Angelo Surmelis and Kelley Walters of HGTV.com share their advice on how to make sure your space goes beyond the usual posters and boring sheets.

Stick to it
Get the look of wallpaper without the hassle of wallpapering. You can get the same look from decals — which you can change on a whim. So when your love for flowers gives way to birds, you can instantly show off your new design crush. 

Choose wisely
Think about the scale of your furniture. Try not to fill the room with a bunch of little things, which can make it feel cluttered. Fewer, well-chosen pieces create the illusion of a larger room. With fewer pieces, you can have something larger like a great, comfortable chair.

Get bedded
Bedding is  the quickest and easiest way to add style to your space. For a fresh look, mix colours like this year’s hottest — apple green, fuchsia and chocolate. And don’t fear patterns! Try floral pillows with an animal print, or blend paisley with classic circles.

Walls can talk
Use your walls to their full potential. Simple shelving or even cubes (that you can customize with paint or wallpaper) can add instant interest while providing storage that keeps surfaces neat and clean.

Maximize storage
Since dorm rooms can be quite small and are often shared, maximizing storage is key. Look for furniture pieces that can double for storage, such as ottomans that open up, beds with pullout drawers and storage in headboards as well as vertical storage. Speaking of vertical storage, stacking twin beds on loft stands maximizes storage for books, files and even mini-fridges.