Walking through the door of your dorm room for the first time is an exhilarating feeling. For most, this is the first time living away from home. The newness, the unfamiliarity and especially the plain white walls can all be very overwhelming. There is hope, though, and it won’t cost you a fortune either. So, whether your dorm is never-before-seen, or you’re just looking for a way to switch things up for the new semester, here are some ideas for cute dorm decor that won’t suck up all of your savings.

1. Tassel banners.

Tassel banners are a really simple way to add some personality to your walls. They are easy to find on online shops like Etsy, but also prove to be a fun do-it-yourself project for you (and your roommate too). You can switch to a different banner with each season or even each holiday, or just hang one up with a witty phrase or encouraging sentiment. You could even skip the patterns and just hang one up with a solid color or two to add a pop of color to the room.

2. Tapestries.

Just like the tassel banners, tapestries are an inexpensive and easy decoration to make or buy. They are sold anywhere from Urban Outfitters to Etsy, or you could just go to a fabric store and make one yourself or with a friend or roommate. This is perfect for those students with lots of blank space who are unable to paint or harm the walls with nails or tacks.

3. Accent pillows or lights.

For me, the perfect way to create a cozy ambiance that reminds me of home is by adding accent pillows to the bed and stringing lights from the ceiling. It’s so easy to do and and so affordable, too. Target is perfect for both accent pillows and lights. They have so many different options: from big, soft pillows to small, twinkling Christmas lights, it’s so hard to not buy every single variety and change the room around each week. It transforms the room into a nice, relaxing area to do homework or to just hang out in after class in the evenings.

4. Katherine’s watercolor wall.

Here’s an example of a dorm here at Stephens. Katherine Craig has an adorable watercolor wall that most definitely livens up her room. It’s a fun project to do if you’ve been blessed with crafting skills (unlike me). It’s unique, and hopefully changes your mood when you glance at it. You can even add some of your favorite lyrics. Show off what you love so when your friends come over to your dorm, they’re super impressed and (hopefully) a little envious of your genius idea!

5. Inspiration wall or vision board.

Instead of spending tons of money to cover that white wall, create an inspiration wall. Rip out old magazine spreads that inspire you and tape them up until your wall is covered. You can do this gradually, throughout the semester, or all at once. If you don’t want to cover a whole wall, just grab some poster board and make a mini-version, full of quotes and goals that get you pumped.

6. A rug.

A bright rug can add a much-needed pop of color to any room. It can transform your space from feeling empty and lonely to full and homey. Plus, it feels way better to slip your feet onto than that linoleum! To avoid crazy prices, head over to Ikea or Target.

7. Framed prints.

Take advantage of your Tumblr page and print out your favorite quotes or pictures. Snag a few frames from the Dollar Store or Hobby Lobby (check for their weekly coupons!) and set up your own gallery wall. For a splurge option, check out the multitude of cute prints on Etsy, like Tyler Feder’s personalized art prints.

8. Get a fish.

If all else fails, just get a fish. I mean, the tank kind of counts as decoration, right? Plus, everyone needs a little company.