Moving away from the comforts of home and into a tiny dormitory room at college may seem like the biggest downside to college life. You're so excited about being on your own, meeting new people, learning new things, and setting your own rules. But you can't take everything you own with you to your college dorm because there just isn't that much room. And if you are in a double or a triple, you'll be sharing your space with that many more people.

But there are some great ways to make the most of a small space. Here are ten specific ways to really spice up your dorm room and make it so much more special and comfortable.

1. Add some color

While you probably won't be allowed to paint the bland super-white walls in your room, you can still play around by adding splashes of color to most of the surfaces in your room. Start by getting colorful and plush bedding. Go for bright reds or pinks, maybe even a yellow bedspread. You'll want something that won't get dirty very easily, but don't be shy and stick with a plain navy blue bedspread or blanket. Also, if you have a private bathroom, add some color to the blandness of the room with a funky shower curtain. Just by adding one piece of vivid color to a room you can change the entire attitude from bland to spicy.

2. Buy lots of pillows

Pillows can add a sense of comfort to your dorm room. Accent pillows on your bed and couch (if you are lucky enough to have a common room) can follow rule number one by adding colorful splashes to the room. And whether you are a boy or a girl, opt for a body pillow from Target or Bed Bath and Beyond for your bed. If your bed is up against the wall, lay the pillow along the wall side of the bed, creating a comfortable seating area for any visitors. You can also take the body pillow and throw it on the floor if you need extra seats for a movie night or perhaps some late-night studying.

3. Frame your posters

Everyone will be decorating their walls with posters, but go the extra step and hang up your posters in frames. They don't need to be expensive; you can pick up discount frames from A.C. Moore or Michaels as well as Kmart or Walmart. For about $15, you can have a really nice piece of art on your wall, giving your room a finished and sophisticated look. Plus you won't leave tons of tiny tack holes in the wall from all the pushpins people use to hang up their posters. And at the end of the year you can plug up any nail holes with toothpaste quite easily.

4. Put up curtains

Curtains are a really easy way to make a dorm room feel like home. If you're a guy, your mom may suggest putting up some curtains on move-in day. Take her up on the offer and let her put up some nice solid-colored pieces of fabric. Curtains will make any girl that you bring back to your room instantly comfortable because it shows you made a serious effort in the appearance of your room. Girls will also like the idea of hanging curtains in their own rooms, but be sure to avoid anything too lacy or too pink. You're growing up, so try to find something at Ikea that matches a more adult style rather than a "girly" style.

5. Hang a bulletin board on the wall

Bulletin boards are so inexpensive, and you can do so much with them. You can post pictures of your friends from high school or your family members. Or you can hang pictures of your new college friends and your roommate. You can also put up postcards from your world travels or keep a calendar so you can keep track of all the parties around campus.

6. Mix textbooks with fun books

Just because you are at college, it doesn't mean you can't still read for fun. While you might have less time to tackle some extracurricular reading because your Literature Class has you reading every novel Dickens ever wrote over the course of three months, you should still bring a few of your favorite books into your dorm room. They will make you feel comfortable and will make you far more interesting to anyone who looks at your bookshelf. To see World War Z by Max Brooks mixed in with your Psychology 101 textbook will impress a lot of people. But more so, if you have a favorite book or books, bring them with you so you can revisit them anytime you feel the need.

7. Throw down an area rug

You can pick up a small but fun area rug for your dormitory bedroom or common room at Bed Bath and Beyond for about $50. While it sounds like a lot of money, if you and your roommate chip in it should cost about $10-$25 each, depending on the size of your suite. No one wants to walk on cold white linoleum floors in the winter. But get a cheap rug in case things get spilled on it. You are getting the rug for comfort purposes, so get something you won't worry about.

8. Holiday lights or lava lamps can really set the mood

A lot of schools don't allow holiday lights to be put up because they are a fire hazard, but if your school doesn't have a rule about it, definitely line your windows with white or colored lights. It can really create a fun and mellow mood, when you need to take a break fro studying or want to have a romantic night with your boyfriend or girlfriend. If the holiday lights are a no-no in your school, opt for a lava lamp instead.

9. Buy fresh flowers once a week

If you are a boy, then I highly doubt you'll be buying fresh flowers (except maybe for your new college girlfriend, which is a very sweet gesture that's never gone out of style). However, there is something really special about fresh flowers and how they really warm up a room while also making it smell good. If you go to your local supermarket once a week, just add a small bouquet of flowers for about $7 into your shopping cart. They'll remind you of home and really be a mature but fun addition to your dorm room.

10. Keep the room clean

It's true that this tenth and final way to really spruce up your room sounds lame, but a clean room will appear larger and more inviting to guests. Make your bed every single morning; it's just a twin bed with a few sheets so it won't take you more than three minutes if you do it everyday. Don't leave clothes lying around everywhere; just put things away or in the hamper. That way when people come over to visit you in your awesome dorm room, there will be lots of places for them to sit down.

Source : Evangel.edu