A rug changes the ambiance of a room more than any other quick decorating fix. For a dorm room, or any other room that will be getting lots of foot traffic, the rug should be patterned, and have bright or dark colors. It should also be small enough to shake out, as many college students do not have access to a vacuum cleaner. Before purchasing a rug with a bold pattern, roommates should be consulted.
Wall decals are hipper than posters, and provide a much more sophisticated look than merely tacking something on the wall. Populate "the room with playful objects and hits of color from cushions, art or wall decals that reflect the student's personality," quotes the New York Times, referring to Parson's New School for Design students who were charged with the task of decorating dorm rooms.
These decorations are fairly inexpensive, and come in a wide variety of colors. The designs are practically unlimited, with everything from jellyfish to giant dandelion puffs being available. Wall decals are made of vinyl, and are easy to put up, as they simply stick to the wall. They are equally easy to take down, as they are not permanent---a perfect solution for dorm rooms where painting is not allowed.
Not many things can pull the design of a room together better than a few throw pillows. They can be used to unify disparate colors in the room or amplify an existing color scheme. "Use different shapes and sizes together to make your room more interesting" advise the decorators at Home Reserve. Throw pillows can be purchased inexpensively at discount stores and hobby stores. Crafty individuals will find that they are easy to make if a custom look is desired.
Folding screens add style to a room while performing multiple functions. A folding screen can hide an ugly entryway by being positioned at an angle to the entry. It can provide privacy in rooms shared by two or more people. The screen can be used to artfully hang scarves and other items of clothing that can be on display---especially useful in dorm rooms with tiny closets. A variety of styles are available, including screens that have spaces for photos of friends and family, are painted with attractive scenes or embody a rustic style.
Dorm rooms that have high ceilings can get a fun boost from light-catching CDs that add sparkle and movement to the room. Not for conservative decorators, these decorations are easy to make and hang. CDs are strung with fishing line and hung from the ceiling. The length of the fishing line can be uniform or varied. Thumbtacks are sufficient to hold the CDs in place, and are unobtrusive. A student can hang ten or a hundred, depending on the size of the room and how much sparkle is desired. A student can ask around and find used CDs---making this project an easy way to recycle as well as decorate. There is no need for this idea to be implemented all at once. Students can hang the CDs when time is available, a few at a time.