Drop that Belushi poster. Trash the Marley, too. And, whatever you do, step away from the lava lamp. Slowly. When decorating a dorm, it's easy to fall into the same traps as every other student with $10 to burn and a gift shop down the block. "A room's design says a lot about the person who lives there," says William Scroggie, interior designer and owner of Studio Scroggie, a New York-based interior design business. "Like the clothes we wear, it's a way of expressing our style, interests, and projecting an image to the world." If you want to make your closet-size space truly stand out, you'll need to be more creative. Start with these six basic strategies to make the most of your first on-campus abode.

Pack Light

It's tempting to bring every game console, pair of jeans, and family photo, but resist the urge. "Think of college as a fresh start," says Dominic Vitalone, an interior designer at Miami's renowned Jorge Castillo Design firm. "Start with the bare essentials and add more later."

Does your XBox 360 count as a bare essential? Maybe. How about that trove of WWF action figures? Yeah, thought so. The more minimalist you can go, the better. "Stick with a bed, desk, pillow, school books, and a laptop," he says. "You can always bring back what you really miss."

Embrace Symmetry

As long as you can convince your roommate to follow your lead, mirroring each other's arrangements will make it seem like you've magically earned more real estate. That doesn't mean you need an aquarium to match hisjust make sure the desks, beds, and other essentials are properly aligned. "Symmetry will make a space appear larger, more organized, and visually appealing," says Vitalone. "Both sides of the room should mirror each other to maximize space." Another way to make your room look larger? Reduce clutter with a cheap storage bin like this one from IKEA that you can hide under the bed.

Choose Patterns

Most colleges maintain strict policies forbidding paint jobs, so you'll have to depend on bedding and rugs to give your room a much-needed hit of color. Check stores like Urban Outfitters, Target, and West Elm for the widest variety of options. Aim for something like this comforter from Target, or consider placing this duvet cover from West Elm over your old one. Just avoid anything with too many colors at the same time. "This will make the space look smaller and more cluttered," says Scroggie. "Try multiple shades of the same color, instead."

Don't Depend on Bins

You can only fit so many giant plastic Tupperware containers under your bedand they should never be visible. Need more storage space? "Consider colored cloth bins instead," says Scroggie. "They look better than plastic and you can buy them at many chain stores." Check out these options from Bed, Bath, and Beyond or these from IKEA. You could also look into vintage suitcases or old milk crates for a retro look, he suggests.

Personalize Your Posters

Save the Victoria's Secret models for your desktop background. "Print and frame meaningful pictures instead," Scroggie says. "Pictures of friends will be more personal, and photos of places you've been will give your space a more artistic vibe." Frame them and they'll look even more refined. You can pull it off cheaply with these frames from Bed Bath and Beyond. Keep in mind, photos have more of an impact in larger sizes, he says. Low quality photos? Try making a large collage of smaller photos on shutterfly.com.

Add Layers

Start with a bolster-style pillow along the wall and add smaller pillows for additional layers—so it's more of a sofa bed," says Scroggie. "It's the easiest way to liven up the room." Then, add two layers of sheets, or another light blanket for a bed that's comfortable, dynamic, and inviting to the opposite sex. Check out cb2.com for pillows that won't remind you of your little sis's room.

Kiera Carter Kiera Carter has a decade's worth of experience covering fitness, health, and lifestyle topics for national magazines and websites.

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