It’s no surprise to anyone that it’s beginning to get (or already is) cold outside. Snow is falling, your car is covered in ice, and your walk to class is brutal on some days. Whether you’re a huge fan of the cold winter weather or you would rather be on a beach somewhere (who wouldn’t), chances are your dorm room is the last place you want to be feeling the winter weather. And if you’ve ever lived in a dorm before you know how cold they can get and how they can sometimes seem like a little bit of a buzzkill when you’re trying to stay positive in the colder months. 

Having a comfy and welcoming dorm room is crucial to fighting the homesick blues, especially when it gets colder and all you can sometimes think about is eating your mom’s homemade soup while you curl up with a fuzzy blanket. An easy way to warm up your dorm room is by incorporating rugs. Rugs have a way of making any space feel cozy, even on the coldest winter day. So if you’re looking for a way to keep your room cozy all winter long, then here are some tips to get you started! 

Sink your feet into coziness 

The most obvious way to up your cozy game this winter? Soft rugs. In this case, the fluffier the better. If ever given the option a person always reaches for the softer blanket. So why not do the same with rugs? If you’re wanting to make your dorm room cozy and comfy, fill the space with the softest rugs you can find. Shag rugs are a good type of rug to look for in this instance, because they’re plush and soft!

Shag rugs are a great option when you’re looking for a soft rug to bring some warmth into your room! The bigger the rug the better, especially if your dorm room has cold tiled flooring. Dorm room flooring can be brutal to put your feet on first thing in the morning, so having a soft rug beside your bed makes waking up that much easier. You can go for a larger area rug or, if your room is small and you don’t want to make it seem smaller, you can opt for a throw rug beside your bed. 

If you choose to go with a smaller throw rug by your bed, try to match a rug in the same spot on your roommate’s side. By having a rug by both your beds, this will not only help keep your feet warm in the mornings, but it will also add an atmosphere of coziness to both sides of the room. Having the balance on both sides creates a fuller look and will provide more warmth with the more floor you cover! 

Layer on the softness

We’ve all layered our fashion choices at one point in our lives. Whether we did it with our leggings and knee high socks in grade school, or our Aeropostale shirts and tank tops. So why not do it with our dorm room rugs? Layering multiple rugs can not only add warmth to your dorm room, but it can also add depth to your room to create a cozier atmosphere. 

One way to layer your rugs is to get a larger area rug that has minimal cushion as a base layer. You can pick any style rug you want, but a thinner rug will allow your layered rug to sit flat on top of it. The base layer can be any pattern or color you want. You can also layer two fluffier rugs on top of each other if you’re looking to bring a little extra coziness to your space!

The rug on top of the base layer rug can be anything you want, and any size. It’s your room, so be as creative as you want. A nice way to layer another rug on top would be to get a rug with more cushion. Having a plush rug as the top layer will provide that soft aspect you’re looking for if you want your room to have a cozy feel. A softer top layer rug will also contrast nicely with the bottom, thinner rug. If your base layer is a patterned rug, maybe consider making the top rug a solid color that will bring out a color in your larger rug. 

If you’re layering rugs and you decide you want the base rug to be a solid color, try to opt for more patterned rugs to layer on top. This will tie all of the colors together nicely and create depth! You don’t have to stop at one either. You can have a large area rug on the bottom, and then a rug on top beside both yours and your roommate’s beds. This will create a cozier environment no matter the weather outside! 

Patterns for days

Let’s face it; it’s hard to find a rug that’s not soft and cozy. So let’s take it to the next level. If you want to make your space seem even cozier and warm in the winter, then look for rugs that are both soft and have a pattern to them. It’s no secret that patterns tend to make spaces seem smaller than they are. If your dorm room already feels too tiny for you, then this might not be the best choice. However, if you’re looking to fill some of the space in your room without actually filling it then a patterned rug might be the perfect choice! 

The best thing about patterned rugs is that you can really express your inner creativity. The more intricate the pattern, the better. However, if you’re not a fan of patterns but are looking to try something new, opt for a larger patterned rug. The larger pattern might not have as big of an effect in creating a smaller, cozier vibe but it will still keep you warm and make your room homey! If you choose a larger pattern, picking a rug with a little more thickness can add to the comfy aesthetic! 

 Another fun way to use patterns to make your dorm room cozier is to incorporate different patterned rugs. Keeping within the same color family will help your rugs look cohesive, even if they have different patterns. This is an especially good option if you and your roommate have different aesthetics for your dorm decor. Even if you have two completely different rugs, as long as they match your individual themes your room will feel warm and welcoming! And the best part is it will be customized to you and your roommate!

Go big or go home

It might seem obvious, but one of the best ways to create a cozier atmosphere in your dorm room is to cover up what is most likely a cold, hard floor. In this case, the bigger and fluffier rug the better! Getting a large area rug that covers most of the floor in your dorm room is an easy fix to create a warm and welcoming place everyone will want to hangout in! Giving the illusion of carpet, your room will instantly be transformed into a cozier space!

If you’re looking for something a little more low maintenance that might be easier to clean but you still want that cozy feel of having carpet, opt for an area rug that isn’t so plush. Shag rugs can sometimes be difficult to clean spills off of, not to mention the pain of stepping on that earring you lost a month ago and has been hiding in your rug. We’ve all been there. So if you’re looking for something with a little less fluff, try a thinner rug or an all purpose carpet. They come in many sizes, and will still give your room that cozy feel without the fuss. 

Another benefit to getting a larger rug is that you can combine this technique with a layered style. Having a larger rug in your room will give the illusion of carpet and adding smaller rugs on top can enhance the feeling of warmth and comfort. Not to mention, if you and your roommate have different styles this could be a great method for you! You can get a larger area rug for the room, and choose your own rugs to have by your beds that speak to your style!

Cozy in color

Keeping your dorm room warm and comfy through the winter isn’t just about how fluffy your rugs are. If you’re looking to really up your cozy game, look at some colored rugs. Snow can be pretty and all, but let’s face it. Sometimes winter can get a bit dreary. A simple fix to help combat the lack of sunshine, flowers, and basically everything spring is to bring the colors to your dorm room. Color can make any place more welcoming and happy, so bring that idea to your dorm room through your rugs!

If you’re not a fan of that in your face color tactic, don’t worry! You can still incorporate color into your room without just buying every rainbow rug you see. An easy way to incorporate color for a happy, warm environment is to look for a rug with color that’s not too overpowering. This can mean either getting a rug with muted colors, or buying a rug that has colorful accents! The more color, the more warmth it’ll create in your space!

Having a rug with colorful detailing can really bring your room to life! Having a rug with multiple colors also offers you the ability to be creative with the rest of your room design. The more colors the rug has, the more you can match it with. The more colors the better as well when you’re wanting to brighten up your room and create that perfect spring feel, even if it’s a blizzard outside!

Whatever way you decide to incorporate rugs into your room, just remember one thing. Let the rug you pick speak to your own personal style and creativity. Rugs can instantly make a space feel cozier and more like home so any rug you pick will be great! Whether you’re into large patterns, plush or thin rugs, or you love the look of smaller rugs, there’s a type of rug for every style! 

When choosing the rug you want, remember to just go with what feels right to you! Colder days are upon us and everyone can use a little extra warmth in their room, especially their room away from home! Use these tips, and your room will be the cozy palace of your dreams even if the weather outside doesn’t agree!