This post may contain affiliate links, which means we’ll receive a commission if you purchase through our link, at no extra cost to you. See our disclosure here.
Can you believe it’s already time to start back-to-school shopping? Believe it or not, or ready or not, it is time. If you’re heading off to college, getting ready for dorm life, and jumping into the college scene, we’re here to help.
While dorm life can take some getting used to, creating a space you want to come back to after a long day of lectures and studying will upgrade your college experience. A cozy, coastal theme just seems like the perfect way to decorate a dorm. The hues of blue, soft whites, and warm textures will make your dorm room feel like a true sanctuary.
Below, we’re breaking down everything you’ll need to achieve the coastal dorm aesthetic. From coastal dorm bedding, wicker decorative accents, and coastal wall art, these are the key pieces you don’t want to miss out on. Keep reading for all the coastal dorm room inspiration for your dream dorm makeover.
1. Stick with a Blue & Cream Bedding
When it comes to creating a coastal aesthetic, keeping the color palette simple is essential. Focus on blues, creams, whites, and tans as your base. A majority of your bedding should be within this specific color scheme to create a bright and airy feel. It will make your dorm room feel like there’s sand and ocean right outside your door.
Ruffle Stripe Duvet Cover
Chloe Ruffle Duvet
2. Add Some Pops of Color
Once your basic, blue and white bedding and decorative accents are selected, feel free to add some pops of color. Golden yellow is a wonderful choice if you’re looking to add a bit of vibrance to your space. Otherwise, pinks, greens, and darker blues can be added with blankets, wall art, or decorative pillows.
Tropical Oasis Pillow
Sardine Pillow
3. Wicker Accents Are a Must
Whicker is a key element in coastal design. It adds the perfect amount of warmth and character to a small dorm room, too. Opt for a wicker headboard or add woven baskets on your desk, in storage cubbies, or as a basket to store extra blankets.
Tahoe Rattan Headboard
Woven Basket
4. Loft Your Bed to Create Even More Space
One of the easiest ways to create more space in your dorm room is to loft your bed. Add a small futon, sofa, or chair underneath and create a cozy place to lounge, study, or read during the school week.
Striped Modular Couch
Dorm Upholstered Ottoman
5. Add Blue & White Peel and Stick Wallpaper
If peel-and-stick wallpaper were around when we were in college, we could have gone crazy over it. To create a coastal aesthetic in your dorm room, opt for a pattern with simple stripes or a floral design.
Palm Peel & Stick Wallpaper
Blue Trellis Wallpaper
6. Hang Wall Art to Make a Coastal Gallery Wall
Do you have some space on the wall next to your bed or underneath your lofted space? Make a statement with a gallery wall full of coastal art. To create even more of an eclectic feel, use mix-and-match frames. You could even add a couple of moments, like a beach hat or mini sports banner.
7. Make Room for Under-Bed Storage
Finding unique ways to add storage to your dorm room is essential. One of the best ways we did this was by lofting our bed a few feet from the ground and adding storage bins underneath. This could also be a great space to slide your mini fridge.
KALLAX Shelf with Doors
ALEX Drawer Unit
8. Add a Long Bed Skirt to Hide Items
Conceal all the items underneath your lofted bed with a long bed skirt. They make these specifically for dorm rooms. It’s a great way to make your space feel styled without showing all the items you have underneath.
Twin XL Bedskirt
9. Decorate with Hydrangeas
Hydrangeas are a key design element to coastal design, and there’s nothing that feels “extra” about adding them to your dorm room. In fact, it would liven up your space and make it feel like a home away from home. Plus, they don’t have to be real. There are so many amazing faux floral brands to shop from — read more about them here.
10. Create a Cozy Coastal Desk Setup
When you’re not at a coffee shop or in the library, your dorm desk will be one of the most-used places to study. Decorating this space with a coastal aesthetic can motivate you to actually use it.
Scallop Shade Lamp
Irawaddy Desk Accessories
11. Hang Lantern Lights
Fun, cozy elements to add to your dorm room are lantern lights. Hang one or two over your bed or get a string of lantern lights to line the edge of the ceiling. This small touch adds a coastal vibe and a warm glow to your room in the evening.
Battery Operated Lantern String Lights
Plug-In Pendant Lantern Light
12. A Beachy Coffee Cart Is a Must-Have
Whether you’re drinking a Keurig coffee machine or your own espresso machine in your dorm, a coffee station is a must. If you have enough room for a cute wicker cart, it would fit seamlessly with the beach vibes. Plus, it’ll create more storage to hold coffee mugs and other food items.
Bamboo Storage Cabinet
Bella Pro Coffee Maker
13. Make a Small Kitchen Nook
One of our regrets when living in our dorm was not creating a kitchen nook like this. Having all our appliances and food items in a shelf-setup like this would have made eating in our dorm room so much more enjoyable. Decorate the cubbies with woven baskets to make it fit the coastal aesthetic.
KALLAX Shelf Unit
