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Your college digs may be small, crowded or horribly plain, but it’s still your new home. If your living conditions aren’t up to par, never fear, there are ways to make your space a place you’ll want to spend your spare time.

The main reason I decided to pledge a sorority was to meet people. I
grew up in a small town and was attending a large university. I felt
like a very small fish in a very big pond. I thought it would be a good
way to make friends and get involved.

There are a lot of factors that make decorating difficult for most undergraduates - small budget, lack of time and not a lot of room. But some basic decorating concepts apply no matter what your budget, and can turn your living space into a fun niche that is all you!

Remember these three essential rules for in thrifty, yet stylish decorating:

• Paint: A little bit of paint can transform a random mix of mismatched items into a coordinated group. Don’t be afraid to paint anything from furniture to mirrors to picture frames.
• Fabrics: You can create anything out of fabrics; wall-hangings, bedspreads, curtains, or pillows! Purchase a bunch of discounted fabrics at your local craft store. Don’t let a lack of sewing skills turn you away. You can create a simple hem using iron on fabric-tape and folding the edges.
• Color: Finding items in a similar color scheme pulls a look together, and creates the mood. Whatever you choose, a vibrant pink or subtle earth-tones, stick with this color spectrum for furniture and accessories.

With these fundamentals, you can develop a five-part plan to make your room as creative as any interior designer’s:

1. Develop a theme: Your space will look planned and pulled together with a simple theme to unify your items. Get creative and come up with something that represents you; anything from a wild jungle theme to a more classic shabby-chic look can be done with a few unifying items.
2. Be fun: You’re not decorating your family home - this one is all about you. Go all out with wild colors and unique items. Get interesting items from your local thrift or discount store and make your space unusual!
3. Remember comfort: Although you’ll be spending a lot of time in class and out with friends, you’ll still pass plenty of hours studying or hanging out in your college space. Filling your place with things like giant floor pillows and cozy bedding make sure you will spend that time in comfort.
4. Create space: Any dorm room or apartment will likely be pretty small than the family home you’re used to. Make sure you have a lot of storage items, such as crates, clothing racks and bookshelves to keep yourself organized and avoid being cramped.
5. Include the floors and walls: Buy a giant, inexpensive rug or cover your walls with oversized art. If your budget is low and you don’t have much to hang, purchase oversized canvases at a craft store and spray paint them in colors that match your color scheme.

Don't forget your roomate!

Establish a good relationship with the person you’ll be living with for awhile by not barging in and taking over the room. These three ideas can help keep the peace:

• Brainstorm for ideas together. Your roomie might have some great ideas that you may not have considered.
• Work out coordinating themes. You can have a day theme and they can have night theme. Or you can merely agree on colors that will go well together.
• Compromise. Don’t throw a fit if they can’t see themselves living in your dream of a pink, cat-themed room. Work out something you can both agree on. After all, you’ll both be living there.