5 Dorm Decor Trends Dominating 2024, According to Pinterest and Urban Outfitters
I’m a big believer that your space should be a reflection of you, whatever that may look like. Decorating your first space – a college dorm room, your first apartment, or home – is a great way to experiment with that self-expression (where else better to confidently be your authentic self?) But as many people wonder: How can I express myself for the first time if I’m not sure who I am or what my personal design style is? My answer may surprise you: Follow (or at least look at) the trends because one or more just might resonate with you. And Urban Outfitters’ new “Shift Happens” Campaign is a great place to start that discovery process.
This dorm-dweller-favorite retailer has just kicked off a new initiative to help empower shoppers in their pursuit of self-discovery through style. They partnered with Pinterest to bring “Shift Happens” to life with “UO Space Shift,” a two-day event taking place in New York City through July 11. The activation will bring to life 10 multifunctional small spaces, each inspired by current Pinterest trends and search data. The two brands teamed up with artists and designers to bring these rooms to life, and I got a sneak peak at them. And trust me: You won’t want to miss them. I’m diving into some of the trends below to show you how to get the look yourself at home, whether your space is just a tiny corner of a room or an entire apartment.
Bouquet Getaway
Florals? For spring? Groundbreaking. No, seriously — but these aren’t the stuffy florals you might remember from the past. The “Bouquet Getaway” trend was inspired by maximalism and the resurgence of traditional chintz motifs recast in a modern way. Pinterest reports spikes in searches for “pink dorm room ideas,” “vintage floral bedding,” and “coastal granddaughter dorm,” and the elements fueling this revival range from bold, large-format flower patterns and toile prints to organic shapes such as scallops. That’s what you’ll find in the“Bouquet Getaway” trend, and you can get the look at home with the Ella Vine Floral Duvet Set.
Buy: Ella Vine Floral Duvet Set, Starts at $56.00
Sounds Lounge
Vinyl is having a moment – but do you ever wish the rest of your room could feel as cozy as your favorite record sounds? According to Pinterest, searches for music-centric decor are up significantly this year. Urban Outfitters tapped musical extraordinaire Tinashe for help defining this trend — think comfy, informal seating with oversized cushions and music-inspired patterns, which could be anything from music notes to sound waves. This trend is perfect for record collectors, concert-goers, casual listeners, and everyone in between.
Buy: Rohini Daybed Cushion, $189.00
Sweetheart Suite
Another trend coming back in a big way this year? The vintage-inspired coquette-cute aesthetic is having a huge moment in design right now. Pinterest searches for “bows aesthetic” and “coquette bows” are up +1,500%, and “vintage coquette room” increased by +225%. The “Sweetheart Suite” space and trend celebrates the ultra-cute, reimagined for anyone and everyone. You can channel this look with bow motifs, chiffon, and ruffles.
Buy: Big Bow Satin Throw Pillow, $49.00
Room of Radiance
Those fluorescent dorm room lights are not going to cut it if you’re looking to create a cozy atmosphere. Pinterest reports a +8,500% increase in searches for “vibey apartment” this year. Luckily, infusing vibes and light into your space couldn’t be more fun or easier — from string lights to neon signs, jellyfish-core lamps to paper lanterns. Find your perfect mix between task and ambient lighting to create the ultimate glow zone.
Buy: Olly Paper Lantern Floor Lamp, $79.00
Potting Paradise
Plants are never really not in. “Dark green moody bedroom” searches are up +4380% of late, with “earthy luxury bedroom” at +590%, according to Pinterest, and that’s where the “Potting Paradise” trend comes in. There’s no time like the present to start testing out your green thumb with houseplants; as long as you have enough light for proper growth, greenery will make any room feel elevated. Even with no light, though, you can still turn your space into a peaceful jungle with foliage-inspired prints like the Ivy Greenery Window Panel.
Buy: Ivy Greenery Window Panel, $39.00 $36.00
High move-in season for many college students and apartment dwellers is still several weeks away, but you can get a head start on your shopping now. In conjunction with the “Space Shift” event that these trends and several others (“Plushie Playground,” “Match My Freak Fort,” “Flow State Station,” and “DIY Den”) will be showcased at, Urban Outfitters and Pinterest will be launching a contest, where five lucky people can win $5,000 in Urban Outfitters products to bring their Pinterest board to life.
Don’t be afraid to try on one or more of these trends for size this year. It’s all part of the process of finding your personal style and creating a space that works for you.
This post originally appeared on Apartment Therapy. See it there: 5 Small Space Trends Dominating 2024, According to Pinterest and Urban Outfitters