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This is a project I am working on now, that is, until I realized I need to change my ink cartridge. I found some really cheap coasters at TJMaxx (My favorite store, if you haven't noticed), where I can insert a photo into each one. I had a few different ideas, but I chose to print out pictures of exotic tropical flowers from my family vacation to Bermuda to match the prints I have hanging up on our walls. I also thought about putting black and white pictures of old movie stars in them like Audrey Hepburn or Marilyn Monroe, or an "Around the World" theme using pictures like the Eiffel Tower, the Leaning Tower of Pisa, the Statue of Liberty, etc. A few other themes I can think of include, nautical, tropical trees or beaches, tropical fish, religious, sea shells, animals, fruit, shoes, vintage, cars, etc. You can really do just about anything you want, even pictures of you or your favorite people!
I think that these coasters are cute enough to be vertically lined up and displayed in a row on a shelf or mantle as well.
Tip of the Day: I am putting these picture ideas into coasters, but you can print out pictures of any of these ideas and more and put them in inexpensive frames to hang on your wall. Try getting four or five of them, but horizontal and vertical of different shapes and sizes, and arrange them in a funky way on your wall. You can find cheap frames just about anywhere. They even have cute ones at dollar stores!
Don't have enough desk drawers or shelf space? Decorative baskets/canvas bins provide a great way to store the extra stuff you don't have room for. Try filling them with books, desk supplies, paper, stationary, note cards, etc. They allow a spot to put your random extra stuff, and can be filled a bunch of items. TJMaxx and Bed Bath and Beyond have been my favorite places to shop. They have the best selections and the best prices!
http://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/product.asp?order_num=-1&SKU=110196&RN=0
Tip of the Day: Save space!! Cubed shelving provides the opportunity to place these canvas totes and baskets inside a few of the cubes. Use the other cubes as a bookshelf or places to put picture frames, DVD players, stereos, or other decorative items. The top of the shelving can be used to put extra lighting, a small television, more picture frames, etc. It's cute and functions as several things to save space.
http://www.target.com/gp/detail.html/ref=sc_qi_detail/601-4307852-0088147?&frombrowse=1&page=1&node=14244601&rh=&asin=B000FTGBOA
You will be spending most of your time in your dorm room or bed room while at college, and the best way to feel comfortable is to create an inviting and attractive atmosphere. My favorite part about my room is my bed! Since dorm rooms are so small, there is not much room for furniture or decorations, so the best way to enhance the appeal of your room is to make something of your bed.
Colorful bedspreads are a must! Having a colorful atmosphere will make your room feel bigger, brighter, and a happier atmosphere overall. Having a colorful bedspread will also make it easier to match other parts of the room, such as curtains, posters, small carpets, etc. Everything will seem like it matches, even your roommate's bed, even if it is not an exact match.
Dorm beds are ugly, and chances are if you are in a college apartment, you just have a couple of mattresses and no backboard. Dress up your bed with lots and lots of pretty pillows! Pillows of different sizes make your bed look more inviting (this might make you want to nap more often though), and make your small living area seem more comfortable.
If you are like me and love your bedspread fit for a dorm sized bed, but move into a full or queen sized bed and don't want to give up your beautiful spread and matching curtains/accessories/etc, then all you need to do is find a way to make it fit. You can get a white bedspread for a relatively low price at places like TJMaxx, and just lay your other bedspread on top! I needed to get a few more pillow shams though, and I happened to find the matching set (it was two seasons later) on eBay for super cheap. It's definitely possible to make your bedspread and pillows last throughout college!!
Apartment
Tip of the Day: Find ways to save money by shopping on eBay (watch out though, sometimes shipping prices can be pricey) and shopping at places like TJMaxx, Homegoods, Marshalls, Kohl's, Target, Wal Mart, KMart (Martha Stewart line), etc. TJMaxx always has bedspreads from the previous season in great condition at great prices. It's easy to find sheets there as well. Always scout out for your matching set even a year or two after you buy it. You never know where you'll find something to match, marked down super cheap :) Have fun!!
Looking for art to decorate your empty walls, but can't afford it, or can't find any artwork that you like? Turn your old calendars into your own works of art! Just find an inexpensive frame and stick your photo inside. You can find inexpensive photo frames at places like TJMaxx, Kohl's, JoAnn Fabrics (look for their frame sale), Wal Mart, Target, etc.
When I turned my calendar into art, I wanted there to be a white matte around the edge, so I tried finding a frame that had the matting already in it. It would have been so much more expensive to have it done custom. The frame I finally found was actually made for two 5X7 photos with a white matte border around the edge. This did not matter though, because I simply centered the photo and placed it on top. Just remember, when finding your frame it may not fit your calendar photo exactly, so look for ways to either cut down your photo, or, if that is not a possibility, to utilize your frame a little differently than it was originally intended.
This is a great way to add some color and decorations to your dorm, house, or apartment, and it is fairly inexpensive. It adds a classy look to any room!
These frames cost me $9.99 each at TJMaxx. The project cost me $19.98 total, which is in most cases much lower than it would cost for just one piece of art. Easy, cheap, classic.
Tip of the Day: Want to hide your ugly futon or couch cushions? Slip covers can be really pricey. Try looking for inexpensive pillows to spread along the couch instead. Try to get one pretty center pillow, and surround it with solid pillows. You may need to spend a little more on the center pillow, but the rest of the pillows can be found for relatively inexpensive. Try looking at Pier 1 Imports. They have great sales!
The center pillow was approximately $18, and the side pillows were $9 each. I wanted to put two purple pillows in between the blue and center pillow, but I could only find one purple pillow, which was put on our chair. It really did make the couch look better!
One of the first DIY projects I did for my dorm room was also one of the best projects I've done, because it has stuck with me all four years. I found this idea in a Seventeen magazine, and it works great in any dorm room, bedroom, kitchen, entryway etc. Transform your dull and boring basic bulletin board into a fun and fabulous frame for your photos, to-do lists, message boards, etc.!! I have received so many compliments from my friends, and all of them wanted to know where my awesome boards came from. The best part is, they think you are crafty and creative because you made them homemade! There are many easy and inexpensive ways to dress up a simple bulletin board, and I will describe a couple of options.
Fabric and Paint
Materials:
Basic Bulletin Board
Fabric to fit the inside area
Paint
Stapler/Staples
Paint the border of the bulletin board a color of your choice. Once the paint has dried, lay down a layer of fabric to cover the entire cork area of the board, and staple it along the edges of the board, right beside the border. From a distance, the staples are hardly noticeable, and if you are like me, there will be pictures all over so you won't see them anyway. You may need to double up the fabric if it is a light color or pattern.
Be creative! I suggest using a fun pattern to match your color scheme and painting the border a solid shade. I used white with a pink and white checkered fabric. If you would like to be more creative on the border, though, try using a solid colored fabric so it's not too busy. Try polka dots, stripes, or a patterned border in that case. This would also be more time consuming, however.
Rhinestone/Jeweled Border
Materials:
Basic Bulletin Board
Hot Glue and Glue Gun
Rhinestones, Jewels
Arrange colorful jewels or rhinestones of all different shapes and sizes along the border of the bulletin board, and hot glue them down to create a fun border for your photos.
If fabric is desired, as in the above example, lay down and staple the fabric first (I suggest a light solid color), and cover it with newspaper or a sheet while gluing to avoid getting it messy. Sometimes the rhinestones will cover the inside really close to the border, and it will be hard to staple it down if you wait until you've glued it all. If you don't like the idea of colorful rhinestones, try gluing down a couple layers of fake pearl necklaces, seashells, fake flowers, or anything you can think of!
All of the materials for these projects can be purchased from basic craft stores like JoAnn Fabrics, Wal Mart, Target, Pat Catan's, etc. This is a relatively inexpensive project for small college budgets :)
Tip of the day: The best way to make a small room feel larger is to incorporate bright colors.... lots of them. Try to stick to the same color palette, though, so your room is not overwhelmingly bright. You want it to be bright, but comfortable.
Dorm
