One of the easiest and simplest ways to decorate your dorm room is with a tapestry. This is because they are large, take up a significant amount of wall space and make a bold, but beautiful statement. All you really have to do is pick out a tapestry you like and hang it up -- they are very popular on college campuses! So, if you’re looking for a quick fix to cover your wall space or the perfect backdrop for your going-out selfies, you’ll definitely want to consider buying a tapestry. 

In the list we have created, we will be focusing on mandala tapestries (mandala - Sanskrit for circle). They are the most prevalent kind of tapestry and have their roots in Asian religions -- Hinduism and Buddhism. The mandala is a circle with geometric and floral patterns inside. This is to represent the universe and can be used as a guide during meditation. A practitioner would envision starting on the outside of the mandala and navigating their way to the center throughout their meditation. Entering the mandala and finding a way towards the center is viewed as being guided towards the cosmic center and away from human desire and suffering. Because once desire is eliminated, so is suffering and the practitioner will have reached enlightenment. 

So with that, let’s take a look at the tapestries below and hopefully reveal the one that’s going to be the perfect staple for your college decor over the next four years. 

Loni Wall Tapestry

Once you move into college, you’ll have a new appreciation for wall decor. A college dorm on move-in-day is empty wall to wall white space -- not an appealing sight. A tapestry is a quick and meaningful way to get rid of the blankness inside your dorm room. 

The beautiful thing about this tapestry is the simple, yet intricate design. The idea of the floral pattern beginning large and becoming smaller towards a center speaks to the significance of the mandala. The subtle blue and teal on a white and black background will perfectly accent your dorm room wall. An added bonus -- this piece was made in India along with the rest of the tapestries that will be featured! 

Myra Wall Tapestry 

The beauty of this tapestry comes from the exquisite design. It is delicately intricate and speaks to Mehndi -- a form of body art that originated in ancient Indian. Artists create decorative designs on the body similar to the design shown in this tapestry. 

The design brings forth the idea of movement and creates energy within the tapestry itself. This piece will bring a positive, safe space to your dorm room. You may even choose to take it a step further by educating yourself on the religions and cultures associated with the tapestry -- or pick up meditation! 

Meher Wall Tapestry 

Traditionally, an Indian mandala would feature a deity at the center -- however, in this case the center may represent the center of the universe -- your universe! Or it may just be something you choose because you find it aesthetically pleasing. No matter your reasoning for choosing a tapestry, the beauty of this one does not disappoint. 

Each layer of the mandala features a different design shown in different colors -- eggplant, teal, green, burnt orange and magenta all come together to create one stunning medallion. This is a bold statement piece that will always have something new to look at that you didn’t see before!

Anika Wall Tapestry 

If I’m being honest, throughout my college career I purchased three tapestries and hung them all in my room each year. I would probably buy each one of these tapestries and hang them up if I could! So, if you’re anything like me -- these are a go-to decor item. A tapestry doesn’t have to hang on a wall either. Place it on your ceiling so you can lay in bed every day and admire it, use it on a window similar to a curtain, as a furniture cover, or a headboard for your bed -- the options are endless, so get creative with it! 

In this tapestry, the floral and geometric patterns come together to form a larger medallion. It’s also framed by a black border so it’s sure to pop on your wall -- almost like a 3D effect! The blue, purple, and teal tones form a beautiful color scheme and look great together. It would also be easy to pair other decor items with this tapestry. The black border and white background make every neutral color go with this tapestry!

Kashvi Wall Tapestry 

‍This tapestry was made for two people -- the animal lover and the person who wants a neutral tapestry that doesn’t have a color scheme you’ll need to work around. For the animal lover -- this mandala design features elephants. It’s also a nod towards Ganesha -- a Hindu deity with the head of an elephant and body of a man. He is known to be the remover of obstacles, patron of the arts and sciences and the deity of intellect and wisdom. This represents many positive attributes that align with the goals of college students -- so this is a perfect way to represent who you are and what you believe in! 

But not only is this tapestry great for it’s nod to ancient culture, but also for its beautiful white and black color scheme. The intricate black floral and geometric design on a white background make it a piece that will effortlessly pair well with all of your other decor items. Snagging this tapestry is a no-brainer!

Nisha Wall Tapestry 

This tapestry is different from all the rest because it incorporates astrology and is perfect for those who are interested in the zodiac signs. Astrology is a pseudoscience that connects with the divine and attempts to explain things relative to the positioning of celestial objects. That is why each sign of the zodiac corresponds to different dates and the constellations that appear during those times. 

In this tapestry, the horoscope chart has taken the place of the mandala. The star background and moon border also relate to horoscopes because events such as a person’s birthday and their corresponding zodiac sign will be determined by the position of the sun, moon and planets. So, tapestries are not only aesthetically pleasing, decorative pieces, but they are also a means of educating yourself on different topics. That is what truly makes them so beautiful!

Additional Tapestry Ideas

Spread a Dose of Positivity With These Smaller Tapestries 

This tapestry is significantly smaller than the others that have been featured so far. This would be a great dorm room addition for someone looking for a smaller sized piece -- or if the larger tapestries just don’t scream you! This piece spreads positivity and lets you celebrate beauty -- your beauty! Sometimes we just need to hear things like “Hello Beauty-ful” to start our day on the right foot -- or when we’re feeling down and need a pick-me-up. This is also a great find for someone on a college friendly budget!

This small tapestry features the saying “Positive Vibes” against a set of palm trees to invoke a cool, calm and free-spirited vibe in your dorm room. What better way to promote positivity than to label your room as a space for positive vibes only. This is a great piece for college students especially because staying positive on a college campus all year long is crucial to having success in class and staying mentally healthy. As with the last tapestry, this one is a budget friendly piece that will hang freely on your wall! 

If you were unsure of what to decorate your dorm room with, I’m sure a tapestry will now have its own place on your wall this semester. Tapestries are a meaningful and beautiful way to effortlessly cover your wall space. They represent a great way to learn about other religions and cultures of the world and will maybe even inspire you to start yoga or meditation -- doing yoga against one of these tapestries will bring your focus to the next level! The meaning behind the mandala is one that will continue for years and generations to come! 

You can also purchase one of these tapestries for their beauty alone! Within the medallion, there is always a new intricate design or pattern that you didn’t see before. That is why tapestries are known for their bold, eye catching qualities. A tapestry on your wall will be no different -- it will be a statement piece that all of your friends will be complimenting and one that you can enjoy for the next four years, if not your whole life!