Eight Tips for Dorm Room Décor

1. Don’t do damage! - In one respect at least, dorm rooms are exactly like apartment rentals: in most cases you are not allowed to paint, remove window treatments, or modify any existing furniture. If you defy these rules you can be hit with a hefty bill at the end of your residency.

2. Creative solutions - dorm rooms are small, you can’t paint, you’re sharing space -- the list of negatives can be long. But coming up with creative solutions will allow you to make the most of you new home. Fabric panels make rich-looking wallpaper that can easily be tacked up and removed. Or, create a gallery feel with framed posters running the lengths of your walls.

3. Utilize space savers - many dorm rooms include the basic furniture you will need - beds, desks, and dressers - if your dorm comes with loft beds (that can be raised and lowered) consider raising the bed platform and placing your desk and dresser underneath -- this will free up floor space and give you more room to move about.

4. Express yourself - while dorms are a temporary situation, you will be there for one of the most important years of your life - make sure to use your favorite colors, display items that are significant to you, and make it feel like a home.

5. Make it study-friendly - college can be a ton of fun, but you are there to study and learn. Make sure that your dorm is a place that you can concentrate - Proper lighting, music, and a clean and organized workspace will ensure that you feel comfortable in your new living space.

6. Maintain your personal space - if you are sharing with a roommate, think about how important it is to you to have some personal space and privacy. Setting up desks so that they’re not facing each other or installing a privacy drape will ensure that you can study while your roommate sleeps, or vice versa.

7. Collaborate - Communication and collaboration are the most essential parts of the design business -- put heads together with your roommate and think about colors and styles you both like. Maybe you both brought blue comforters from home -- that can be enough to start a design theme.

8. Shop wise - spend money on a few decorative accents that will make your space more homey - whether it’s floor cushions, candles, or plants, accents are the things that pull a space together and create a sense.