Moving into a college dorm is an exciting milestone for many young people. With new friends to make and new things to learn, there is so much to soak in.

Decorating your room in your own personal style will offer your peers a window into who you are and what you like. And it makes your room awesome!

To personalize your space even more, add wall art like a collage poster or framed canvas print. Choose favorite photos from a recent trip with friends or family vacation to make your new space feel just like home.

(Because you) care package

Calling all Parents: Send them off with a tote bag (or sturdy new backpack) full of freshman essentials. They will thank you for it later.

Photo mug / Insulated tumblers with instant coffee sachets. (*Tip – City pride embellishment stickers double as conversational ice breakers.)
Water bottles – losing their voice is inevitable at college! And staying hydrated is so important.
Photo keychain– Make it that much easier to keep track of their room key.
Photo tea towel/dish cloth – So they have no excuse for not drying the dishes and putting them away!
Notebook – For all that furious note-taking and staying on top of it all!
Personalized stationery (plus stamps) – When they write home (to ask for extra spending money).
Photo memory book – Create a book of family moments so they can cheer themselves up if they get homesick. (*Tip: write something personal next to each photo and leave space for them to record their initial thoughts about leaving home for college.)
Custom blankets and pillows – Extra comfort during long hours of study.
Lots and lots of prints from home…

Next, help them decorate their new room with these handy tips and ideas:

Graduates: Celebrate moment to moment

Print out photos for your noticeboard – Choose a selection of prints that celebrate family and friendship. Remember you can refresh them every month (for free) when you download the free Snapfish Photo App!

Frame it

Personalize their room with a large photo board. Fasten string or wire across a picture frame, then clip your favorite snapshots throughout. Picture boards allow you to take photos off of your computer, tablet or phone and proudly display them on your walls. These boards can bring your most cherished memories to life, and you’ll end up with decor that’s both beautiful and meaningful. No matter your style, we have a photo print size & layout option to match. Hang your photos with small pegs, and add extra visual impact by displaying photos of varying sizes.

*Tip: Create retro Polaroid-style prints when you make collage prints. In the builder, simply change “orientation” to portrait, add an image, click “shuffle” and drag the image to the required size. Remember to leave space at the bottom for a text box to give you space for your caption.

You could then caption each photo with the date and location so your special moments are captured and preserved. Line them perfectly in a frame, leaving ample white space for easy viewing.

You could create a twinkly effect, by attaching photos to your string lights. This guaranteed to make even the messiest room look tidy and cozy.

Fasten strings of lights across the wall or around a mirror or board. Making the pattern seasonal is an easy way to decorate for the winter holiday season, and re-shaping the lights afterwards is simple. For the all-important final touch, hang photos on the twinkle lights with small pegs or hooks.

Magnetic look

Create a magnetic memory board that is easy to design and adjust. Simply choose a metal board as your background and decorate it with customised photo magnets that match your personality and style. A magnetic board gives you the option to replace photos whenever you want – a bonus when you have an active social life and want to swap in (and out) your favorite party moments. Our photo magnets come as 3×2 and 4×6 sizes so you can mix and match them with photo prints on your board

Create an eclectic photo wall

Use your monthly free print allowance to print your favorite photos in a range of styles and sizes, then secure them to the wall with low-tack tape. The diversity of your display, which may include a calendar or photo collage, will add texture to your wall.

Arrange photos in the shape of a heart for DIY dorm decor that bursts with love and warmth. Choose candids from summer outings with friends or skiing in the winter with family. Build contrast by using different types of photos, from landscapes to family portraits.

Home away from home

Get personal:

Keep it cozy by layering your favorite blankets, fluffy fleeces and colorful pillows. Personalize everything from your smartphone to coffee mug to spruce up your space. Not only are they sweet reminders of your loved ones but they also make your room look unique and inviting.

Motivational messaging

Sometimes we all need a push; when you are living away from home, it is easy to become disheartened. Print motivational or meaningful messages onto mugs, pillows and notebooks, e.g. a favorite saying from a wise family member.

On the grid

Create a photo grid using our re-positionable photo tiles. Create a collage of family and treasured moments from home. Mix up photos of your home city with favorite faces to give your room a lift.

Break the ice

Create ice breakers with city pride (embellishments) custom products. Think posters, blankets, mugs, cushions, and rugs.

Re-usable water bottles and mugs to keep your germs to yourself (and protect you from the germs of others!) and save the environment.

Customize a beach towel to motivate you to hit the gym and enjoy the outdoors.

Colorful bath mat (or side of the bed mat) because dorm rooms need design love, too! Create a personalized Snapfish floor mat for any of your spaces.

Monochromatic monograms

Create simple artwork and cozy pillows with your initials for that perfect accent to any chilling space. Or create a photo collage poster.

Get super creative and have fun with your (personalized) mugs.

Succulents are easy to take care of (perfect for the busy student lifestyle) and don’t require much light, making them the ideal plant for a dorm room. Place your succulent in a photo mug with your initials.

Wall and desk calendars to keep track of your class schedule and social events. Snapfish wall calendars can start at any month, so create your personal academic year calendar. Or create a desk calendar if you want to keep your walls free for prints and art.

Customize your calendars with photos from family gatherings, meaningful quotes or fun photos of you and your best pals.

Matching your dorm room look with your personality is important. Choose unique color schemes, photos and pillows to create a vibe that will help you feel relaxed and happy. Make the most of your time in your room by personalizing your space.

For the final touch, customize a fleece blanket that can lay on your bed or futon. This will come in handy during those (inevitable) late nights studying or watching movies with friends.

What would you create in your personal space? Please share your custom home decor ideas with us. We love seeing what you create. Remember to tag us with @snapfishus or #snapfish when you share on Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest.