8 Tips for Decorating your Dorm Room on a Dime

Ah!  The smell of freshly sharpened pencils and plastic wrapped textbooks is upon us.  College freshmeat; get ready for a whirlwind of a year.  Maybe you chose your childhood friend to room with or you went potluck.  Regardless of your bunkmate, you will soon be sharing a blank slate with her.  Ladies especially get giddy after breezing through Bed, Bath, and Beyond, eyeballing the mini-stainless fridge, coordinating desk, and comforter.  Adorning a room need not incur your father's wrath--be smart about outfitting and you can get a study-ready haven for less.

Know your limitations.  Have an accurate measure of the space you'll be living in and ask if the bed is a regular or extra long twin.  Measure all spaces precisely if you plan on buying any electronics or a desk.  Some schools prohibit the use of candles or halogen lamps--know before you buy.

Sheik storage.  If you're short on cash, buy milk crates and spray paint them a coordinating color for an attractive and cheap option.  Score cinder blocks and several 2"X4" wood planks from the home improvement store, spray paint them, and layer for bookshelves.  

Wall wonders.  Head to the thrift store to look for faux vintage tins or a large map for an old world feel.  Sarongs also make fun, cheap wall hangings for a bright beachy motif.  My personal favorite (especially if you have a bunk setup) are large bulb Christmas lights draped across the room.

Divide the space.  You may love your roommate, but at some point in the near future you will want some space to your own.  Depending on the dorm layout, you may be able to put up a curtained divider to preserve privacy.  

Check out Ikea.  If you are fortunate enough to live near one, it's definitely worth a visit for cheap and sheik design on a dime.  If not, the additional shipping costs are reasonable.  Prices can't be beat for all home products from futons and bedding to curtains and bath accessories.  Ikea has the best selection of dorm-like goodies to choose from for far less than traditional retailers.

Get a message board.  Don't buy a framed wipe board from the office products store.  Head to Home Depot or Lowe's and ask for them to cut a piece of shower board.  Hang it in a place that's easy to read so you can swap messages with your roommate.  Buy wipe board cleaner or use acetone to erase dark marks.  

Double duty items.  Rather than purchase another chair or bean bag for additional seating, get several throw pillows, large and small, to toss on the bed.  Guests can use the bed as a couch or lounge on the floor.  My favorite place for cheap pillows is Tuesday Morning.

Plan to organize.  Space is at a premium in 300 sq. feet.  Hike the bed on cement blocks if you need a few more inches of storage.  Use collapsible fabric boxes for an attractive, uniform look that won't cost a lot.  For a super tight budget, check out Craig's List swap or free category for plastic containers.  Invest in some type of closet organization to maximize space for your shoes and clothing.  If a store is going out of business, they often sell hooks and organizers at deep discounts.

Most importantly, keep in mind that you'll only inhabit the space for maybe eight months before moving on to another room or into an apartment.  Do your best to make it a comfortable space, but that freshman year will come to a close before you know it.