Most college dorm rooms have a little something lacking. Hospital White over cinder blocks isn't exactly what most of us would call interior decorating. Combine this with a cramped environment where you'll spend most of your time, and you've got a recipe for an unsightly and unpleasant living environment. Here are few tips to beautify your dorm room quickly and cheaply without getting fined.

Bright colors

The first thing most college dorm rooms need is a bit of color. While off-white is technically a color, you might want something a bit brighter. You can add a splash of color with sheets for your bed (usually $5 to $10 at a big-box store), upholstery for your chair (safety pins and a fabric store should do the trick for another $5), and maybe a flowerpot or two (most hardware stores sell cheap, durable plants for under $10). Colored towels are another good bet if you hang them anywhere but your closet (about $5 each, plus they hide unsightly stains). Another good bet would be painting or decorating your refrigerator, if your college allows you to have one.

Décor

If you're like me, you have a bunch of stuff that you wouldn't think to use a decoration at first. For example, guitars, violins, drums, etc. make for good decorations: they're visually pleasing and you're going to have to find space for them anyway (you should still safely stow them in their cases during parties, though). If you're a fruit person, pick up a hanging basket: they're bright and make you look healthy.

Improvised wall paper

Most colleges won't let you re-paint your rooms. But you can get around these by applying improvised wall paper. First, select a fabric that appeals to you (nothing too fancy, you can probably get enough for $20). Next, apply it to the wall using spray on starch and an iron on a low setting (a few cans will be enough, about $10). You'll be surprised how well it will stay on, but it peels off at the end of the year without much hassle.

Wall hangings

There are two types of wall hangings that you can use: posters and framed pictures. Posters are cheaper, so if your budget is tight, they're a good place to start. Frames are a bit more expensive, but you'll notice that they are much nicer. There are various products out there that you can buy for a few bucks that allow will hold these up without damaging your wall (3M offers a whole line of them).

Furniture

You probably wont have enough space to put any furniture into your room. If you do, though, nothing spruces up a room quite like a lounge chair or a coffee table. You can purchase them from thrift stores for usually under $10.

Rugs

Go to your local thrift store. You can pick up a good rug for a few bucks. Having a floor covering both helps prevent damage and adds a touch of class to your otherwise disgusting dorm room. Take it outside and beat it a few times a year.

If you're worried about the cost, here are two things to keep in mind. First, all of these methods are reusable – you don't have to throw anything out unless you don't want it anymore. Second, they'll probably save you money in the long run by preventing damage and fines.