Dorm-Inspired Bedroom Updates for Your Virtual College Student

A lot of universities will be starting their school year online, which means many freshman college students will begin their first semester in the very same room they grew up in. That can be disappointing for teens who were looking forward to branching out and beginning their adult lives in a new place. Fortunately, there are many ways to make their childhood bedroom feel just like a dorm room—minus the new roommate, that is.

To recreate that "at school" feeling, says Anna Kroesser of Kroesser + Strat Design, LLC, start by adding a desk with a comfortable chair, adequate lighting, and a mini fridge for water and snacks—all of these items can make the space feel more comfortable and grown up. "As for design, the most versatile organizational piece they can have is a peg board, especially if they are lacking space. Almost anything can be hooked on there, making more room on the desktop and surrounding area," she notes.

And then maximize the rest of the existing space, too. Consider a storage unit or rearranging a guest bedroom into your freshman's "office," suggests Megan Hopp of Megan Hopp Design. "The reality is that the vast majority of us don't have an extra room or two to spare and simply set up as a temporary virtual classroom, which means something has got to go," she says. "One of the greatest causes of stress in a space is trying to squeeze too much into it."

Ultimately, trying to add too much into their existing room in an attempt to create a designated learning environment might actually do more harm than good—so if it isn't working, rethink your plan. "While it's not convenient, it most likely will be worth the labor to move that guest bedroom furniture out of your home for the next six months, in order to make space for a proper desk and school storage," continues Hopp. And remember: Dorm rooms aren't exactly spacious, she adds, so whatever you're doing to recreate the feeling of one shouldn't take up too much space.

Keep cold drinks and healthy snacks within arm's reach—so they are easy to grab during late-night study sessions—with this double door mini fridge. It comes in a cheerful mint green that will add a pop of color to your freshman's room.

Shop Now: Bossin Compact Refrigerator, $219.99, amazon.com.

If we had to name the quintessential dorm detail, we'd say a pin board. This simple, straightforward wall hanging comes with adhesive strips, so you won't need any hardware to put it up.

Shop Now: Pottery Barn Teen "No Nails" Oversized Framed Pin Board, $127, pbteen.com.

Big, bright, and bold patterns make this bedding set a must-have—it's a small change that can make their entire room feel different.

Shop Now: Whim by Martha Stewart Collection Mandala Bedding Set, $107, macys.com.

This denim blue bean bag chair is adjustable—it doubles as both a seat (with a back) and a flat floor cushion. It's the ultimate place to plow through a few chapters of assigned reading.

Shop Now: Crate & Barrel Adjustable Blue Bean Bag Chair, $149, crateandbarrel.com.

Help them keep track of syllabi and essential worksheets with this two-drawer filing cabinet. Professional tip: Use the bottom half for filing and the top half for storing everything from pencils to cords.

Shop Now: Poppin White Mini Stow 2-Drawer File Cabinet with Seat, $212.49, containerstore.com.

This white desk is lightweight and wall mounted, which means it's the perfect piece for a small corner that can't support a free-standing option.

Shop Now: Pottery Barn USB Wall Desk, $249, potterybarn.com.

Dress up your student's bedroom by adding a new headboard. This velvet number is simple, but still much more comfortable than what you'd traditionally find in a wood-furniture-only dorm room.

Shop Now: West Elm Curved Headboard, $149.99, westelm.com.

Ensure your grad works smarter, not harder, with this ergonomic workstation. It allows them to easily convert a sitting workspace into a standing one.

Shop Now: Humanscale White Laptop Quickstand Eco Standing Desk Converter, $319.20, crateandbarrel.com.

This minimalist chair comes in two neutral colors, so it will match almost any décor theme. Plus, there's enough cushioning to support extended time at the computer, sans the typical desk chair silhouette.

Shop Now: West Elm Lenox Swivel Office Chair, $349, westelm.com.

They may be living within the same four walls, but that doesn't mean those walls need to remain the same. Instead, swap out one of their existing art pieces with this chic option, featuring framed pressed florals.

Shop Now: Urban Outfitters Framed Dried Floral Wall Hanging, $39, urbanoutfitters.com.

Available in four different colors, this removable wallpaper can quickly update your student's room. It makes the ultimate background for Zoom lectures and post-school hang-outs with their future roommates.

Shop Now: Ariel Okin Chinoiserie Removable Wallpaper, price dependent on quantity, chasingpaper.com.