Pinterest's Top 5 Dorm Room Decor Trends of 2024

Pinterest just released their 2024 dorm room trend report, and the timing is perfect: Students are getting ready right now for the upcoming academic year—and how they plan to style their dorm rooms is definitely top of mind. Naturally, they're scrolling through Pinterest for inspo, and Pinterest, in turn, is analyzing those search trends.

Specifically, the platform evaluated the search patterns of users ages 18-24 who searched between April and May of last year and April through May of this year. Then, they compiled all the data into a neat report that summarized their findings. The biggest one? College kids have quite a broad range of decor preferences, spanning from coastal to gothic. But let's dive into the numbers to see what exactly the top dorm room decor trends are on Pinterest.

Baddie Dorm Room Aesthetic

According to Pinterest, searches for the phrase "baddie dorm room" have risen by a whopping 775%! (If you're wondering what a "baddie" is, Urban Dictionary defines it as an attractive female "who can hold her own and take care of herself." So basically, being a baddie is a good thing!)

The "baddie" dorm room vibe is characterized by neon lighting, large framed posters, mirrors, splashes of pink and gold, and maybe a leopard print accent here or there. It’s really all about being bold and feminine at the same time.

Coastal Granddaughter Dorm

This trend isn't super surprising considering the "Nancy Meyers Core" aesthetic is hot right now, and the decorating styles have some similarities. But it's still intriguing to learn that a younger demographic actually wants a more traditional vibe in their dorm rooms—searches for "coastal granddaughter dorm" have shot up over 200% in a year-to-year comparison.

To get the look, you should know the most defining aspect of the coastal granddaughter aesthetic is the color palette. Bright whites, ivories, and light blues create a relaxing, beachy atmosphere. Of course, seashells, nautical framed paintings, and starfish accents are necessary details to complete this look. And you can't forget rattan accents and linen curtains!

Gothic Dorm Room

On one end of the spectrum, we have coastal granddaughter and on the other... we have gothic decor. You probably have a pretty good idea of what gothic decor is: gargoyles, deep velvets, skulls, and crosses. And apparently college kids are really into it for dorm rooms—Pinterest says searches for "gothic dorm room" increased 80%.

While this aesthetic is a bit more involved, a few lacy drapes hanging from the ceiling, antique paintings with thick frames, and drippy candles will start you on the right track. Keep in mind that your room doesn’t have to be dark to achieve a gothic style, even if you have primarily ivory in your room. As long as there is lots of textured lace and a few dark Victorian elements, it will be unmistakably gothic.

Earthy Dorm

Biophilic style has been trending for a while now in high-end design, but the earthy aesthetic is now trickling down into campus bedrooms—Pinterest reports that searches for "earthy dorm" increased 45%. Lots of green and plant-related searches also popped off on the platform.

In a dorm room setting, it might seem hard to nail the earthy aesthetic, but you can easily achieve it with faux plant vines and butterfly displays. If you have space, incorporating wood furniture, or even wood accents like picture frames, will play up the forest setting.

Coquette Core Dorm

"Coquette" is derived from French and is often used to describe a cute, flirty person. And yet somehow, we've managed to turn it into a whole design style we aspire to have: College-aged kids are searching for "coquette dorm," with interest increasing 40%. "Vintage coquette room" skyrocketed 5,555%!

The coquette aesthetic is similar to the coastal granddaughter in terms of its light and airy feel, but it skews a little more pink. Defined by bows, florals, and lace, this style is the epitome of femininity. Set up a small white vanity with all of these details to really capture the style.