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If you’re wondering how to hang pictures in a dorm room, we’ve got 3 easy-peasy methods!
Wanna add a whole heap of personality and character to your university or college dorm room? Adorning your walls with photos, printables, or art pieces is the way to go!
Not only do they help tie your decor together, they bring a homey feel that’s often so desperately needed in those first few weeks living in student accommodation.
So, here’s how to hang pictures in a dorm room that doesn’t allow nails, hooks, or screws to be used. Plus, we’ve got 8 genius photo display ideas to help you perfect your dormitory styling!
How to Hang Pictures in a Dorm Room (With ZERO Damage!)
The first thing you need to know is that the majority of dorm rooms at college or university DO NOT allow you to add nails, hooks, or screws to your walls.
If you are found to have any of the above – or even sticky tack – on your walls, you could be in for a pretty hefty fine (don’t say we didn’t warn you!).
So, here’s how to hang pictures in a dorm room without damaging walls and leave zero traces at the end of the school year.
1. Command Strips
For those photos or wall art pieces that don’t have a frame, Command Strips are a brilliant option. The fact that the strips are invisible definitely makes them the best way to hang pictures in a dorm room!
2. Command Hooks
Hanging larger and heavier pictures in a frame? You’ll probably need something a little stronger than Command Strips, and Command Hooks are just right for the job!
Plus, the clear design makes them virtually invisible – a must-have feature, because let’s be real, Command Hooks are not the most aesthetic.
3. Decorative Washi Tape
Usually, we’d advise against putting tape on your walls – they’re way too sticky and could potentially pull off any paint when removed. But washi tape is typically the complete opposite, designed with weaker adhesive to minimise damage.
This is a fun and fab option for sticking lightweight posters, prints, or individual photographs to your dorm room walls!
Not got a clue what you need to take with you to university? We’ve made the ultimate university checklist, covering all the basics in cleaning and decor!
How to Hang Pictures in a Dorm Room: 8 Creative Photo Display Ideas
1. Create a Photo Frame Collage
Ever the indecisive decorator? Instead of committing to having your photos plastered directly onto your walls, add them into a frame instead!
This is one of the best DIY college dorm decor ideas you can do over the summer before the semester starts. And it’ll help you feel at home as soon as you get to university!
Here’s how we created our photo frame collage (and yes, those are photo booth printouts from a bar…):
Step 1: Buy a Large Photo Frame
We picked up a pretty (and super cheap) decent quality frame from IKEA, but Amazon also has some great alternatives. Just remember… the bigger the better to help you include more of your favourite memories in your collage!
Step 2: Cut Paper or Card to Size
Remove any inserts that come with the photo frame and replace it with paper of your choice. We chose white for a clean, stripped-back look, but you could also use wallpaper scraps or wrapping paper for a bolder aesthetic!
Step 3: Arrange Your Photos
This is the part where it all starts to come together – we recommend sticking your photos to your paper so they don’t budge (double-sided tape will do the trick!).
And don’t forget to get creative. Using the same size photos in a uniform fashion adds a classy edge, but you can totally play around with the size and composition to make your frame one-of-a-kind!
Step 4: Piece Your Frame Together
Just like you would when adding a single photo, piece your photo frame together and voilà!
2. Utilise Your String Lights
String lights and polaroids go together like coffee and cream (okay, not quite – but you get the gist).
Figuring out how to hang pictures in a dorm room is easy-peasy if you have lights hung up in your place. All you need is some teeny-tiny wooden pegs to attach the photos to the cable!
3. Make It Abstract
There are literally no rules when it comes to decorating your dorm room walls. And if you can’t embrace super fun room decor in your teens, then when can you?
One of our favourite ways to display photos in a dorm room is to create an “unorganised mess” kinda vibe. Let go of any expectations of what your gallery wall should look like and have fun creating something that looks visually intriguing.
You could even tell a story with the photos if you really want to go all out!
4. Cover the Entire Wall
Desperately trying hard to disguise those ugly dorm room walls? We absolutely get it. Immediately putting your own stamp on your room is crucial to help you settle in right away.
Make your space feel like your own by covering your walls floor-to-ceiling with photographs you cherish. You can even mix in posters and wall art to make it totally unique!
Excited to start shopping for your uni room must-haves? Use our uni room essentials list to stay on track when browsing!
5. Utilise Your Bulletin Board
Often, your student room will come complete with a bulletin board – bingo! But if it doesn’t, they’re super cheap to buy.
When it comes to how to hang pictures in a dorm room, this is by far one of our favourite ways thanks to the perfectly imperfect, DIY look. And the best part is, you can easily switch up your photo display throughout the school year with simple push pins!
6. Create a Scrapbook
No, we’re not stupid – we know it’d be virtually impossible to stick a scrapbook to your walls with Command Strips (despite their impressive strength!).
But some of the best photo display ideas include those that are a little more “out of the box”, like filling up a scrapbook with all your favourite photos.
Keep it by your bedside or put it in the spotlight on your desk or wall shelves – no matter what you do, this is a fab way to keep some of your most unforgettable memories close by at university!
7. Adopt a Mature & Minimal Aesthetic
Wondering how to hang pictures in a dorm room without making it look like a pre-teen’s Tumblr dream?
When we think of interiors oozing class, sophistication, and maturity, they typically have these three things in common:
- A neutral, monochromatic colour scheme
- Lots of clean lines and simple forms
- An element of symmetry
So, why not transform your dorm room by choosing pictures and frames that mimic this aesthetic? Printing black and white photos is a great place to start, along with choosing multiple same-size frames!
Struggling to decide on a university room decor theme? Here are 5 easy-to-recreate interior styles you need to know about!
8. Lean Pictures Against Your Wall
The beauty of this genius photo display idea? Wherever there’s a flat surface – like your dresser, your desk, or your nightstand – you can prop up your photos. And it literally *could not* be simpler.
Opt for just one like the photo above, or create a visual masterpiece by combining a mix of frame sizes. You can even overlap them for that Pinterest-ready look!