How to Create a Dreamy Dorm

It’s happening, your baby is flying the coop. She’s heading to a boring, box of a room and it’s time to make it cozy and leave her with a sense of home away from home. We scoured Etsy to find all the cutest dreamy dorm accoutrements and a few things to start her college career off on the right foot.

At Cottages & Bungalows, we love to curate and share our favorite finds from across the web with you. Some of the products you’ll see on this page are affiliate links, which means that if you click through and make a purchase, C&B will earn a small commission at no extra cost to you!

For Her

Woman in black jumper with chunky knit gray cardigan modeling a brown leather purse that also converts to a backpack. — Courtesy of TravelingSun

How chic is this backpack? Send her to her first day of classes with confidence and all her notebooks stowed away in this gorgeous leather bag.

Girl in a tropical kimono holding a stack of leather, colored monogrammed makeup bags. — Courtesy of AuthorL

Keep all herr things clearly marked in an adorable leather monogrammed makeupbag so her suite mate doesn’t steal her favorite lipstick.

Come On In!

Jute doormat with "hello there" in black swirly font with feet in brown booties to show scale. — Courtesy of Drift Design Co.

Welcome friends over to your new place, just have them look for the cutest doormat in the hall.

White farmhouse style dry-erase board with a place for markers, mail and keys. — Courtesy of Harmony Boards.

Open up those lines of communication with the new roomie and stash your keys right by the door with this lovely dry-erase board.

Four bright colored leather, monogrammed loops attached to a key ring arranged next to a silver key. — Courtesy of Swag and Tassel

Keep your bike lock and dorm room keys within reach and easy to find with a bright personalized leather keyring.

White wall with a string of hanging photos. — Courtesy of LeeArt Designs

Photos to comfort you in moments of home-sickness… and grab a second set to put up photos of your new college memories.

Cozy Necessities

Slender woman in rose colored two piece linen pajamas with black drawstring. Dreamy jammies for your dreamy dorm. — Courtesy of Pillow and Pajamas

Cozy linen jammies, that could also make a trip down the hall if you had to run out the door for a sec.

Stack of folded, light blue, tie-dye bed linens. — Courtesy of Aya Textile Craftworks

Create a luxurious place to rest your head with this tie dye boho bedding set in the most calming shade of dusty blue.

Pair of feet modeling hand knit, mustard yellow socks. — Courtesy of Lily’s Handmade

She’ll want a pair in every color, but for now let’s get her these cozy, hand knit socks in mustard.

Set of three stackable, gray, wool felt storage bins with black button accents. — Courtesy of Woolly Clouds

These adorable under bed storage containers allow for her to keep all her necessities organized and out of view. Marie Kondo would be so proud.

Gray and yellow pendant pillow with Purdue University on the front in yellow and black. — Courtesy of MimGriffith Designs

Snuggle up with school spirit! How cute is this pendant pillow?

Cream colored handmade throw blanket with a fringed edge. Perfect for your dreamy dorm and folded compactly on top of a wooden box. — Courtesy of Texturable Decor

This handmade, chunky off-white throw looks so cozy. Curl up with those lit books and read your heart out.

Edgy Essentials

White framed art print of Eleven from Stranger Things. — Courtesy of Nazar Art

Everyone needs a wall print of their spirit animal to tackle those long study sessions. El is our hero, she says, “you’ve got this!”

White coffee mug that says" call your mother" — Courtesy of Most Toasty Goods

You know she’s worried, so when you sip your morning Joe don’t forget to call and remind her you’re doing ok.

Handmade jute rug laid at the foot of the bed with two stools and across from a large mirror. — Courtesy of Outlavish

Lay the foundations for an dreamy dorm with this handwoven jute area rug with gorgeous details.

White, handmade ceramic teapot with tall handle places next to a pile of homemade cookies. — Courtesy of Rebecca W Ceramics

Early mornings and late nights require a cup of warm tea and this handmade teapot or a sweet mug looks darn cute as kitchen decor while it’s waiting for it’s next use in your dreamy dorm.

Stack of three Turkish towels in navy, light blue and coral all with white fringe. — Courtesy of The Longest Thread

These Turkish towels do the trick and look cute and compact while doing it. They come in a wide variety of sizes and colors.

Cement tiled bathroom with a white bench and a hanging striped linen laundry bag hanging from a closet door. — Courtesy of Alabatis

Schlep all that laundry down in style with this charming striped linen laundry bag.

Dreamy Dorm Desk

Wooden desk topped with an air plant on a stack of vintage books next to a black and brass dome lamp. — Courtesy of ModCreation Studio

Make that desk a welcoming place to work with this sleek black and brass dome lamp.

Stack of 3 spiral notebooks in gray, green and peach with monogrammed name on the cover. — Letter C Design

Easily organized and stylish as well with this set of 3 personalized spiral notebooks.

Light wood desk topped with a notepad, small basket, and a striped ceramic bowl filled with pencils. — Courtesy of Noemarin

Keep all the dreamy dorm desk trinkets in one cute spot with this ceramic striped pencil holder.

Retro pink plastic alarm clock with gold detailing. — Courtesy of Mustard Dandelion

If one must wake up early at least the alarm clock can look cheerful, right? We loved this vintage pink alarm clock!

Want more simply beautiful ideas? Check out this post on The Perfect Monogrammed Mug and send your college kiddo a welcome package with a fresh mug from mom.

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