Speak to your hall's resident assistant and rule out what items you cannot have in your dorm room before you begin planning. That toaster oven may be useful, but if it's deemed a fire hazard, you'll have to settle for the dormitory kitchen. Your RA may also tell you where to find cheap dorm decor or that you don't need certain items, either because your school provides them or they won't fit. Get in touch with your new roommate and ask him what he is bringing. If one of you brings a small refrigerator, the other can supply a TV. Don't agree to make a joint purchase; eventually the school year will end and you'll have to either buy it from him or lose an important item.
Resist the temptation to fill your room with cute chairs and a giant futon or you soon won't have anywhere to walk. Opt for tall floor lamps with a broad, flat base. Pick a large, dark-colored floor rug that will hide stains but give the floor a little color. Stack wherever possible. For example, if your school gives you a desk and a bookcase, turn the bookcase on its side and put it on top of the desk. Remove one of the shelves, put your computer inside and stack your books in the remaining shelf.
You don't have to set up your entire dorm room on move-in day. Take the first month of school to shop around for what you want. Don't worry if your dorm decor doesn't match perfectly or come in an all-in-one set from a posh retailer. Look for cheap decor in discount or thrift shops that you can easily personalize and that make a statement you like. Avoid impulse buys -- they'll likely end up pushed under your bed. Be thoughtful when choosing your dorm room's decor and you're much more likely to be satisfied with the end product.
Give everything a designated space. For example, store bath products in a plastic case beside or underneath your bed instead of lining them up on your dresser. Look for furniture that can double as storage; for example, buy an ottoman with a removable top and use it to store DVDs or bedroom shoes. Use a hanging shoe organizer to get your shoes off the closet floor or an over-the-door rack to organize clothing items you grab often, such as a coat or scarf.