Style & Shopping

Transform Your Dorm into a Mermaidcore Seascape for Under $130

published Jul 7, 2023
We independently select these products—if you buy from one of our links, we may earn a commission. All prices were accurate at the time of publishing.
collage of little mermaid film still, 2 product silos
Credit: Photos: Amazon, Etsy, Shutterstock,Giles Keyte / © Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures / Courtesy Everett Collection; Design: Dorm Therapy

The vibe for 2023 is all about mermaidcore (think: dreamy blue and purples, hypnotic iridescents, ocean-inspired silhouettes, and beachy boho details). With Halle Bailey’s The Little Mermaid still making a splash after its May 2023 release, inspiration for the breezy, aquatic aesthetic is everywhere. If the enchanting mermaid look is calling to you, too, consider the recent rise in mermaidcore your siren song for dorm decor.

Looking to refresh your collection of dinglehoppers and thingamabobs? I dove in and found the perfect mermaidcore-inspired decor for your space, from handmade macrame shelves that call to mind the clean canvas of a sailboat or a sailor’s knot, to mermaid-inspired artwork and a whimsical shell lamp that will transport you straight to life under the sea.

Check out the products below to transform your dorm into a mermaidcore dream, all for under $130 total.

1 / 5
Anthropologie
$29.95
was $44.00

This garden pot from Anthropologie brings all the best aspects of the mermaidcore look together in one unique piece. Its shell-inspired shape and unpolished cement exterior are reminiscent of a sandy beach. It can also double as a planter or vase, which makes it the perfect way to bring some of the natural world indoors.

2 / 5
Etsy
$24.79

There are few things as beautiful as the dancing sunlight on the bottom of the ocean floor. A mesmerizing suncatcher will fill your space with a similarly captivating light show as it sends rainbows across the room. Hang it up by a window to bring a bit of magic to your routine as it catches the sun at different times throughout the day.

3 / 5
Amazon
$24.99

This shimmery pink table light is the perfect way to bring some of the beauty of the sea right to your desk or bedside table. The shell exterior’s iridescent finish also provides some welcome shine to the piece — which can double as a catch-all dish — to complement the warm glow of the pearl, which wouldn’t be out of place in Ariel’s secret grotto.

4 / 5
Etsy
$33.75

As anyone who has ever related to Ariel knows, a mermaid needs a dedicated trove in which to display their treasures. This macrame hanging shelf — which comes in a variety of colors! — is a great way to display all your most prized possessions while staying true to the bohemian vibe at the heart of the mermaidcore aesthetic. It’s also a great way to maximize space.

5 / 5
Redbubble
$16.19

Why not join the centuries of artists (and sailors) who have made the mermaid their muse? This art board print by artist Donna Atkins is sure to bring some vintage-inspired romance to any room. Or perhaps you’re more interested in mer-cats — in which case, this print is for you. Whatever your preference, an art print is a unique way to support a small artist and bring some under-the-sea personality to your space.

Sofia Andrade

Contributor

Sofia Andrade is a Miami-based journalist and the child of Ecuadorian immigrants. She is a first-generation student at Harvard University, where she was most recently Arts Chair of The Harvard Crimson. Sofia’s writing has been featured in the Washington Post, Slate, The Nation, El Nuevo Herald, and elsewhere. She recently spent her junior-year spring semester abroad in Madrid, and came back home with plenty of decor inspo (including a newfound obsession with tiles!).

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SchoolHarvard University '24
FavesConcerts, picnics, new crafts, and found trinkets
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