Easy Dry Erase Board.

Instead of buying a brand new dry erase board, up-cycle an old photo frame! Simply buy a piece of scrapbook paper are your local craft store, and place it in the photo frame. As long as the paper you chose isn't too "loud" or distracting, you'll be able to use whiteboard markers on the glass of the frame and still see your notes. Maybe consider using your school's colors as the background, or your favorite sports team. Paper at the craft stores tends to sell at $1.30 or less, and if you're re-purposing an old frame from home that's a $1.30 well spent!

This is a cheap and visually appealing way to keep track of your day-to-day reminders, especially if you aren't typically a whiteboard user. If you don't have an extra photo frame lying around the house, check out your local thrift store. Frames go on sale often and you'll find plenty of options.

Reusable Calendar.

Also in the realm of dry erase boards, is the wipe-off calendar. Instead of buying a hanging calendar or an expensive dry erase wall calendar, make your own! This follows the same principle of the last entry although you could draw lines on the paper that goes inside your photo frame to create the boxed calendar effect, or you could do something like this and use paint swatches to create the same effect.

All you would have to do each month is wipe the dry erase marker off the glass, write the month at the top, and fill in the days. This is an easy way to add color and intrigue to a blank wall and it helps keep you organized.

Hanging Key Holder.

This idea also involves up-cycling an old photo frame. Although, this time frame a nicely printed quote or motto of your choice, maybe repaint the frame if desired, and screw in a few hooks in the bottom of the frame. Hang the frame next to your door and hang your keys on it. You'll be less likely to lose your keys in jacket pockets or various piles later on, and it will reaffirm your motto or cheer you up with your favorite quote every day.

Reinventing The Shadow Box!

Plenty of people use shadow boxes to hold their collections of concert or movie tickets. These wall frames are thicker and you can cut a slot in the top that will allow you to drop something inside of it. With the revival of Polaroid cameras, why not slide some of your prized pictures in there after you've taken them. This enables you to keep them all in one place, you'll be able to take them out whenever you want, and they create an interesting collage-like effect when you drop them in together.

This is a tidier way to show off your snapshots when you don't have time or money to scrapbook. This could also be an expansion on the gratitude of the day craft. All you need is some colored paper, cut it into strips, and each day you write at least one thing you are grateful for on a slip then drop it into the shadow box. At the end of the year, you could look through them all and be reminded of all that you treasured throughout the year.

Photo Display.

Create a geometric design with string and tacks, then use little clips to attach your photos to the string. Displaying your photos this way will save on wall space since your not using frames, and it will add an artistic linework design to the room. You could also use or just add strings of fairy lights to the design to make the design and photos stand out.

Fairy Lights.

Place them in jars, vases, or other see-through containers to add a glow to the room. Many craft stores also sell holographic stickers that will change the shape of the light that passes through it, so it'll look like little stars or hearts are illuminating your lantern. Of course, you can always opt to hang your fairy lights around the room, but don't just line the edges of your walls, be bold and try making designs out of them!

Tassels!

Hanging tassels around the room gives it a fun and colorful touch. Tassels are easy to make on your own with yarn from the store, or you can see about buying strings of tassels from Amazon. They could be the border to photos instead of using frames, line the edge of your window or bed, and could just be tied around jars or vases you use as decoration already.

Fabric Decor.

Take a strip of fabric, tie it into a bow, and hang it as a wall decoration like in this Pinterest gem. This goes beyond the super cute bow though, you could do this with makeshift curtains out of up-cycled blankets or sheets. This can be a great way to incorporate more patterns into your decor, and add texture too. This could also be adjusted to hang fabric from the ceiling like a canopy above your bed. You could pin certain thinner fabrics to the ceiling to create a tent-like feel which will soften the harsh shapes and colors of a standard sterile dorm room.

Release Your Inner Artist.

As the oh so wise, Mr. Bob Ross would always say, "Anyone can paint." This isn't about crazy talent or complex pieces, but about letting yourself do the best you can. You can always start with something simple like using tape to cover sections of the canvas before painting it. After you have dripped, sponged, splattered, or poured paint over the canvas, you can carefully peel the tape off to reveal stark line-work that will nicely contrast your splashes of color.

You could also use the tape to block out letters, or even quotes (if you're really ambitious) which will remain visible after you've splattered the canvas. All you need is some canvas, some paint, and the energy to splatter paint onto the canvas.

Washi Tape Miracles.

Not only does Washi tape come in dozens of colors, designs, and sizes, it can transform your space. Use the tape to make the outline of your favorite sports team's logo, a skyline, or any multitude of other designs on your wall. It adds color to the room, without painting the wall or damaging it. Washi tape your door with your name or simple lines, and it will instantly make your room stand out.

Vamp Up Your Lamp.

Take a boring lamp or ceiling light cover, and add a little something to it. What I love about this design is that all you need is a few hooks, a wire circle, and some yarn to create a new light cover. You could also use bead strings, or fake pearls to create a faux chandelier look too.

It may take time to make, but it is not all that expensive. You could even make it out of craft paper or free paint swatches! As long as you leave enough space so that the light bulb doesn't touch the new shade or anything it'll be easy peasy.

Tapestries.

Putting a tapestry up on the wall may seem like an obvious choice but it is still a good one. There are hundreds of different designs to choose from, plus they're cheap and easy to put up. To avoid putting tacks in the wall, check out this awesome pin about how to use Command strips and decorative clothespins to your advantage.

DIY Shelving.

Using Command strips isn't recommended for this project since it will probably be heavier than the hooks can handle. But this is an opportunity to use some spare planks of wood and make them into a little box, which you can attach a small chain or rope to, paint it however you like, and then hang from the wall. It may not hold much, but this is about decorative value. If you want shelves to put more things on, you should probably get yourself a proper bookshelf.

Make Your Own Coasters.

This may seem small and insignificant, but coasters are taking up some of the space on your table and it's the small things that really tie a room together. All you need is water-proof glaze or Modge Podge, some coaster, and paper. You could up-cycle a map, cut out your favorite places, or just destinations you want to visit. Map coasters are a great talking point and they will have meaning behind which places you chose. Use scrapbook paper for the design, which leaves your options wide open and is very cheap. Mix and match, and have fun with it!

Hit the Thrift!

Thrifting can be overwhelming if you don't go into it with an idea of what style you want or what items you need. But keep an open mind, and each time you find something interesting. Ask yourself, "How could I fix this up to look new again? What will it add to my new room?" This can help prevent you from just buying cool, but space wasting things. Up-cycle some teacups by planting real, or fake plants in them. This is just one example though, you could find loads of other interesting things to re-purpose.

Thread Art.

Not quite dream catchers or pegboard art, this is when you take a ring and use thread to tie, twist, and tangle a design into the center of the ring. This could be done to make a small wall decoration or you could use Dollar Store hula hoops to make a larger piece that could be hung flat on your ceiling. Give it a shot and see what you can make with colored thread.

Switch Plates.

Buy an extra light switch plate at your home improvement store, and paint it up. Break out the Modge Podge and craft paper again, and dress up the plate. This a quick and easy craft that will help make your room stand out.

Make A Blanket Ladder.

Use some spare lumber, or buy a few boards, and make a ladder which you can hang blankets or scarves from. It may not be sturdy enough in the sense of using it as a ladder, but it's a cute way to keep your blankets folded and on display.

"Dye" Pillow Cases.

Instead of buying a dye kit and spending hours staining your hands, take a sharpie and rubbing alcohol to your pillowcases. You probably already have sharpies around the house or are buying some for your school projects, why not test them out. The rubbing alcohol makes the color bleed out from the fresh sharpie line, resulting in a tie-dye-like finish. Follow these instructions for step by step help.

Jars and Vases.

Select some vases, candle holders, bottles, or jars and repaint them to create candle holders or new vases. There are cans of sea glass spray paint available for purchase at many home improvement stores if you can't find it at your local craft store. Glitter, metallic, and matte spray paints are also options. If you want to have some unpainted portions, simply tape them off before you paint.

For safety reasons, please buy electric tea lights; they'll prevent accidental fires among other hazards. If you're redesigning a vase, take advantage of craft store sales and purchase some fake flowers or greenery. It may seem strange, but they won't need to be watered, they don't die, and you won't keep spending money on new bouquets. Silk flowers can be very realistic looking nowadays, and it is a great way to add "life" to your room.