A home away from home sounds like the perfect get-away to many graduating high school seniors. Settling into dorms, and starting a new chapter at a new school can’t come soon enough for some students. One of the first steps of getting situated in new surroundings is to decorate the dorm room.

With the high expenses of attending college in the first place, dorm decorating seems to fall toward the end of the priority list; however, there are a few ways to keep your room and your wallet looking good at the same time.

The easiest thing to do is to start small with accessories. Some of the smallest touches can make the biggest difference in the total appearance. First off, a throw rug can be a big help by not only covering up tile floors, but also by aiding your color scheme. Another easy fix would be to add some inexpensive wall décor or mirrors. Also, another effortless way to personalize the room as well as decorate is to use picture frames to go along with the theme.

Along with looking good, it’s important for the room to stay organized as well. As the school year goes by, things can start getting a little messy; therefore, it’s a good idea to have some organization to keep everything in line. To keep the bed from becoming a laundry basket, it would probably be useful to get a hamper or laundry basket to keep clothes in. Along with that, closet and drawer space may be more confined than what’s expected, therefore canvas storage boxes and under-the-bed boxes may be a good place for out of season clothes and shoes. When it comes to school work, plastic storage containers, drawers and totes could end up being a smart purchase as well. Stackable shelves offer a place for things such as CDs, DVDs, or video games, and memo boards could be useful for posting reminders, calendars, or creative touches.

College is a place to gain independence, try new things and express yourself; a dorm room is the perfect place to start. Blank walls are a great opportunity to make your new living space reflect your personality without paying a pretty penny.