1. Make the most of your wall space by hanging a tapestry.

Using your walls strategically is one of the most effective ways to bring life to a bland space. However, since dorms have strict rules about how you're permitted to hang things, it can be difficult to know how to decorate without breaking regulations and ending up with out-of-pocket fines.

The easiest way to hang a tapestry without causing damage to the wall's paint is to attach command strips to clothes pins. Amazon is your best friend when it comes to finding an affordable tapestry to add some color and personality to the walls. You can find a number of large, colorful tapestries ranging from $10-$15. It's just a matter of choosing something that compliments your bedding and the rest of your room's desired aesthetic.

2. Glam up a cheap mirror.

New mirrors can be expensive. However, there are a number of places that sell used mirrors for ridiculously cheap. Check out local garage sales, thrift shops, and flea markets for a good bargain. If you don't know of any secondhand shops in your area, you can use Facebook marketplace or apps like Letgo to find local deals.

If you're patient and invest a little bit of time, your wallet will thank you later. I was able to find a full sized mirror in my area for just $5.

The mirror doesn't have to be anything extraordinary when you buy it. Part of the fun is personalizing the mirror and making it unique to your tastes. Gluing artificial flowers, colorful stones, or anything else visually appealing can turn the mirror from a cheap buy to a standout piece of your room.

3. Decorate a cork board.

Transform an old cork board into functional decor by attaching colorful tape, patterned fabric, or artificial flowers. If you don't own a cork board, you can find a generic one on Amazon for around $16 or find an even better deal at a secondhand shop.

You can use the cork board to can hang stray papers during the school year to minimize the amount of clutter on your desk space. You could also use it as a jewelry board to hang and display your necklaces and accessories.

4. Bring some of the outdoors inside to liven up your space.

Houseplants have been shown to improve air quality, increase productivity, and reduce stress. They're also aesthetically pleasing and look good anywhere.

Check out the list of 25 indoor plants you can't kill to help you decide on which plants to use. It's important that they're low maintenance and don't require copious amounts of sun.

Paint garden pots to fit the aesthetic of you room. Check out Pinterest for inspiration. If you're not artistically inclined, you could plant them into mason jars or just plant them in patterned mugs.

5. Buy an aromatherapy diffuser to add scent and light to your space.

Using essential oils in a diffuser is a great way to remove odors from the air and improve mental clarity and focus. Do research on popular essential oils and their specific health benefits. Some scents are more suitable for stress relief while others have been shown to increase focus and treat headaches. Pick an essential oil that is right for you and purchase a diffuser that matches the ambience of your room.

Besides just making your room smell incredible, aromatherapy diffusers can add light and style to your space. For just $15.99 on Amazon, you can buy a glowing aromatherapy diffuser with multiple color options.

6. Add prints to your wall.

Find aesthetic prints and hang them to your wall with command strips to add some color and personality to your space. You can find quotes, photos, art, or whatever else you enjoy looking at.

If you enjoy photography, you can use some photos of your own to make it even more personalized and original. You can even frame the photos to make it more bold.

7. Use glass jars to store your toiletries.

If you have any extra glass jars laying around, make the most of them. Decorate their exterior and use them to store toiletries, pencils, or other small miscellaneous objects. You can use Sharpies, stickers, artificial flowers, ribbon, or anything else that adds color.

8. Hang lights to brighten the space.

There's a reason that Christmas lights are popular dorm decor. They're cute, cheap, add light, and really stand out in your space.

You can find a regular, cheap string of lights on Amazon for just $11.99. Some lights are shaped like clothes pins and you can use them to hang and display photos of friends and family. Whether you want to hang photos or just stick to the classic lights, you can't go wrong with using Christmas lights as dorm room decor.