FOCAL POINT STYLING: Dorm Decor Inspiration From Back To School Denim Fashions

Whenever I think of back to school shopping, I immediately think of denim and right now, it's not too soon to be thinking of back to school shopping for your next dorm diggs. Late last August, I had collaborated with nine other design bloggers and we shared our dorm decor tips (You can link to them and read my tips and tricks at DORM DECOR: Planning Your Residence Hall Space.) With some schools starting school in early August, July is actually a great time to take advantage of extra savings from stores (like an extra 20% off your purchase Big Lots held yesterday) July is also a good time to stock up on other back to school basics (sheets & towels). Besides getting all the necessities (an iron, a mini fridge and extension cords) take a little time to plan out your dorm decor style. This year, as an alternative to the saturated brights and zebra prints, go for something different for your Dorm Diggs: Mix your love of denim with a pop of leopard. For storage, go for baskets and ottomans that can perform double duty: Storage ottomans can hold extra blankets plus be a comfortable foot rest, an extra seat for a friend or add a tray and an ottoman becomes a tabletop to hold your (non-alcoholic) beverage. Replace a single level open desk with vertical storage: a tall cabinet with doors and shelves can become an closet extension to store & display your stacks of denim. Mix your denim duds with wicker & wire baskets gathering necessities like the iron, toiletries or extension cords.(multipurpose your iron to melt a grill cheese or heat up yesterdays pizza!)

Merge & mix your fashion & decor for your next dorm diggs:

Your favorite blue & white stripe top can translated into a pillow. Add a pop of leopard just like an accessory: but don't over-do: just pick one or two items (at most) like an area rug or make your own leopard pillow covers from fabric you can pick up at a store like JoAnns.

For furniture finishes, go vintage: Think rustic & raw woods - weathered and worn. For sheets, back to school season is a good time to find the extra long twin sheets in a soft jersey (just like your favorite tee!) Pinterest can have a plethora of ideas for denim DIY projects -- from rugs to pillows to cushion covers for a chair. Shopping thrift you'll probably come by all the denim you'll need for your DIY projects, plus maybe even a few finds for your wardrobe - like a denim shirt you can dip in bleach to ombre or a cool new denim jacket to layer up with in the fall.

Splurge on a denim stripe euro pillow by Dash & Albert available at Layla Grayce. If you sign up for their email specials, you can get a coupon to save $25 off your purchase.

Online retailer House To Home has leopard toss pillows for only $34.99

On Trend - Dark Denim featured at Macy's

Besides fashion inspiration...

Here are a few other items and tips to layer into your dorm decor...

Denim blue finds at Big Lots - Bowls are great to catch keys, rings, or hoops.

Add color to blank walls by making your own wall art.

Big Lots has several sizes of blank canvas available.

Make your own push-pin wall art...

Big Lots also has a GREAT 4x6 denim rag rug for only $20!

Anchor your dorm diggs with an area rug like this leopard rug from Martha Stewart...

Shop thrift for denim DIY projects and wardrobe updates.

Get inspired by a denim pillow and make your own patchwork pillow covers from denim pockets...

Utilize corner space with stackable wicker storage trunks...

Just as comforting as your favorite tee shirt, so too can be some jersey sheets on sale at PBTeen...

Splurge at Zinc Door or make your own message center by painting an old globe with chalkboard paint.

Create your own unique suitcase drawers side table from collected vintage suitcases...

Create the look of a denim ombre shirt from a DIY zip tie lamp...

Replace a single level open desk with plenty of vertical storage by making a stylish rustic bookshelf...

For additional dorm decor tricks & tips, check out some of my Pinterest boards...

JEWELRY ORGANIZING

DORM DECOR

DOSE OF DENIM

With a little pinspiration, planning, thrifting and DIY now, you'll have the most stylish dorm diggs you can create yourself inspired from home decor & fashion trends...