As a college student strapped for cash, I know first hand how hard it is to decorate your space. I was watching Martha Stewart the other day with a strange expression on my face. "Who my age would actually do that stuff, though?" I couldn't see myself, bright pink hair and all, actually hot glueing crafts together with any sort of enthusiasm. I pictured myself ending up with popsicle sticks accidentally glued to my hair, sitting in my empty apartment, trying to make anything that looks respectable to stick on the wall. If this sounds like you, read on!
Candles/Candleholders
Alright, because I was looking for accents and not furniture, I ended up walking (crawling) through the entire Ikea store until I found the housewares section. But it was totally and completely worth it. For $3.99 I found several packages of pillar candles, striped pink and yellow: matching at least 5 or 6 things in my room and in my outfit right there. Score. For $12 more I found a candleholder, made of a dark oak and silver to catch the wax. It was expensive and not something I had planned on really buying, but the candleholders add a certain groove to the room that I was pleased with. On my stroll through, I found about 10 candles for 20 more dollars. They look amazing, and really changed the appearance of the room. You wouldn't think, but they made the biggest difference in the shorest amount of time.
Bamboo Plants
Green plants look great with anything. Plus, It's almost too easy to keep a bamboo plant. Once a month I change the water, but that probably isnt even necessary. Bamboo plants are so easy to take care of that they last years and years and are only a few dollars. They take no time to take care of. They just sit there looking awesome and aren't tacky like fake plants can sometimes be. It's a win. I bought a vase for two more dollars in the Ikea basement.
Books
Add the books you already have to sidetables and to shelves that you may have. Go to used books stores and get 50 cent copies of books you have never read or have always been interested in. Put some boxes or recipe cards in them for bookmarks.
One Thing that is Out of Place
If you're somewhat of an eccentric character, people really expect for that one item that doesnt fit there to be there. So buy that salvation army wonky chair, or that pink plastic flamingo for giggles. You should smile 50 times a day. If you have something you love, don't be afraid! Be loud and proud of whoever you are.
Dream Wall
Making a dream wall was easy. I happen to be addicted to 43things.com and that site got me to really think about what I wanted in life. I thought about all of the things that I really wanted and found pictures and fortune cookie slips ("you are given the chance to take part in an exciting adventure") and glued them all to one wall in my room. This portion of the wall represents who I am, what I've done and where I want to go. It reminds me of the things I want to do. For instance "Travel to 30 countries before I turn 30" has always been a major goal of mine. When I want to go out and spend pointless money on things like expensive dinners and clothes from freepeople.com, I look at this wall and remember what is really important in my life. It's free and keeps my room looking cool all at the same time.
Paint
Paint can change the atmosphere of the room entirely, but think about the color long before you decide to paint. Do this one right, because if you change your mind later it's expensive and a pain.
Curtains
Ikea has a nice selection of curtains, but I decided to use plain white ones that I already had. And you know what? They work wonderfully. Score, that saves even MORE cash.
Poems, Poetry
This goes along with the dream board idea. I took some of my favorite quotations ("smile, breathe, and go slowly." -thich nhat hanh)("I had a lovers' quarrel with the world." -robert frost") etc, and put them on my closet door. They look awesome there, and this can work in any room.
Shoeboxs
I buy lots of shoes, and have cool shoeboxes kicking around. If you like the shoebox as is, use it in a bookshelf or as a recipe box in the kitchen. If not, cut out pictures you like from magazines or print out pictures to glue to them. This is fairly easy and is good for people who get distracted easily. They hold everything, pretty much: one of them even fits my archaeology tools for field school.
Mirrors
I bought a package of four square mirrors from ikea for $5. Just stick them to the wall and arrange them in a cool pattern. They look really cool, no matter what room. They just fit. Take something generic like a mirror and make it your own. Glue photos and other personal touches to it. You'll see an instant difference.
Thanks for sharing!!