, cutting sections in the roof, imagining how the light would play, creating interest.
“It was important in my zero waste concept that the finishes and furniture selections were either sustainable, vintage or made from recycled materials. I used cork flooring that simulates concrete, a marble-like material made from sunflower waste, bio textiles made from mycelium for upholstery, a translucent bioplastic made from walnut flour, repurposed steel and Kenoteq bricks made from construction waste.”
Student: Ainhoa Beascoechea ArambarriCourse: Diploma of Interior Design
The Bower, Design specialisation by Jenna Ritchie
“The Bower project was fascinating as the architecture by Koichi Takada reflected my passion for concept development influenced by natural forms.
“I developed a concept inspired by the raw beauty of the sun rising over the ocean and was delighted to discover later that it was very similar to the architect’s original idea. I expressed this concept by layering highly textured materials to create a luxurious interior.”
Student: Ainhoa Beascoechea ArambarriCourse: Advanced Diploma of Interior Design
Cornersmith, Hospitality design by Ryan McGregor
“Taking on the client’s ethos and food philosophy of ‘zero waste’, I focused on the concept of preservation. The expansive site allowed initial offsetting from the original facade, thus creating an internal courtyard providing a moment of rest from the industrial street frontage.”
“The vibrant courtyard would also play towards lowering energy consumption as natural light filters through the new facade, reducing the need for artificial lighting consumption. Retaining the existing building aligned itself to the client’s company values and plays an important role from a sustainability angle while creating a place within the community that allows people to connect.”
Student: Ryan McGregorCourse: Advanced Diploma of Interior Design
3rd Base, Design specialisation by Vieri Landini
“My concept is intended to provoke a conversation about climate change. Every aspect has been designed to represent the elements required to generate fire: oxygen, fuel and heat. I believe sustainability should be a key element of interior design and our world as a whole. Both the design and the materials bring into focus the environmental issues we face, challenging human passivity.
“I am a practising artist, and this is the base from which all my creativity stems. Our connection to art goes beyond face value. Its purpose is to stimulate thought, allowing viewers to connect with their emotions and pull from personal experiences.”
Student: Vieri LandiniCourse: Advanced Diploma of Interior Design
Destination Utopia, Workplace design by Louise Mackay
“Noun: an imagined place or state of things in which everything is perfect. You are invited to dive into a utopian world illustrated by a futuristic, tech-glam aesthetic. Exploring the concepts of wanderlust and futurism, this is a vision of paradise for Hotels.com – a utopian destination.”
“Escape the everyday life through surreal beauty, fluid forms, tactile furniture and flowing drapes. Lights emit a soft luminosity and feel, illuminating spaces with an even glow to create calm while encouraging curiosity. The layering of tinted glass, matte surfaces, opaque elements and ethereal tints reveal unexpected effects and structures.”
Student: Louise MackayCourse: Advanced Diploma of Interior Design
Wild, Hospitality design by Nic Kelly
“My task was to design a restaurant, workshop and office space for a chef renowned for cooking with minimal resources in the bush. The Australian landscape heavily influenced my conceptual journey. I elevated all the sensory touch points of cooking outdoors by turning this restaurant into a fine dining experience.
“I love the emotive response linked to moments shared around a campfire. I translated this into the physical space by wrapping bar seating around a large open fire. Guests interact with the chef who educates them on locally sourced produce.”
Student: Nic KellyCourse: Diploma of Interior Design
SiR Queen, Hotel design by Louise Mackay, Celine Layoun and Tianna Andrews
“A vibrant, playfully creative design based on our concept of Alter Ego: One Hotel. Two Personalities. The new persona for the Woolloomooloo site will be reflective of the vibrant spirit of the city – inspired by the LGBTQI+ community, Priscilla Queen of the Desert and the playfully creative vibe of drag culture.
“On arrival at SiR Queen, guests will enter an unassuming building to come across a flurry of colour, glamour and stunning finishes to inspire their alter ego journey. A sophisticated mix of high chroma and neutral tones creates a playful mood.”
Student: Louise Mackay, Celine Layoun and Tianna AndrewsCourse: Advanced Diploma of Interior Design
Cornersmith, Hospitality design by Anežka Kočnerová
“The brief was to convert a two-storey warehouse in Marrickville into a sustainable and zero-waste restaurant focusing on locally sourced food. My approach was to create an exciting dining experience by showing customers how the world would look many years after all human beings are gone.
“Pictures of abandoned places overrun by nature inspired me to create a venue where the present meets the future – a place where nature takes back!”
Student: Anežka KočnerováCourse: Diploma of Interior Design
Ocean Baths, Design specialisation Pavilion by Chelsea Ernst
“Chelsea took on the task of reimagining and ‘rebirthing’ Newcastle’s iconic Ocean Baths Pavilion for her final self-led project. Respecting the history and tradition of this national landmark was critical. She retained the aesthetic of the inter-war facade while improving public amenity spaces, providing shade and increasing disability access points.”
“The large scale project includes newly designed public change rooms, a cafe, restaurant, bar and kiosk with views of the beach, a function centre, spa, gym and additional unique spaces for community gatherings. Chelsea selected subtle textures and materials that are long-lasting and sustainable, responding to the surrounding marine and land environments.”
Student: Chelsea ErnstCourse: Advanced Diploma of Interior Design
The Bower, Design specialisation by Carolina Ghigonetto
“The Bower is inspired by the undulating movement of waves and takes advantage of its coastal position featuring a casual, beachy and sophisticated look. The concept of ‘flow’ is expressed throughout the space via harmonious curves and a sinuous parametric timber wall located in the centre of the cafe. It separates the takeaway area from the dining area without blocking the million-dollar view.
“Pastel colours, exposed concrete and Moroccan tiles combined with raw finishes are chosen to create a cosy and relaxed atmosphere. The Bower provides both an intimate escape and memorable experience for visitors.”
Student: Carolina GhigonettoCourse: Diploma of Interior Design (online)
Partnership content
This school show is a partnership between Dezeen and the Sydney Design School. Find out more about Dezeen partnership content here.
Read more: More
In our latest lookbook, we have selected a collection of mezzanines from the Dezeen archive that create more useable space at home and make use of tall ceilings. More
Reclaimed materials found during demolition work have been preserved and used as decoration in this Montreal wine bar called Stem that’s designed and co-owned by Ravi Handa Architect.
Named Stem, the wine bar was completed earlier in 2020 near September, a cafe and surfboard workshop designed by the same architect in Montreal’s Little Burgundy neighbourhood.
A piece of vintage wallpaper now hangs by the bar’s entranceUpon learning that a vacant space near September cafe would be taken up by a big-box pizza chain, the architect teamed up with some partners to lease the space themselves.
“There was an uproar in the community and we [September] along with other local businesses on the block didn’t want a multinational chain as a neighbour,” Handa told Dezeen.
“There was a great deal of pressure to create something soulful and anchored to place since we had convinced our landlords to break with a brand that we felt was perhaps void of soul and rather generic,” he added.
Materials found on-site during demolition have been turned into artworksHanda envisioned an establishment that would draw cues from the cafe, offering a casual place for neighbours to gather in a nighttime setting.
“As a partner, and because the business is physically linked to an already successful business, I was more emotionally invested in the design process than usual,” he said.
“While the spirit of the cafe is reflected in the wine bar’s fine lines and warm palette, the new space has an identity of its own, using the stem as a source of inspiration.”
Slim slats of wood, intended to represent wine glass stems, are a recurring motif in the interiors.
A privacy screen separates the tasting room from the back-of-houseDuring the demolition of the existing space, several finishes and pieces of various materials were found and repurposed as artworks for the finished space.
“Scraps of wood and metal were collected in collaboration with artist and friend Jeremy Le Chatelier, who incorporated them into works of art,” the architect said.
Montreal wine bar Vinvinvin by Ménard Dworkind takes cues from bottle labels
The long, narrow space features some walls painted in a dark green colour that was chosen based on a piece of vintage, hand-painted wallpaper that was found on site.
Elsewhere, the existing brick demising walls are exposed in a nod to the area’s industrial past.
Thin strips of wood that line the space are meant to look like the stem of a wine glassThin wooden slats cover the bar itself, a motif that is also found in a privacy screen that separates the back-of-house spaces from the tasting room.
“[The screen] conceals the washroom and dishwashing area, without alienating workers from the lively energy in the bar,” said architect.
New finishes contrast the existing walls in the bathroomIn the restroom, a concrete wall was left in its original condition, contrasting the new tiles and fixtures that were installed during the renovation.
In an effort to support local brands and designers, the architect sourced furniture and lighting from within the city’s tight-knit design community. The lights are by a Luminaire Authentik and the furniture was designed by Atelier Appareil, the furniture arm of Appareil Architecture.
Other projects in Montreal include a newly opened coworking space by Ivy Studio and a retro coffee bar downtown by Ménard Dworkind.
The photography is by Olivier Blouin.
Read more: More
Interiors that are (almost) completely white can have a calming, minimalist feel. For our latest lookbook we have collected ten examples from the Dezeen archive, ranging from an Australian penthouse to a Japanese-informed apartment in Barcelona. More
New York studio Space4Architecture has brought natural light into a townhouse in Brooklyn’s Carroll Gardens neighbourhood by adding a staircase topped with a skylight. More
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It is that time of year again… back to school and college. Here are the best – tried and true ideas to decorate a dorm on a budget along with ways to keep the small space organized with these creative dorm room decorating ideas.
Post Updated: 7/13/2021
Over the past 7 years I have helped my two daughters move in and decorate 8 dorm rooms and college campus apartments.
In this post I am going to share the dorm room essentials, quick and creative dorm room decorating ideas, tips and tricks that I know work and won’t break the budget when it comes to getting a dorm room or college apartment set up. All of these ideas make the grade!
So get ready to move the furniture around to create the best use of space so that everything you bring to decorate your dorm will do double-duty – EVERYTHING! Organization and smart accessible storage is key to making the room both attractive and livable.
Creative Dorm Room Decorating Ideas
How can you decorate a doom room cheaply? With creativity and planning before you even arrive on campus.
A few months before college starts, most students get excited and think about the color and style of the bedding, lamps and cute organizers they will need for their dorm room, but the number one thing you need to have with you on move- in day are a few tools!
Having a tool box filled with basic tools will make everything you do on moving day much easier. Trust me! If you bring one, you will be the most popular person in the dorm as everyone will want to borrow your screwdriver, hammer or glue gun.
On move-in day a toolbox gets packed in the car last so that everything from a screwdriver to fabric glue is ready to whip the room into shape as it gets placed in the room or at least done on move-in day. You will find the contents of my toolbox in this post:
Pick the Bedding First
When decorating a dorm room, the first decorative element you need is to pick the bedding. The bed is so important – it serves as a sofa for friends to sit on and a place to relax, do school work, eat, and sleep.
Look for a comforter that you can put a colorful duvet on that will hide stains and will be easy to wash when needed. The room’s color scheme or half the room’s color scheme can be based off the color of the comforter/bedspread.
Get Creative With Fabric
When decorating a dorm room on a budget, there are many inexpensive fabric options to choose from.
Fabric added to the room in the way of window treatments, chair covers, wall hangings, and art will add a lot of style and color to the room.
If you want to add some color to the plain walls, buy some fabric yardage and hang it on the wall using the Command Brand mounting strips across the top of the fabric and along the ceiling line. Two or three of the strips is all that will be needed. Let the fabric hang freely. It will look like wallpaper.
How to Hang Art on Top of Hung On the Wall Fabric: Use Command Brand mounting hooks on the wall under the fabric. Once hook is placed, cut a small slice in the fabric where the hook is so that the hook can fit through the slit. Hang your photos or art on the exposed hook.
Other Fabric Options to Consider:
Colorful Sheets: Head to the thrift store or stores like HomeGoods and TJMaxx to find colorful or patterned sheets that can be used t cover a window or an open closet.
Use Command Brand Hooks To Style Window Treatments:
Most of the Command Brand hooks are pretty self explanatory, but the utensil hooks – have a moveable hook and are perfect for tying drapery panels to the wall with twist ties. I did this in my daughter’s apartment bedroom one year. I used colorful ribbons to hide the twist ties.
Everything on the wall was hung using the Command Strips.
Loft the Beds
Photo: Dorm to Die For
Lofting the bed gives the room double the space. I found this photo over at Dorm to Die For. At the college my oldest attended, all the beds were loft-able.
Create a Clothes Closet Under a Lofted Bed
To make the space under a lofted bed into a place to hang clothes, attach a tension rod along the front side of the bed to hang a curtain on a tension rod.
Use “U” clamps to attach a closet rod or curtain rod to the underside of the box spring. When the curtain is closed, clothes will be out of sight.
You can also use the space under a lofted bed for a desk and or chest of drawers.
Make a Lofted Bed Organizer
Hang a flat handled basket on the bed in a color to coordinate with the room.
Tie it to the bed rail along the top of a lofted bed for easy access to a phone and charger, book, tissues, etc. This way you won’t have to jump down from the bed.
Create Extra Seating
Space is at a premium in a dorm room so it is nice to have a few extra seating options for when friends are hanging out with you.
These storage and seat-in-one ottomans made from milk cartons serves double-duty.
Create a Bedside Table
Make lids for square baskets. It is easy to do with cardboard from boxes and fabric.
Stack the baskets on top of each other to create an easy to reach storage spot as well as create a little bedside table
Decorating a Dorm Room Essentials to Pack
Buy these dorm room essentials ahead of time so you won’t have to run to Walmart 5 times on move-in day. You can find most of the items needed in this list at Ross, TJ Maxx, Marshalls, Bed Bath and Beyond, IKEA, Target, and Walmart.
1. Command Brand Strips Hooks & Hangers
The biggest innovation in dorm room or rental decorating since I went to college is 3M Command Strips – Hello! Wonderful. They are amazing and can be used for so many things. Spray a little bit of rubbing alcohol on the walls, doors, sides of a desk, bed frames, chairs – you name it and you can hang just about anything easily.
When it is time to move out – they are a cinch to remove and leave no damage. 3M even has replacement tapes and tabs so you can use the hooks and hangers again the following year.
2. Clip-On Light, Floor Lamp & Backrest Pillow
My oldest didn’t understand why she needed these when she was a freshman. It didn’t take her a long time to figure out why – comfort and task lighting while studying on the bed.
If lofting a bed, the clip-on light can easily be clipped onto the bed frame or even mounted on the wall with Command Brand strips.
This style floor lamp with adjustable arms works well in a dorm. Each light can be directed where needed – on the ceiling for ambient lighting, on the bed for task lighting = double duty.
3. Power Strips & Extension Cords
There are never enough outlets in a dorm room for all the electronics you use. One or tow power strips and long extension cords are needed. Throw in a few 3-prong adapters, too.
4. Over-the-Door Hangers & Organizers
These types of hangers are perfect for hanging not only over doors, but they work over the bed rails as well.
Use two or more so you will have plenty of storage. They are great for bath towels, handbags, coats, and hats.
Hanging TIP: If you place an over-the-door hanger over a door and the door doesn’t close – get a pair of pliers and bend the top section that goes over the door to mold it to fit – works every time.
5. Closet Organizers
Some rooms have nice closets, others have only an armoire. Making use of a variety of closet organizers will increase the storage.
Closet Organizer DIY: Use shower curtain rings on a hanger to hold scarves or belts.
6. Stackable Storage
Stack, stack, and stack some more. Easy accessible stackable storage is the best way to hold stuff – from books, toiletries, food, etc.
IKEA makes small shelf units and these may work well in one room, but not the next year in a different room.
I have found that classic milk crates are the best. The reason – versatility. They can be stacked and used in many different ways. One year they may be used in a closet, the next – across the shelf on the desk or dresser to hold food and/or dishes.
Stacking Organizing Idea: Cut a square from dollar store foam boards to fit inside milk crates. This gives the crate bottom a level surface to place items on so they won’t fall through.
7. Tension Rods & Cafe Clips
Tension rods and cafe clips can be used on windows, under lofted beds, and in closets.
Photos: BH&G and Martha Stewart
As long as the window is inset you will be able to create easy no-sew treatments using a tension rod and café clips.
Photo Above: On the left are two scarves that are folded over along the top edge of the scarf and simply clipped on.
On the right, use fabric glue to make finished edges on fabric that is cut to fit the size of the window, then clip on the rings and hang.
Don’t forget that shower rod tension rods found in the bath department are much wider in diameter and when two are placed about a foot parallel to each other a pine or mdf board can be placed on them to create a knock down portable shelf for a closet.
8. Bed Risers
If the bed doesn’t loft, then use bed risers. Buy the extra tall ones so that you can get as much extra space as possible. They even come with electrical sockets now – smart as there are never enough outlets.
9. Rolling Storage & Bins
This style of rolling cart with drawers can hold extra toiletries, school supplies, and/or clothes. They move around the room easily when needed which is a big plus.
Use the rolling drawers as an end table to hold a clock, phone or lamp.
10. An Area Rug
Check stores like Target, Walmart and HomeGoods for an affordable area rug. A 5 x 7 usually will fit. It will make the room feel cozier and decorated.
If you have gotten to the end of this post, then you now have a few more creative ideas on how to decorate a dorm room on the cheap, but these ideas are really only a starting off point.
Once you get on campus you will see just how creative and resourceful students can get when it comes to making a dorm feel like home sweet home.
More Budget Decor Ideas for Dorm Rooms:
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