Nesting With Grace

by Brooke Christen

How We Made a Dorm Suite Feel Like Home

September 5, 2026

After decorating Ella and Nyxon’s individual rooms, we turned our attention to the spaces they would share. We wanted the living room, kitchen, hallway and vanity area to feel just as cozy and personal as their bedrooms. We brought quite a few things from home, mixed in pieces I’ve collected over the years and found renter-friendly ways to add color and softness. The finished space feels more like a tiny apartment than a basic dorm suite!

Creating a Home Away From Home

We definitely brought more than the dorm-room basics, but every little detail helped turn the girls’ shared suite into a place that feels warm, comfortable and personal. Most importantly, it now feels like a place where Ella and Nyxon can relax, make meals, invite friends over and enjoy living together.

Ella’s Dorm Bedroom-

If you missed it, get all the details to Ella’s dorm bedroom HERE. A cozy, colorful space filled with layered bedding, soft lighting and sweet personal details.

And all the details of her roommates Nyxon’s bedroom HERE! We used many of the same cozy ideas in a different color palette to create a room that feels completely her own.

A Cozy Little Living Room

We started the living room with two white and blue striped chairs (similar). They add pattern and give the girls a comfortable place to sit without taking up too much space. Ottomans for extra comfort and charm. A large plant added some life and color, while a big wall tapestry I had for a few years (similar tapestry) helped fill the empty wall and made the whole room feel warmer.

We brought in a TV console, then used a tension rod to hang curtains and soften the room without making permanent changes. Lighting always makes such a difference, so we hung a large jute lantern overhead.

We also used a little tea cart as a side table and topped it with a lamp, diffuser and speaker. It’s both cute and practical and keeps everything they use together in one spot.

Adding Personality to the Kitchen

We had so much fun with the kitchen! It’s a small space, but adding color, cozy lighting and a few favorite pieces from home gave it so much personality.

Ella decided that all of my pink Smeg appliances needed to go to college with her! We brought along the mixer, blender and electric kettle, and they add the cutest pop of pink to the kitchen. We also installed mug hooks underneath the cabinet so the girls could hang their mugs without using valuable cabinet space. Our favorite air fryer (she’s made pumpkin cookies already) and a new ice maker!

A small rattan lamp on the counter and a hanging paper lantern above the sink add such a warm glow at night. The kitchen feels extra cozy when they can leave the harsh overhead lights off!

Above the sink, we hung leftover tile pieces from our fireplace project and added a painted blue shelf above them to hold cups and a few pretty kitchen items. And her own Walter water filter (code GRACE for 15% off).

I also brought in artwork I’ve collected over the years and added the sweetest scalloped green rug. Mixing those collected pieces with the colorful appliances made the kitchen feel much more personal and lived-in.

A Tiny Place to Sit and Eat

We brought a little bistro table from home to give the girls a designated place to sit, eat or work on something together. Above the bistro table, we hung two bulletin boards where the girls can leave notes for each other, display photos and keep important information where they’ll both see it.

It doesn’t take up much room, but it makes the kitchen feel more complete and gives them a spot to enjoy a meal that isn’t on the couch or in their bedrooms. In a small dorm suite, every piece needs to earn its space, and this little table was perfect.

Making the Hallway Useful

Even the hallway got a few special touches! We hung artwork along the walls to carry the color and personality through the entire suite. Near the front door, we added an accordion hook rack to hold bags, jackets and other things the girls need to grab on their way out.

The shared vanity is another area that needed to be both cute and functional. We added a long blue checkered runner across the counter to bring in color and make the basic vanity feel a little more special. Inside the hall closet, we hung my Nesting with Grace curtains to conceal the storage and any everyday messes.

Creating a Home Away From Home

Ella’s Dorm Bedroo m

Nyxon Dorm Bedroom

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