You have spent a fortune on tuition and have finally nailed down the perfect class schedule, but even if you have the best roommate in the world a dorm room that reflects your unique style is a pre-requisite for a great living on campus. When all of the residence hall rooms look the same you can make yours stand out without breaking the bank by spotlighting a collection that is uniquely you. Talking to your rommie first about which walls you can have all to yourself is a must, but after you have those blank slates divided up it is time to get creative. Here are a couple of tips on how to infuse killer style into your dorm room without breaking the bank.

For The Wanderlusty – Did you start amassing postcards from friends or trips you have taken? Search through the furthest reaches of the basement and attic to try to and find the oldest world map you can (think huge poster sized), or pick one up from a local thrift store. Use the map as a backdrop to hang your favorite post cards on, and don’t forget to add push pins to mark where you have been and where you want to go. You can also add your favorite vacation snapshots to the map to make your own masterpiece.

* TIP: Use sticky-tack so you can change, rearrange and add postcards and pictures as you please and as you roam.
* Complete The Look: Pick out bedding and accessories with a travel theme using animals prints or destination themes, like the Paris Tres Chic Bedding Collection that features funky colors and Parisian themed sketches.

Paris Bedding Collection

For the Sentimental Type – Are you hoarding a shoebox full of snapshots and wanting to bring a piece of home to campus? Pick up a box of brightly colored or funky shaped push-pins, a ball of twine or ribbon and a bag of clothes pins to make your own picture wall. Include favorite snapshots of friends and family and any artistic snapshots you may want to include. First, tie one end of the twine or ribbon to a push pin and stick it in the top, left-corner of a blank wall, then string the it back and forth across the wall, wrapping it around the other push pins as you go. Tie the other end of the twine/ribbon on a push pin in the bottom, right-hand corner of the wall, and then use the clothes pins to hang your pictures. Voila! Instant memory wall.

* TIP: You could go back and forth in straight lines, like they did in this DIY picture project, or stagger the pushpinsat different heights and distances before wrapping the twine or ribbon to create boxes and diagonal lines – get creative!
* Complete the Look: Find bedding and accessories that feature your initials to make it a room of your own. To add an extra personal touch to your memory wall you could even place your initial in the center of the wall before wrapping the twine for your pictures, use a wall sticky or the Chic Royal Initial Banner.

Chic Royal Banner

Your budget doesn’t have to leave your dorm room stale; start with a great collection, then throw in a pinch of imagination and your room will look like a million bucks.