College dorms are blank slates that are moved into by new residents each year. Most come with an XL double bed and a desk, but not all are the same. Basic rooms can be truly transformed by furniture and art. Others rely less on decoration to make them highly desirable thanks to features like a high ceiling, large windows with incredible views, a private bathroom, a double bed, and luxury building amenities. If you want to know which dorm rooms stand out from the rest, we’ve rounded up the best dorm rooms across the country—many for their original design, and some for the inspiring makeovers residents have given them over the years that make them incredibly cool.
Northeastern University in Massachusetts
At Northeastern University, you may be able to secure a corner room with floor-to-ceiling glass windows. Not only will you have plenty of natural light, but the views (especially the colorful foliage in the fall!) complete the idyllic Boston setting. All you need to bring are cozy blankets and pillows!
The University of Miami in Florida
The University of Miami’s Centennial Village is the result of a multi-year plan to modernize campus housing. In addition to brand new finishes and furnishings, the buildings are equipped with numerous amenities. There are study areas, music practice rooms, a meditation room, outdoor terraces, and a massive dining hall with high ceilings.
Honorable Mention: This blue and white room with rattan accents in a University of Miami apartment offers great inspiration for dorm decorating.
High Point University in North Carolina
Students in advanced semesters and doctoral students have the opportunity to High Point University Panther Commonswhich cost a whopping $95 million to build and opened its doors in August 2023. The rooms have full size beds and a convenient mini kitchen with a large fridge and microwave. In the private bathrooms, the round mirrors have built-in lighting and the showers have glass doors (no risk of moldy curtains there!). In addition to the dorms, the campus dorm includes tiny houses.
Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri
Students who have attended Wash U especially love the memory foam mattresses in the dorms. But beyond the beds, South 40 also has freshman and sophomore dorms. Described by the university as a small town, South 40 has its own fitness center, dining halls, technology center, conference rooms, athletic fields, basketball and sand volleyball courts, recreation and game rooms, music practice rooms, and more.
Fordham University in New York
Fordham offers a range of dormitories to suit virtually every taste. There are dormitories with large windows with View of the New York City skyline near Lincoln Center. Staying on the Bronx’s main campus will make you feel like you are in a quaint, historic city. Some dorms even have a charming Spiral staircase that literally takes loft living to the next level.
The University of California, Santa Barbara
A dormitory with a private bathroom is a rarity. UC Santa BarbaraThere are quadruple rooms that not only have private bathrooms, but also balconies with sliding glass doors. Imagine all the delicious morning coffee residents can drink there! And, perhaps most importantly, the rooms have multiple closets.
Harvard University in Massachusetts
The entire housing system at Harvard is unrivalled for lovers of dark academic worlds. Freshmen live in Harvard Yard and dine in Annenberg Hall, which is directly Harry Potter thanks to its high ceilings, stained glass windows, and rows of chandeliers. Some of the dorms and suites feature exposed brick walls, decorative fireplaces, alcoves, and window seats for cozy reading time.
The University of Mississippi
There isn’t a dorm room that can’t be enhanced with a pretty headboard and colorful accents. While basic, Ole Miss accommodations are ideal for residents who like to add their own personal touches. White furniture, pink and orange accents (pillows, rugs, and blankets), and name-shaped neon signs add charm to these dorm rooms. Essentials with Edena designer and graduate who specializes in decorating college dorm rooms, from drab to spectacular.
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