We can easily remember our college days and the excitement to have a place away from the “parentals.” Decorating a dorm room is a fun way to add personality in a blank space. It’s best to tackle decorating early on as exams, papers, and projects will soon dominate your life. Not sure where to start? Here are some decorating tips that will transform your dorm room into a stylish space.

Don’t Over Do It- Remember, dorms tend to be smaller quarters with very little free space. Too many accessories and oversized pieces will only make your room look cluttered.

Trim The Fat- The more open floor (and wall) space, the better. We cannot express how important it is to maximize your space without overdoing the decor. Love art? Choose one large sized piece for the wall vs. multiple posters. Perhaps you have too many photos? Use picture frames to create a single piece.

One (Cohesive) Design Is Better Than Two- Have you ever been in a dorm room where you could cut the design in half with a knife? Try and find some commonalities that can be used to create one unified space. Rugs, accent pillows, and curtains are great ways to join forces while showcasing good design.

“Double Duty” Furniture- Every piece in your space counts! When choosing furniture, the more multi-functional the better. A small bookcase can double as both a side table and store. Storage cubes are a quadruple threat as it can serve as an ottoman, coffee table, extra seating, and storage.

Storage, Storage, Storage- You will soon discover college dorms lack the closet space needed to accommodate our attire. Closet organizers and concealed storage units will catalog your attire without taking up extra space.

And always remember to have fun!