Settling into a dorm or apartment is probably the priority of new and returning college students. Here are some quick and easy ways to make your room a comfortable space to spend long nights of cramming or fun hang outs with friends.

BACK TO BASICS
Colors are important to any kind of room because they set different tones or themes. You should choose colors to adorn your dorm room that reflect you or your style. An easy way to do this is simply picking the right comforter – since the bed is probably the largest piece of furniture in the room, the different colors on the comforter immediately attract attention, whether they are strikingly bold or gentle pastels. Comforters often determine the colors for the rest of the room!

STORING IT UP
One of the biggest challenges to room-decorating for college students is the issue of space. However, if you learn to store efficiently — aka stack — then you’ll have plenty of room to store your belongings and decorate. Plastic crates and drawer carts are simple ways to keep many items in one place; those who loft their beds can use excess room underneath as storage space. Closet organizers, over-the-door hooks and plastic hooks (for holding laundry and various other items) are also extremely useful for space-saving.

WALL-TO-WALL
Now we get to the fun part! Like a canvas to a painter, walls are your playground: they are the best ways to express yourselves. While posters are the most common way to decorate, why stop with enlarged pictures of your favorite band, actor or sports team? Personalized frames, photos and calendars are other ways to further express your interests, personality and background.

SPICE UP THE “SMALL STUFF”
Sometimes it’s the “small stuff” that makes a room unique or gives it that additional “homey” touch. Magnets on small fridges add color, wallflowers provide sweet-smelling scents and dry-erase boards are fun communication devices…be creative!

FUN FESTIVITIES
You might think lights are only for Christmas, but why not keep them strung around your bed rails the entire year? Decorations for Halloween, Christmas and other holidays definitely enhance the mood of the season.

REMEMBER THE RULES
While it can be tons of fun customizing your room, the sky is not exactly the limit – it’s important to remember decorating guidelines. According to the Housing Handbook, Biola residents are allowed to use “poster putty” and three finishing nails for decorating purposes, but no additional wall-hanging materials are allowed (such as adhesive hangers or hooks). It’s important to express yourself through your decorations, but don’t get too crazy…the fee for any wall damages is minimum $100!

SAVE, SAVE, SAVE
If you are looking for cheap decorating supplies or need extra materials (for storing belongings), Target, Wal Mart, or Bed, Bath and Beyond might be the way to go. Also check out the Classifieds section on BUBBS or Craigslist for cheap local items.