The Dorm Design Trend You’ll Be Seeing All Over Campus This Fall

We've scoured markets and feeds to spot the standout looks shaping home style next year. From "Covecore" to bold colors, stripes, and DIY projects, see every trend we're calling in our full New/Next List.

We’re always looking for what’s next in the design world — and where better to look than to our newest cohort of tastemakers, Gen Z? Believe it or not, back-to-school season is officially here, so we set out to find out what trends are on the horizons (and the Pinterest boards) of dorm dwellers everywhere. We all know Gen Z likes to rewrite the rules, and their decor tastes are no exception. This season, they’re all about having their cake and eating it, too.

Until recently, the implication was that things cannot be both comfortable and cute. Just ask your grandparents about their plastic-covered couch. But Gen Z begs to differ. With the hectic energy of back-to-school season and the rapidly changing world outside their doors, college students are turning their dorm rooms into oases of coziness and calm, soft landing pads in which to unwind and feel safe — in style. We’re calling this trend “Lush & Plush.”

The “Lush & Plush” trend sees students going “overboard” with throw pillows and blankets, fluffy fabrics, and cloudlike comfortability. The hallmark of this trend is texture; texture-mixing is the new pattern mixing. Layering textures will completely level up your space, with faux furs, shag, oversized knits, and puffy quilted fabrics taking center stage. There’s no such thing as “enough” with this trend when it comes to blankets, pillows, and overall fluff-factor. Keeping the tone of the space relatively neutral maintains a calming vibe, though you can also incorporate an occasional pop of color for some added personality. 

This look is all about physical comfort, of course, but also emotional comfort. With the ever-rising popularity and normalization of “bed-rotting,” it’s time to attach a more positive connotation to the word. (Bed-rotting is a self-care trend that involves spending guilt-free hours in bed, “often with snacks or an electronic device, as a voluntary retreat from activity or stress,” according to Dictionary.com.) In other words: You should be able to bed rot in style. The idea here is to create a space that literally feels soft and cozy, but also feels calming — so you can enjoy those nights spent with just yourself, your pillows, and Netflix as much as you enjoy a night out with friends. 

Influencer and UCLA student Rachel Liang has incorporated some aspects of this trend into her dorm room already. When asked what inspired her comfy-chic style, she said, “I truly believe that your environment has a huge impact on your mood and mindset. I wanted to create a dorm space that felt cozy, calming, and personal — a reflection of everything I love. Especially in the chaos of [college] life, having a soft, comforting space to unwind in has made all the difference for me.” 

Urban Outfitters is fully on board with the trend, even creating a “Plush Haul” mobile dorm display as a part of their back-to-school event last month, when they wrapped an entire mobile dorm display in a puffy quilted throw blanket, and filled it practically to the brim with some of the cutest pillows I’ve ever seen. I love the idea of statement pillows for this trend. From cheeky embroidered pillows (that literally make a statement), to funky and eye-catching shapes, they’re like a more grown-up version of plushies. 

There is plenty of inspo out there for incorporating this look in real life. The excess of pillows, blankets, and over-the-top texture mixing are definitely hallmarks of the look. 

Whether you’re heading back to campus this fall yourself, have a student in your life, or are just looking to give your space a youthful makeover, this is the one trend we’re predicting will be all over your feeds this fall. We rounded up some of our favorite “lush and plush” finds below, so you can get a head start on your shopping this summer. From luxe throw blankets to shag rugs and overstuffed pillows, check them out below and start getting cozy for college.