Are you getting excited about returning to college, or starting your very first year? One of the biggest parts of university life is dorm life, so we’ve come up with some fun DIY decor projects you can create to turn your dorm room into a home away from home. 

1. Make a unique name tag for your door

Make a fun first impression by creating decorations for your dorm room’s door.  It’ll be a more personal than just a door number and makes it super easy for your friends to find you when they come to visit!

One unique art form that we love is string art. String art is the art of wrapping string around pegs or nails to create shapes and designs. You can do this yourself at home by using cork board and push pins to create shapes before winding string around the pins. Here’s a blog where you can learn more about how to get started with string art. 

Try creating a string art piece of your own name to hang on your door. It’ll be a great conversation starter when you’re meeting new friends!

 

2. Make a woven wall tapestry

A wall tapestry is a fun and easy way to add color and pattern to your room! 

Usually, we prefer to use a frame loom to create woven tapestries, but you can easily make your own loom at home using a piece of cardboard. Just take a long piece of cardboard and cut small notches along the bottom and top edges. Make sure your notches line up from top to bottom. Using these notches in the cardboard, you can thread your cardboard just like you would a frame loom!

For more detailed instructions about constructing a cardboard loom, you can read more here. 

 

3. Create a succulent terrarium

Introduce a touch of nature to your desk by creating a succulent terrarium. Not only do terrariums look sleek and elegant, succulents are super easy to take care of. Succulents are the perfect low-stress plant for the busy college student!

Terrariums are also fairly simple to create, requiring only a glass bowl or terrarium, a succulent, rocks, and soil. For extra fun, you can personalize your terrarium with fun figurines, unique stones, and other fun decorations like plant tags!

For more details on how to create a succulent terrarium, you can visit this blog here!

4. Paint and plant!

Do you like painting? So do we!  

Try customizing a pot by painting it with fun designs and images, or even decorate it with charms and jewels for extra fun. For more inspiration and instructions on painting planters, you can read more here. 

Did you know that views of nature and plants help to improve concentration and lower stress levels?  This is the perfect project to both personalize your room decor and feel good, too!  We recommend planting a low-maintenance plant like a snake plant, Pothos, or succulent to keep stress low while focusing on your studies. 

 

5. Create a Mini Easel Painting

Bring some color and fun to your space by making new art -- specifically mini art! We love creating mini paintings because they're quick to make when you're running low on time. You can hang them up on your wall or place them on a mini easel -- how cute!

Not sure what to paint? Maybe try something abstract, or follow a tutorial online. We also really love simple landscapes. Most importantly, enjoy experimenting with watercolor, acrylic or oil paints while you delve into your creative side. 

Have fun exploring the expansive world of painting!

 

6. Crochet your own coasters 

Have you ever wanted to try out crochet? A crochet coaster is the perfect beginner project! And you can use it on your desk to keep it from getting damaged by water.

Crochet itself is a great hobby to get into if you're looking for stress relief. Some people even like to crochet while attending lecture! (Although, you may want to check if that's alright with your professor first.)

 

7. Make your own scent diffuser 

Do you enjoy a nice scent, but are sick of spraying Febreeze? Usually our first impulse is to burn a candle, but not all dorms allow you to burn candles indoors. (It can be a fire hazard).

Enter scent diffusers! Scent diffusers smell great and look elegant as well. They’re also surprisingly easy to make.  

You can use this simple recipe at home to make your perfect scent!

 

8. Create a dried floral arrangement

We love a beautiful floral arrangement, but it can be sad when it wilts and dies. That’s why we’re a fan of using dried flowers – you’ve now got beautiful flowers forever. The ultimate plus for nature decor.

Pick a fun vase for your arrangement or decorate your own to make it truly you. 

You can source dried flowers at your local florist, or explore our selection of dried flowers and plants at our store.

 

9. Put together a moss art wall hanging

Did you know you can create art with moss? By using different colors of moss and other natural materials – like dried florals, wood, and twigs – you can create beautiful patterns and images. 

The best part? Moss art is a touch of green and none of the maintenance! Moss art also does really well in a humid environment, so if you're looking for art for your shared bathroom this might be the perfect thing.

 

10. Make a mini zen rock garden

With tons of classwork around the corner, you’re going to need a tool for stress relief. Why not create a mini zen rock garden?

Zen gardens are areas of sand that you can use a tool to trace our patterns in. You can also add your favorite rocks and figurines – or even multi-colored sand – to make your zen garden stand out.  

Make sure to get yourself a mini rake to help you make patterns in your sand! 

11. Knit a cozy blanket 

Your new dorm bed needs some love too! Why not knit your own blanket? We recommend using a chunky chenille yarn for extra coziness. 

If you've never tried knitting before but are interested, this is a perfect place to start! You can knit chunky blankets without using knitting needles, which makes it a little easier. Plus, you don't have to worry about figuring out needle sizes, lengths, and so on. All you need is yarn and yourself!

Get ready to be the envy of all your friends on movie night!

 

12. Knit a matching pillow

Since you’ve made yourself a new knitted blanket, why not knit a pillow to match! Then you’ll truly have the coziest dorm room at your college.  This project is a perfect follow-up to the knitted blanket, and also doesn't require you to use knitting needles. 

Plus, it's always good to have something cozy to hug while pulling an all-nighter. 

13. Paint your own fabric pencil pouch

You’re going to need a lot of practical items to stay organized during the semester – and a pencil pouch is one of them.  

Using fabric paint or markers, why not decorate and personalize your pencil pouch? We also recommend using stencils if you like a more planned and clean look. 

A personalized pencil pouch might make studying a touch more whimsical – if that’s possible!

 

14. Decoupage a bed tray 

Do you like studying while sitting in bed? Using a bed tray to hold water, coffee, and other snacks can be really helpful. Why not personalize your bed tray, too? 

Decoupage – the sister of collage – is the art of layering paper, stickers, and other decorative items onto an object. This creates a fun effect on any item you’d like to decorate. 

You can even use photos of family and friends in your decoupage art to keep them close by while you study.

 

15. Paint your own glass

Another fun project for our painters – paint your own glass! Staying hydrated is important, so  why not make it a little extra fun?

You can paint freeform shapes and patterns, or use stencils to get the exact image you’d like on your glass. 

One thing’s for sure – you’ll always know which glass is yours in the communal kitchen!

 

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If you’d like to learn more about any of the techniques discussed, we offer a range of beginner workshops in tapestry weaving, blanket knitting, floral arrangement, moss art, and more.  Join in-person at our open studio space or in a workshop!

We hope these 15 ideas give you the inspiration you need for your next DIY project and kick your school year into gear! 

‘Til next time – keep crafting!