Between buying books and knowing where your classes are, preparing for college can be pretty stressful. For some people, the last thing they want to worry about is what they’ll need for their dorm room, let alone how to make sure it all looks good.

If picking out every throw pillow and piece of wall art for your new room seems overwhelming, OCM is here to help you out. Not everyone wants to personalize their rooms by selecting each accessory on their own, and that’s totally all right. We’re here to help get you started so you can worry less about styling your new room and spend more time hitting the books.

One way to make the dorm room decorating process easier is to buy items that fit within a common aesthetic or theme. Not sure what vibe you’re going for? That’s where we come in. Here are six of our favorite dorm room aesthetics you can copy or modify to your own taste. Between some of our own suggestions and your own creative mind, you’ll have a dorm room that looks great before you even have to worry about attending your first day of classes.

Blush and Plush

If you’re looking for a soft and soothing aesthetic, the Blush and Plush collection will be a great fit. The collections plus blankets and pillows will keep you warm and cozy when school leaves you stressed. 

A key element to the Blush and Plush collection is the Ashleigh Pink 7-Piece Full XL Bedding Set. Its light pink color is soft and soothing, but its unique texture will add some subtle personality to the room. This set also comes with a cute pink polka-dot-sheet set for an added statement as well as two machine washable pillows. With so many components, this bedding is a great start when it comes to recreating the Blush and Plush aesthetic in your own room.

‍Every dorm room looks better with lights and the Blush and Plush aesthetic is no exception. In fact, adding some warm white LED string lights around the headboard of your bed or on your walls will accentuate the Blush and Plush’s calm and soothing aesthetic. 

Now that you already have blush colored bedding, it’s time to incorporate some plush into the mix. Reading a book is pretty relaxing, but it can be even more comfortable with this Super Plush Sherpa Backrest. Not only is this backrest very functional, it’s also extremely cozy—a must have when you’re doing some serious studying. 

Add even more plush to your dorm room with this 5 x 7 area rug. This rug may look like it’s just for show, but you realize that it’s also extremely practical when you don’t have to step foot on an ice cold floor right after you get out of bed. Choose a gray rug if you’re looking for something that blends in smoothly with the Blush and Plush collection. If you’re looking for something different or want to add blues into the mix, go with the rug in a navy color.

No More Blue Mondays

Whether you’re in high school, college, or the workforce, everyone can agree that Mondays are the worst. Well, everyone who doesn’t have the No More Blue Mondays room aesthetic, that is. 

Start creating the No More Blue Mondays aesthetic with the Bella Blue 7-Piece Full XL Bedding Bundle. It has a blue ombre effect that will create a calming but mysterious vibe in your dorm room. Though one thing isn’t a mystery—with bedding that comes with a set of sheets and two machine washable pillows, this bedding has you well prepared to take on college.

The Barlena Stay Curious Framed Mini Art may not be blue, but it does add to the mystical aesthetic of No More Blue Mondays. Plus it will encourage you to pursue your studies through a curious lens, not an anxious one. 

The No More Blue Mondays collection gives off strong beach vibes and the Rhino Armored Storage Trunk in Natural Birch Finish is no exception to the rule. This trunk is practical and plain, but it’s also a beautiful piece of furniture that speaks for itself.

Further emphasizing the No More Blue Mondays strong beach vibes, the Bree Madden Wonder Acrylic Tray will organize and store all of your writing utensils and knick knacks, while reminding you of the ocean’s calming powers. 

Gray All Day

Some people aren’t into accent colors. Here at OCM, we think that’s okay.

To recreate the Gray All Day dorm room aesthetic, start with the Kyla Sherpa 7-Piece Full XL Bedding Bundle. You don’t need colorful bedding when it’s made out of cozy sherpa. In addition to a reversible comforter, this set also includes a set of sheets as well as two machine-washable pillows.

The Chelsea Victoria Inhale Exhale perfectly fits the Gray All Day’s minimalist and simple aesthetic--all while expressing a little personality too. Its neutral colors make it a great addition to the Kyla Sherpa 7-Piece Bedding Bundle, and its message to just breathe will be a helpful reminder during any stressful semester you may have.

The Knot Throw Pillow will blend in a must have if you’re trying to recreate the Gray All Day collection. It’s never ending design makes this pillow a unique accessory for your bed as well as a fun pillow you can toss around with your friends. 

Another inspirational and calming addition to your dorm room, the Karma Quote Wall will fit perfectly with the Gray All Day aesthetic. Its neutral colors in addition to its peaceful vibe is soothing to look at, just like a bed room decorated in all gray.

Colors are Overrated 

Another aesthetic that cleverly avoids colors, the Colors are Overrated collection is perfect for any rebel who likes challenging the mainstream. 

To recreate this dorm room aesthetic, start with the Wonderland 7-Piece Full XL Bedding Bundle.This bedding is perfect for anyone who likes the sleek look of a dorm room with only neutral colors but still wants to add a touch of their personality to the space. In addition to a reversible comforter, the set also includes a set of sheets as well as two machine washable pillows. 

What’s the best way to boycott colorful dorm rooms? With a Black Message Board Decal, of course. Most college students will have a whiteboard or corkboard in their room that they use for reminders and important tasks. Getting one a board that is black will not only make your dorm room stand out among the rest, it will also go great with your commitment to showing your friends that colors are overrated.

Choosing to decorate your dorm room without using bright colors doesn’t necessarily mean you have to go the minimalist route. In fact, there are plenty of ways that you can make the space stylish without relying on colors that make a bold statement. Getting the All Purpose 6x9 Carpet is not only a practical purchase, it will also give your dorm room some extra style.

Play the Blues

Create a lively dorm room by decking it out with vibrant blues.

If you love all shades of blue, then the Nantucket 7-Piece Bedding Bundle is meant for you. Its multicolored striped pattern is easy to match with decorations and accessories--so long as you choose something that’s blue. 

Fitting well with the classic aesthetic of the Play the Blues collection, this Hardwood Monthly Dry Erase Calendar Decal will create a rustic but eco-friendly vibe in your dorm room. Once you stick this decal on the wall, you can reuse it to mark down important dates month after month. And even better, it will never go out of style. 

The Rhino Armored Storage Trunk is an easy pick when it comes to figuring out how to store all of your dorm room essentials. The tricky part, however, is deciding on a color. When you want to play the blues, we suggest going with the trunk in a subtle but stunning navy so your trunk won’t steal the spotlight, but will definitely match with your room’s aesthetic.

Cloud Nine

Recreating the Cloud Nine aesthetic will make you feel like you’re living in a dream, even when you’re not sleeping!

Make your dorm room soothing but sophisticated with the Whitney White 7-Piece Full XL Bedding Bundle. It's simple pinch pleat pattern will add more style to your dorm room, even if you limit the use of color to a minimum. In addition to a reversible comforter, this bedding also comes with a set of sheets and two extra fluffy machine washable pillows.

Incorporating silvers and light grays into your dorm room is a great way to recreate the Cloud Nine aesthetic. Not only will it add to your room’s dream-like personality, it will also break up some of the other white patterns and decorations you choose to incorporate into your room. The Rhino Armored Trunk does just that--all while giving you the extra space you need to store whatever you may need for college.

If you’re going to have guests over in your dorm room, you’re going to want to offer them a place to sit. Not only will the Iveta Abolina Gray Dove Floor Pillow make your dorm room perfect for movie-nights and last-minute study sessions, its bird feather pattern perfectly with the Cloud Nine aesthetic.
Now that you have our cheat sheet for room decorating, all you have to do is figure out which aesthetic speaks to you the most.