Dorm decorating without breaking the bank

For most resident college students, the dorm functions as bedroom, study, hang out, and center of life. So, aesthetically, it should not reflect a prison cell.

Decorating your space can make you feel at home and can create an inviting area for new friends. And it doesn't have to be expensive. Since college students are basically broke, decorating should not take away from the budget for books, tuition, and meals. Here are some simple ways to jazz up your space while still being aware of the cost.

- Color scheme is first and foremost. The base color can derive from your comforter, accented with throw pillows. Matching sheets, towels, rugs, lamps, bins, and accessories are an easy way to keep the necessities for your room functional and fashionable. Many department stores have established base themes, making it easy to buy in one shot, with colors that go well with items from different stores.

-Cleaning products such as Febreze and Lysol are your friends. With a little cleaning, your nice-smelling room will be more inviting. And choosing darker rugs can show less dirt.

-Extra seats such as the old-fashioned bean bag chairs would be useful. Also trendy this year are saucer chairs. Freshman Sara Cosgrove said they are "comfy and fold flat, so if you want to get rid of them you can just shove them somewhere."

-Organization is key to having an appealing, clutter-free thinking zone. A solution is plastic storage bins for under the bed. The biggest variety and best prices were available locally at Target. Other cheap finds include milk crates and wire box shelving.

-Most importantly, think outside the box. When school shopping, Cosgrove said she "waited for stuff to go on sale and shopped around." Ross Dress for Less had the cheapest bedding, Office Max the cheapest lamps and rugs, and the Bon Ton had sheets and towels on sale. Thrift stores always have unique finds.

-Wall art is a must. Hanging up posters, pictures, tapestries, and other items make a large difference fast. There are corkboards dry erase boards, chalkboards, and French memo boards. To help personalize her room, Maria Scavo said, "I took pieces from my room to make my dorm feel more like home."

Personalize your area, but also remember that you share it with another person or people, so it is important your roommate's voice is not overshadowed by your designs. Try picking one color and both branching from there. Make those items that already match a common theme or color, and build off that. Have fun with it and make sure it reflects you.