Terrariums make for the most adorable dorm décor and are a fun DIY that you can plant and care for throughout the year. If you’re looking for some inspiration to get you started on your own then look no further. We’ve found some of the cutest, most creative terrariums out there.
Starting simple usually means that you end up with something boring, but even a basic terrarium can look really impressive. Stick to cacti and succulents for a low maintenance terrarium and use small pebbles to create a desert effect. A good tip is to also use plants of varying height to give it some depth and make it look natural.
Adding height and depth isn’t just accomplished by different sized plants, you can also use pieces of wood or rock to create more texture. If you can get ahold of it, drift wood is much smoother and looks more fluid than regular wood and will create the effect that you see below. It’s also great because the peaks and dips make it look like a miniature mountain range in the bowl, giving a beautiful rainforest look.
Often the glass structure that you build your terrarium in can be just as beautiful as the plants inside so why not go for something a little less obvious than a plain glass bowl. This terrarium, made of tonnes of glass triangles is the perfect example. Despite its small size, it looks quirky and the addition of small purple pebbles makes it even more eye catching.
If you like the more unique styles of terrarium, this pyramid is totally gorgeous and perfect for taller cacti. It’s made even more pretty by the delicate wire fairy lights bundled inside that light up the plants. We’re guessing this terrarium looks most magical at night time but, even in daylight, the added sparkles give it a whimsical feel.
Fairy lights are just one way that you can make your terrarium brighter. Some come with lights built in, like these night lights. You could use these as normal decorations or even a lamp for your dorm room. During daytime you can simply turn the light off and it looks like a totally normal terrarium.
At the other end of the scale there are totally traditional terrariums that are much more ornate and old fashioned. If you are after a more vintage look then why not go for one of these? Not only are they beautiful but they are much larger, big enough to hold bonsai trees if you are really into plants. Though one this large is more expensive than something small, if you can afford to invest in something special then these are perfect.
When it comes to more ornate terrariums, birdcage designs are absolutely gorgeous. Another larger design that would take your dorm room to the next level, these terrariums take the look of a vintage birdcage and are perfect for bigger plants. You could of course look for a smaller version for a more budget friendly option or get a regular terrarium and find bird decorations to create the bird cage effect.
Terrariums don’t have to be made for purpose, you can use a bunch of things to make one that’s more unique. Glass lanterns are a great way to create a vintage look, you just need to put a small pot inside to hold the succulents and other plants of your choice. This super cute lantern terrarium also uses fairy lights to add to the whimsical look and overall it just looks magical. The light green paint is also very complimentary to the plants and shows that terrariums don’t just have to be plain glass and metal.
Making bottle terrariums is a great place to start if you want to DIY on a budget. Just hang on to and clean some used bottles (they don’t have to be as perfect as the ones below, and fill them with layers of soil and pebbles. Once you’ve got it about a third full, gently drop in a succulent. You’ll have to start with a small one and let it grow bigger over time within the bottle. If you’re struggling to position it, use something long like a chopstick to push it into place.
Though these aren’t technically terrariums, we just couldn’t leave them off of the list. They are a super cute way to keep succulents and a really cheap DIY. Simply glue a magnet onto the back of an old bottle cork, dig a little hole into the top and put in a small succulent. Though with small amounts of water the succulents can survive in this way, you could always use faux succulents if you prefer.
Terrariums are usually placed on a shelf or desk but, if you’re allowed to attach things to your dorm room walls then these funky circular designs are perfect. Not only do they cut right through the layers of multicoloured pebbles but they work well as a colourful set, making for really cool wall art.
When it comes to playing with colour, layering your sand can create a really cool effect. Of course you’ll need to get your hands on coloured sand but that is the most complicated part. When you’ve got ahold of some all you need to do is pour one colour in at a time and it’s done. If you want to make it even more interesting you can dip a pencil into the sand right next to the glass and it will create small curves in the pattern.
It doesn’t just have to be the sand that adds colour. This beautiful terrarium is the perfect example of well chosen plants. Succulents are usually a pale green colour but by incorporating warmer tones your terrarium will have more variety and the extra pop of colour looks truly great.
Plenty of terrariums contain small figurines to make the tiny plants look like a large forest. Some even build up a scene like this that fans of Studio Ghibli are bound to recognise. It doesn’t just have to be a movie scene though. You can get creative in whatever way you like.
If you want to display your terrariums in a particularly artistic way then why not hang them up. You’ll need to make sure you do this in a space where they won’t be disturbed but, if you have a free wall, then give it a go. It will require you to buy specific glass hangings but if you can then it is definitely worth it.
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