Decorating Your Dorm Room on the Cheap

Are you ready for the fall semester move-in day? It’s right around the corner so you better get that party started! But how can you get excited at the thought of another bland and boring dorm room?

Don’t fret—even the ugliest dorm room on the planet can be transformed into something hip and stylish with a few cheap designer fixes. Whether you’re a complete newbie or gearing up for your senior year these awesome decorating ideas will definitely brighten your space and make your dorm mates totally jealous.

You obviously want your bed to be the focal point of the room simply because it's the single largest piece of furniture in the space. Have fun with your bedding. Buy a couple of cheap and colorful bed-in-a-bag sets and do a mix and match thing.

Create several distinct looks by using different combinations of separate coordinated bedding pieces. Don’t forget comfort. If you're going to splurge, make sure you spend a bit more on bed pillows and sheets.

Find an inexpensive close-out coffee table art book from your local bookseller. Remove the pages and frame them to create a sophisticated gallery wall.

If you don't want to damage the dorm walls purchase removable decals to give it a stylish look. These fashion forward decals will make your room the coolest one on the residence floor.

Another idea is to display your signature monogram on the wall above your bed. Big box craft stores have inexpensive, large wooden letters that can be painted or decoupaged.

Keeping desk clutter to a minimum will up the style quotient in your dorm room. Keep overflow items and files in a rolling cart that fits neatly beside or under your desk. Corral small items like pens, pencils, USB flash drives, tape, clips, scissors and rulers in small plastic bins on your desktop or hanging wall containers to keep them within easy reach.

Proper lighting for study and computer work is critical. Chances are your dorm room comes with a flush-mounted ceiling fixture. Add a task light to your desk, a wall sconce or floor lamp for reading in bed. Don't forget to string twinkle lights along the wall to add personality and impart a subtle warm glow.

Installing curtain rods is most likely a no-no but that shouldn’t stop you from adorning the windows with DIY curtains. Use dyed canvas drop cloths to block light or a few yards of gauzy cotton will work wonders to visually soften the window frames.

Either way, fabric dresses up the space and makes it feel more homey, comforting and welcoming. Hang them with a tension rod inside the window frame or tack them above with upholstery tacks or finishing nails and tie them back during the day with pretty ribbons. When you move out, simply fill in the tiny holes with spackle.

Hit up your local home improvement center or discount store for an area rug to counteract that cold tile floor. Look for back-to-college bins filled with special purchase area rugs They're much cheaper than regular stock and special order rugs. You'll definitely appreciate its warmth and softness underfoot. Choose one that coordinates with your bedding, artwork and window treatments.

If you have enough natural light in the room live plants add vitality to your dorm room. Plants make you feel good, create calm and help purify the air. Right now terrariums are hot and take up very little space and require minimal maintenance. If you have a totally brown thumb consider growing air plants that don’t need any soil and minimal water.

1. Personalize the room with your favorite decorative accessories.
2. Try to coordinate the room with your roommate.
3. Don't forget to bring your desk light and create soft lighting.
4. Make your bed into your very own sanctuary.
5. Use removable wall decals to brighten up those bland walls.
6. Add lifts to the bed legs to create extra storage space underneath.
7. Keep the clutter at bay by purchasing organizational items.
8. Bring in multipurpose furniture like a storage ottoman.
9. Make your dorm room your home away from home.