If you love the look of a clean functioning space with just a few useful (and stylish) pieces, then chances are you’re a minimalist! Just because you can live without all the clutter doesn’t mean you don’t want your dorm room to be a special place where you can express your personality. It’s actually the opposite! There is something very calming about having a few items that are very functional, but also bring a smile to your face--especially when it comes to bedding and decor. 

If you’re looking to create a minimalist space for your dorm room, or perhaps you just want to know a little more about minimalism, keep reading because we’re going to delve into:

• What exactly is minimalism?
• The bedding bundle and decor every minimalist needs
• Helpful tips for living the minimalist lifestyle

What is Minimalism?

Is minimalism something that you’ve always wanted to try?

At the heart of minimalism is the desire to live simply, and only have items in your home or dorm that serve a purpose in your life. The choice to live more simply can seem a little daunting at first, especially when you take into account all the pressure we experience to have the latest and greatest products. But, with a little effort, it can be done! Many people who have followed this path found that it truly changed their mindset, and had them thinking in more thoughtful and sustainable ways. 

No one likes to live or work in a cluttered space. When this happens we tend to get overwhelmed and stressed--and that’s no way to live! Minimalists seek to intentionally live with fewer items, creating less clutter and less distraction. Not to mention, less time spent cleaning and organizing. Sounds pretty nice, right? Keep in mind that minimalism is not a one and done event, it is a process, and sticking to it takes dedication to living the simple life. 

If the minimalist lifestyle sounds like something that interests you--whether it’s the idea of a decluttered living area or saving money on unnecessary purchases--then have we got some must-have dorm room styles for you!

The Bedding Bundle and Decor Every Minimalist Needs

Meet your minimalist goals with this bedding bundle and a few must-have decor items

So you may be asking yourself, how can your dorm room reflect your minimalist style? Or at the very least, how can you include some items that can give off a minimalist vibe, while also sticking to your budget and keeping things simple. The most important part of any dorm room is your bed. It should be a comfortable, relaxing place that allows you to get as much restful sleep as you can. Because, as you may know, a good sleep schedule is incredibly important to college students. Without one, how can you expect to ace your exams, keep up with your activities, and still have time for fun? This is why the bedding you choose is crucial, it can make or break how well you’re sleeping at night. Dorm beds aren’t designed to be luxurious, which is where OCM’s Dawn Minimalist Bedding Bundle comes in.  

This bundle is available in 10 different color schemes, so you’re sure to find one that speaks to your style. It also includes: 

• 1 TXL Comforter
• 1 Fitted Microfiber Sheet
• 1 Microfiber Pillow Case
• 1 Pillow
• 1 XL Mattress Pad
• 1 TXL Microplush Blanket
  

You might have noticed that this minimalist bundle only includes the fitted sheet. When you’re living the minimalist lifestyle, who needs an extra top sheet when you have an amazingly plush comforter? You can also add on a mattress topper (either memory foam or gel foam) for a little extra. These sets are simple, but functional, making them the perfect addition to your minimalist dorm room. 

Another must-have item for any dorm room are accent pillows, like the June Journal Minimalist Botanical Throw Pillow. You can choose to put these on your bed to give it extra comfort and texture, or put them on your favorite chair, futon, or couch. Keeping the design to a minimum and the colors neutral, you can put this pillow just about anywhere. In true minimalist style, it can be used behind you as you study in bed, you can use it as a cushion on your desk chair, or curl it tight the next time you watch a scary movie. Functional as it is stylish, you’ll love this fluffy addition to your dorm, whether you choose the small, medium, large, or extra large size

When you’re in a small dorm and living with a roommate (or roommates), space is definitely at a premium. That being said, you still want something that can hold your essentials--whatever they happen to be! Need a spot to put your alarm clock, reading light, book, or other nighttime need? The Allyson Johnson Honeycomb Round Side Table is right up your alley. Or perhaps you’re looking for something that can hold your books, school supplies, keys, or other items you need just before you dash out the door. You can’t go wrong with this efficient little side piece. The steel legs of this table are sturdy, and sure to fit right in with your minimalist decor.

Speaking of space savers, if you’re in a dorm room and short on space, you can’t go wrong with an item that serves two purposes. Not only is the Rhino Armored Cube Storage Trunk a great place to store an extra blanket, or your winter boots, it conveniently serves as an additional table top, foot rest, or seat! Talk about getting a bang for your buck and staying true to your minimalist lifestyle. The neutral color goes with just about any kind of minimalist color scheme, and it’s durable enough to stand up to any movie nights, last minute get-togethers, or when you just need a little extra desk space. 

No minimalist college dorm room would be complete without a way to make sure you’re staying organized.  Afterall, you’ve got to make sure you’re on top of assignment due dates and when exams are, so you can plan your study time accordingly. While a lot of us rely on our phones to keep our calendars, there’s just something inherently easier about using a reusable calendar like the Vogue Rose Dry Erase Monthly Calendar. And what better way to contribute to your overall minimalist style than with the lovely neutral color and the fact you can reuse it multiple times? No single use calendars here. 

Tips for Living the Minimalist Lifestyle

Want to start living the minimalist lifestyle? Start by following these tips!

When starting out on the minimalist path, remember, you’re doing this because you want to, and you get to decide how minimalist you want your living situation to be. You can decide to go bare bones, or you can declutter your space one step at a time. Since minimalism is more than just decluttering, we’ve included these tips to get you started on your journey! 

Decide on your own minimalist goal

As we mentioned, everyone has their own personal minimalist goal, and there’s no right or wrong way to do it. If you want to start living more simply, see if there are items that are getting in your way of doing so, such as too much tech or an overwhelming amount of shoes. Want to start saving money and spending less on unnecessary items? Write it down and see what little steps you take to do so. Whether that means less shopping or fewer lattes, it makes a difference. Find what your personal happiness goal is and ways you can achieve it!

Declutter your space

While it’s not the only part of being a minimalist, it is a large part. We accumulate a lot of stuff, even when living in a small dorm room! Think of all the items you have that you either don’t use, or use infrequently. Do you really need them? Are they making your life happier or better? If you’re answering no to these questions, it might be time to say goodbye. One of the best ways to declutter is to create piles: throw out, donate, or keep. This lets you actually see how much stuff you do have, and how much you actually don’t need. 

See what it’s like to live with less

One small way to bring a little more simplicity to your lifestyle is to start cutting out small purchases or amenities. Instead of spending money to see a movie, invite a friend over for a movie night where you can actually talk and enjoy yourselves! It’s not that you can never see a movie again, it’s just that you’re choosing to spend time with a friend, instead of extra money at a theater. Another good way to start living with less in a small way is to limit your coffee shop or restaurant visits, instead go once a month instead of a few times per week. You may be surprised how much more you enjoy eating out less often!

Remember, do you really need something?

Living a minimalist lifestyle is a process, and you’ll continually need to hold yourself accountable. For each purchase, ask yourself if you really need it, and decide whether or not it will enhance your life. Slowly you may find yourself needing and wanting less, and feeling good about it!

Reuse items!

Being a minimalist also means you find other uses for what you already have. The items in your space should be functional, and it’s a bonus when you can find multiple uses for them. Whether it’s a footrest that doubles as storage, or mason jars that turn into decor, use your creativity to find ways to reuse items (and cut down on waste!)

There are all kinds of things you can do to make your dorm space appealing and cozy, but with minimal items. Choosing to live with less doesn’t mean you can’t also do it with style!

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