Let’s face it, a dorm isn't the easiest place to decorate. You’re working with a blah blank canvas, that just isn’t built for the aesthetic. But want to know a simple way to instantly make it look appealing? Throw down an area rug or two.
Rugs are such a great way to brighten up floors, as… well, you can literally cover them up with cuteness. If you’ve got a space that you’re not sure how to decorate, grabbing a rug and then building decor around its style is a great way to create a cohesive look. I also find that rugs really help make a place feel like home.
Quick Menu:
1. Runner rugs
2. Rectangle rugs
3. Circle rugs
4. Fun-shaped rugs
Whether you’re just moving into dorms or are currently living in one and want to shake things up, I’ve got you. I’ve rounded up a whole range of different rugs that will make your dorm room look fab.
Roll up, roll up — it's time to peep the most gorgeous dorm rugs…
These dorm room rugs are just the right size and oh-so stylish
Why you can trust Real Homes Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you. Find out more about how we test.
I’ve split these rugs out into different size categories, so you can pick whichever one fits your space best, or even mix and match with a few.
The prices below were correct at the time of publishing this article.
Runner rugs for dorm rooms
Living with a roomie? A runner rug will fit just right in between the bed gap.
Size (ft.): W2.3 x L10
Made from: Woven
Price: $75.99
Woven textures are fab for adding a cozy, relaxed feel to any room, which is why I’m loving this multi-colored rug. It has little pops of color that will add playfulness to the room without looking too out there. It’s also reversible, meaning that you can flip it if you end up spilling anything on it. No mess, no fuss.
Size (ft.): W2 x L6
Made from: Cotton
Price: $38.99
You just can’t beat a runner rug, and this one with its fluffy rainbow motif is such a fun twist on the classic style. The style is really adaptable, meaning that you could have it in your dorm bedroom when you start college, and then move into your shared house living room later on. We stan a versatile queen!
Size (ft.): W3 x L7.2
Made from: Synthetic
Price: $69.99
Loving the coastal grandma trend that has come out of TikTok? Same, bestie. This vintage-style rug is seriously elegant, while still looking relaxed and refined. Pair this up with cream decor pieces with soft textures for a more nautical look, or go for gold accents for a more chic finish.
Rectangle rugs for dorm rooms
Spread out in your new space with a rug that will fill the floor…
Size (ft.): W3 x L5
Made from: Cotton
Price: $59
For those who want to make a statement without going completely OTT, this boho-style rug is the one to couple up with. The abstract shapes are so quirky, and just look more unique than plain ol’ stripes. You could also draw out those little pops of color in these, and pick out decor pieces that match them.
Size (ft.): W2 x L3
Made from: Faux wool
Price: $21.99
Only got a small bit of space to work with? Don’t stress, bestie. I just know that if Barbie’s dreamhouse was her dreamdorm, she’d go for something like this li'l rug. The ombre pattern adds more interest than a block of color, and would look so dreamy matched up with other pieces of pink decor in different shades.
Size (ft.): W2.6 x L6
Made from: Polypropylene
Price: $44
I’m all about styling your room for how you want to feel in it. Want to feel happy? Go for vibrant shades. Luckily, this rug is absolutely packed with gorgeous colors that are feel-good and fab. It also kinda reminds me of sunsets on the beach, with its orange and pink hues paired with the flecks of blue and beige.
Circle rugs for dorm rooms
You know it, you love it. Say hello to the circle.
Size (ft.): 2.7 diameter
Made from: Cotton/Polyester
Price: $52.50
Picture the scene. You’re having an exam crisis, and you just want to quit college and get outta there. But wait! You see this rug and realize that you need to stay and get your head in the game. So, not only will it serve as an adorable piece of decor, but it will also help get you motivated. Win win, baby.
Size (ft.): 4 diameter
Made from: Faux fur
Price: $39.99
Okay quiet luxury girlie, I see you. You want to bring refinement into your dorm, which obvi isn’t the epitome of luxe. But hey, just because it doesn’t look like a NYC penthouse, doesn’t mean we can’t style it like one. This fluffy rug has a gorgeous gold marble print, and comes in five different colors — hey, it’s good to have choice.
Size (ft.): 4 diameter
Made from: Polyester
Price: $21.99
If you really want to bring your personality into the space, this is the rug to do it. It’s brilliant and bright, with a pastel rainbow print that will make an instant splash in a drab space. The fluffy texture will keep your feet warm in cooler months, which is especially useful if your floor has wooden floorboards.
Fun-shaped rugs for dorm rooms
Want a rug that isn’t just a cookie-cutter shape or style? Look right here.
Size (ft.): W3 x L3.1
Made from: Rubber
Price: $26.99
This milkshake rug will def bring all the people to your dorm in daylight. I’ve seen strawberry home decor all over my TikTok FYP, and this is an adorable way of jumping on that trend. I mean, how sweet is this print? Plus, the microfiber is anti-shed, meaning you won’t be forever vacuuming up pieces of fluff.
Size (ft.): 2.5 diameter
Made from: Cotton
Price: $34
Okay — this might say it’s a bath mat, but trust me, you can use it in your dorm room too. I’m super into the kitschy design, which is giving me retro realness. Pair it up with indoor plants to really bring the outside in. And, if you have the budget, you could always grab a couple of different colors, and dot them around your floor.
Size (ft.): H1.9 x L3
Made from: Polyester
Price: $29
Um, who invited Hannah Montana into the room? Oh yeah, I did. That little heart? The mixture of dark and light pink? You know she’d be rocking these. As well as placing this rug on the floor, you could also hang it up on the wall as a piece of wall art — talk about having the best of both worlds.
FAQs
What size rug to get for a dorm room?
Smaller rugs are best for dorm rugs, as you won’t have a lot of space to play with. For circle rugs go for 4ft diameters, and for rectangle rugs go for no bigger than ones with lengths of 6ft. If you can, try and find out your dorm measurements before you move in, so you don’t have to guesstimate.
What kind of rug is best for a dorm rug?
The best rugs for dorm rooms are ones that will fit in the room and will last you beyond your stay in dorms, so you get value for money. Also, look out for rugs that are easy to clean, such as ones made from cotton and polyester.
Where to buy dorm rugs from
- Amazon dorm room rugs
- At Home dorm room rugs
- Dormify dorm room rugs
- Etsy dorm room rugs
- Urban Outfitters dorm room rugs
- Target dorm room rugs
- Walmart dorm room rugs
How we chose these dorm room rugs
I looked through a variety of different sites, hand-picking a range of dorm rugs in different sizes and styles. Not only this, but I made sure none of them had below four-star ratings. Shoppers have genuinely bought these and loved having them in their homes. Oh, and of course I made sure they were cute AF.