Rachael Watson, Staff Writer

I don’t know about any of you, but when I first got my dorm assignment all I could think about was how I was going to decorate. I must have spent hours on Google and Pinterest looking for inspiration. Although there were plenty of suggestions, none of them were manageable on my small budget. I was forced to improvise, and this is what I found. There are four key elements to creating a top notch dorm room; furniture, wall decorations, lighting, and doors.

The dorm rooms here at SE come pre-furnished, mostly. And even though everyone has the same furniture, there is a way to make yours stand out without damaging it and racking up extra charges.

Washi tape is a type of crafting tape from Japan that feels almost like a masking tape. It is great for decorating in the dorm because it does not ruin furniture.

Next on the list is wall decoration, this is the big one. There are so many ways to brighten up your room using the walls. If you are a crafty, creative person try a few DIY art projects. If not, posters and pictures are great tools. Get creative and make a collage, or shape out of them. And if you want to class it up a bit, make your own frames for the photos and posters, maybe use washi tape or paper? Hint, hint.  Another great way to make use of wall space is by making your own fake headboard, simply search Pinterest or Google and follow the directions.

Following wall décor we have lighting, which in some instances can go hand in hand. Lighting can set the mood for the entire room. I would suggest investing in a couple lamps, maybe a floor and a desk lamp. Thrift stores and garage sales are great for these. Take a trip to the Goodwill on Main St. and see what you find.

Another super cool option is utilizing string lights. There are all kinds of really unique patterns and designs and with Christmas right around the corner, you can head over to Walmart and pick out some really cute ones for cheap.

Another important factor is how you decorate your door. Your door is what everyone else in your hall and your friends see right before they come talk. Decorating your door is a great way to create a sense of community throughout the dorm. There are several ways you can do this. A pretty basic one that you can find all throughout the dorms on campus is white boards. White boards are a fun way to communicate with others if they are not home, and it’s always brings a smile to someone’s face to see that someone left them a note. Nametags, doormats, and pictures are more cheap and easy ways to spruce up your door.

And finally, do not, under any circumstances, forget about the holidays! The holidays are a great time to add a little bit more color and life in your dorm. Decorate for Christmas with wall signs, Christmas lights, fake Christmas trees, jingle bells, and the list goes on and on. Christmas is also a great time to decorate your door, maybe even hang a stocking.