• Use color to add life to a dull dorm room.nachttisch image by Holger B. from Fotolia.com
  
  When you first walk into your new dorm room, odds are it will ooze the decorating charm of a dead slug. Chances are you will find white walls, institutional-looking beige carpet, and cheap wood veneer furniture. Make your walls something visitors will want to look at. Then, no one will look at the carpet.
  
  

Photo Collage

• Assemble photos that establish a mood for your room.travel milan italy image by anshuca from Fotolia.com
  
  Rather than use a standard dorm photo collage of people smiling directly at the camera, assemble a collection of photos that show the mood you want the room to have.Your theme could be a tropical paradise, vintage ski chalet or English cottage. You could buy frames at a dollar store and paint them a color you like. Hang photos at eye level.
  
  

Chalkboard

• Create a chalkboard wall for messages and reminders.tafel image by Andreas Siveras from Fotolia.com
  
  A chalkboard wall provides space for reminders about assignments and events, and for friends to post messages. If you are not allowed to paint the walls, cut a heavy-duty canvas mat to the size of your wall and cover it with one or more coats of chalkboard paint. Hang the mat and a small tote bag filled with chalk and wait for everyone to leave their mark.
  
  

Faux Window

• Your dream view could be a Tuscan countryside or the Big Apple.Tuscany image by Greg Peterson from Fotolia.com
  
  You can have an attractive view, even if your dorm room does not provide one. Hang a poster or large photo print that depicts a view you prefer. Place an old window frame on top of the print. Make sure there are no broken panes. Repaint the frame if the color is less than attractive. If the window frame has several small panes of glass, you could use a different photo in each compartment.