As you start to make your dorm feel more like home, we’ve got some simple and affordable DIY ideas to help you create a personalized, comfortable dorm room. From beautiful photo mats that coordinate with your overall aesthetic to custom dry-erase/chalkboards, furniture refreshes, and more, peel and stick NuWallpaper by WallPops can get the job done.
DIY Photo Mats with Your Dorm Color Palette
It’s likely that you’ve already picked your favorite photos and artwork to display in your space, but did you know there is a simple and easy way to elevate your gallery wall with peel and stick wallpaper?
Pick your favorite pattern (or multiple coordinating patterns, if you’d like to get creative) of peel and stick wallpaper and create some custom photo frame mats that match your aesthetic!
How to DIY Custom Photo Mats:
- Lay your peel and stick wallpaper face-down on a sturdy surface and place photo mat on top. Trace the mat’s outermost edges onto the paper.
- Cut outside of the traced outline, leaving about a 1/2 inch of overage on all sides.
- Remove the backing, then smooth the peel and stick wallpaper onto the mat.
- Turn the photo mat over, wallpapered side down. Along the inside of the mat, where the photo is visible, use a craft or utility knife to carefully cut out the inner portion of the mat, leaving a small bit of material, just like in step 2.
- Snip a slit into each corner of the excess peel and stick wallpaper that is hanging over the edge of the mat. Carefully fold and smooth each flap over the edge of the mat to create a crisp, clean edge on the inside of the mat.
- Place mat into frame, then add artwork or photos of your choice & enjoy!
DIY Custom Dry Erase & Chalkboards
Get creative with custom-shaped dry erase or chalkboards! Using peel and stick wallpaper designed for writing and drawing, you can easily transform any smooth, flat surface into a custom memo board surface! Use it on walls, furniture and beyond for easy and accessible note-taking, your way.
Customize Your School Supplies
Keep the cohesive look throughout your supplies! Notebooks, laptops, and other school supplies can be fantastic canvases for creative peel and stick wallpaper installation. Create custom laptop skins, book covers, bookmarks and more with a little bit of NuWallpaper. Bonus points if the prints are used throughout your dorm room!
Deck Out Your Drawer & Shelves With Custom Liners
Make the mundane a little bit more magnificent; adding a liner to your drawers or shelves is another simple way to add color to and elevate your space in a subtle way! Just cover the inside or side panels of drawers with a liner that matches your color palette to keep things looking tidy and stylish. Bring out a funky bookshelf backdrop for a unique pop of color in an unexpected space.
DIY Mini Fridge Makeover
Finally, why not extend your décor to your mini fridge? A custom cover can turn this practical appliance into an eye-catching piece that fits perfectly with the rest of your room.
These easy and affordable ideas are perfect for making your dorm room feel like home. If you try any of these, we’d love to see how they turn out! Share your creations with us on social media.
Good luck with the rest of your semester, and happy decorating!
Hannah is the Brand Marketing Manager for WallPops and RoomMates Decor. A dedicated design enthusiast with a passion for creating, her drive to bring ideas to reality never runs dry. In her free time, you will find her painting, spending time with her animals, or curating décor ideas for her dream traditional-styled home. Connect with Hannah through our social channels or here on LinkedIn!
