10 Dorm Rugs That Will Totally Transform Your Room (for Under $150!)

No amount of time spent making Pinterest boards could have prepared me for entering my 1960s-built freshman dorm room: an expanse of gray cinder blocks with one small window. While it may seem daunting at first, turning a drab dorm room into a space that feels like home is entirely possible. A good dorm rug is the closest thing to a cure-all for a lackluster space — it protects feet from cold floors, ears from noisy downstairs neighbors, and eyes from bland surfaces. 

The best dorm rugs don’t just add color or texture to a room, but also make it a more comfortable space to study, hang out with friends, and relax. But how do you know that you’ve found the right rug for your space? If finding the “right”  rug feels as overwhelming as registering for classes for the first time, we’re here to help break down how to find the best rug for your dorm. 

There are so many rug styles, shapes, and colors out there, which can be overwhelming if you don’t know where to start. The good thing is dorm rugs usually fit into one of the following categories: 

• Area rugs: A classic for a reason! Area rugs often fill a majority of floor space, tying together furniture and bringing warmth and color to your whole dorm. 
• Accent rugs: Think of these rugs as little attention-grabbers. Their small size makes them great for playing around with bold patterns and textures. (If you’re feeling really playful, you can even layer an accent rug on top of another bigger rug!) 
• Runners: These are long and skinny rugs perfect for narrow spaces, like the area between dorm beds. 
• Doormats: Both a functional way to keep dirt out of your dorm and a fun place to assert your vibe to your new hallway neighbors. 

A beautiful rug isn’t worth much if it’s too big and constantly catching on your rolling desk chair, or if it’s too small, meaning you’re still stepping out of bed onto a cold, bare floor). In many dorm rooms, area rugs fill space without being too cumbersome, but smaller accent rugs are great for adding some extra visual interest or creating mini “zones” within your room. 

• 2’x3’:These tiny but mighty rugs are great as accent rugs or in small spaces like closets or bathrooms. 
• 3’x5’: While this rug size won’t cover your entire floor, it’s great for cozying up a section of your dorm like under a desk or reading nook.
• 4’x6’: The 5’ x7’ rug’s chiller, younger sibling. This rug is a good size to put under or between dorm beds if you prefer to leave some bare floor showing. 
• 5’x7’: These area rugs cover the most area out of all these options.They’re a great way to tie together roommates’ different aesthetics from each side by (literally) meeting in the middle. 

Ready to dive into the world of dorm rugs? Here are 10 stylish and functional rugs that all cost less than $150.