How To Make The Most Of Your 10×10 Dorm Room

Arriving at college is mayhem. You’re meeting millions of people, trying to figure out the campus map, and mentally calculating what you could probably afford (like a new It bag) if you hadn't spent all your money on textbooks. You probably won’t be clocking in much time in your dorm room, so the fact that it’s cramped, dreary, musty, and lifeless won’t register until you’ve finally settled in.

That’s why it’s time to kick into decorator mode. Now. Do some spruce-up shopping for your space before your homesick blues set in (we suspect right before Thanksgiving break), so you can enjoy everything your tiny nook has to offer from the start. Items that are bright and full of life — like hard-to-kill plants and festive pillows — will create a happy space for studying and pizza parties. And, hint: You’re twice as likely to love your spot if you contact your future roommate and split the cost on making the most of your dorm room.