Dorm Decorating on the Cheap

You may have the perfect image in your head of what you want your dorm room to look like. Maybe it’s just like last year, maybe it’s a revamped version, or maybe it’s something completely different (to better facilitate turning over a new leaf, of course!). Whatever you choose, the updates don’t need to be expensive. Below we’ve found some great ways to give that dorm room a boost… on the cheap.

What

Pom-poms

How?

Pom-poms are a great choice for the stylish and crafty: they aren’t too expensive, they are easy enough to affix to… just about everything, and they come in tons of colors. Oh, and don’t forget about the trendy part, too -- you may be stringing these to more than your dorm room curtains. And a hint: try Michaels!

What

Cheap Photo Frames

How?

Get yourself to a site like Shutterfly, which features amazing discounts and lets you customize up the wazoo. Forget having to scrape together the cash for frames, and struggling with printing: you can send your pics to CVS via the app or use Shutterfly for customized frames and prints. Just a hint: you may want to spring for expedited shipping.

What

Bedspreads and Throws

How?

So maybe, just maybe, a well-meaning relative gifted you an all-white comforter set that’s not exactly the height of dorm-room style. It’s serviceable, it’s warm, and maybe you even feel guilty for not loving it because it’s not patterned like the fantastic ones Instagrammed from L.A. to New York. Well -- there’ still hope! Stop by places like Marshall’s and Sears online and order yourself a couple duvet covers, a bedspread, or a throw, and get matching pillowcases, too.

What

Storage Units

How?

Part of the reason why dorm rooms can get so ugly is due to their miniscule size. Storage is an issue, and everything starts to get out of hand as you struggle to organize. Don’t let that happen! Get yourself to Target, Walmart, or The Container Store after taking measurements of your dorm room’s shelves and closets, and get everything in its place. And you get bonus points for complementing your decor with a well-thought-out color scheme.

What

Original Art

How?

Get hunting, or make it yourself. The first step is to head to a thrift shop and check out the home decor section, which will give you tons of options. We know you can find original oils, for example, in addition to all those fun prints that other people with excellent taste have donated. Take advantage and get one piece, and don’t let those cinder-block walls ruin your fun, either -- you can get a small stand at an art supply store or simply prop your art on top of the mini-fridge.

Happy Shopping!