Courtney Balestier

College is a style journey as much as a scholastic one: a chance for students to express their aesthetics and create a home for themselves (even if that home comes with an RA). With the right mix of chic decor, cozy details, and practical essentials, that empty dorm room can feel elevated and lived-in by the first day of classes.Walmart is the perfect place to decorate a design-minded college bedroom that’s fabulous, functional, and affordable.

There are small spaces, and then there are dorm rooms. Even if your college digs might seem about as spacious as an economy plane seat, some smart styling can make the most of your square footage — and express your aesthetic.When it comes to multitasking furniture for small spaces, IKEA is the reigning champ. The Swedish superstore has chic furniture and stylish essentials that can make every precious inch of your dorm work harder. Even the decor has space-saving tricks up its sleeve!

Empty dorm rooms aren’t really known for their style. Cinderblock walls? Yes. Cozy charm? Not so much. But that generic space is actually a blank canvas for your personal style! And it doesn’t take much effort — or money — to make it feel like home. Whether you’re moving into a dorm or an off-campus apartment, a few additions can up the coziness factor and transform it into a space that’s uniquely yours.

If you have a small closet — aka a dorm room closet — you know that keeping all your clothes, shoes, and accessories organized is a constant challenge. Add in a few hurried mornings and some quick outfit changes between class and dinner with friends, and your closet can feel like an obstacle course of yoga leggings and going-out tops.

When the semester is in full swing, your schedule is nonstop. But even on the days you barely have a minute to pop by your dorm room, it’s important that your space helps you feel ready for anything.Peyton Koch, a student at Central College, wanted to add a bit of decor that would also help keep her organized.

College is a time of intensive learning, and we’re not just talking about the classroom. These four years are also about learning how to live on your own — which might mean figuring out for the first time how to do laundry or keep surfaces clear of clutter. (Turns out there wasn’t a tiny elf who did that in the middle of the night.)In this new phase of adulting, a little help goes a long way: like college essentials from IKEA.

Whether you live in the dorms or off campus, your college space should feel like the home it is: a place that you want to hang out in after a long day of classes or a marathon study sesh. Your room should reflect your style and personality, without breaking any pesky rules about how you can and can’t alter your space.Nyjah Harris, a student at Old Dominion University, wanted to add a few personal touches to her off-campus bedroom to make it feel more like her own.

A well-designed dorm room is a gold medalist in small-space living: a tiny, often shared, space that has to support studying, relaxing, and socializing — plus score style points! It’s a decor challenge that’s actually pretty fun to solve. All it takes is a little planning and smart shopping.That’s to say, all it takes is a little IKEA.

Square foot for square foot, a dorm works way harder than your average room. It’s the place where you study for tests, unwind after a long day of classes, and hang out with friends — all while showing off your distinct style.Luckily, there’s a place where you can set yourself up for scholastic (and social) success, all while creating a living space that suits your unique aesthetic: Walmart.

For University of Miami architecture and interior design student Benedetto Rebecca, a beautiful home isn’t just a perk — it’s his major. When he lived in a dorm, he made the cinder-block space feel serene with textured curtains and warm neutral bedding. Now he shares a stylish off-campus house with friends, and he wanted to start the new school year by giving his bathroom a grown-up refresh on a student budget. “It felt a little too cold,” Benny says.