A Touch of Home

Cozy. Charming. Cute.

That's real estate double-speak for the average dorm room. Translation? Small. Space is at a premium. Add assorted earthly possessions times two and every inch counts. So how can you make your room livable, even fashionable? Here are a few tips for becoming the envy of the hall:

• Don't bring too much. Move in with the essentials like clothes, bedding and personal items. Plot out the space with your roommate. Then shop together for finishing touches and additional items like chairs or lamps. It's a great way to bond with the new roomie!

• Contact your roommate in advance to coordinate what you'll each bring. That way you won't duplicate stuff or end up with too many big items.

• Be familiar with residence hall guidelines. The residence hall will mail out guidelines in advance as to what items are not allowed in rooms (i.e. candles, pets, hotplates, etc.). They'll also tell you what you can and can't do when decorating walls and windows or when installing an in-room structure such as a loft.

• Think comforting. You'll be in a new place. Bring things that remind you of family, hometown, friends, treasured experiences, etc. These same things help introduce you to new friends. And don't forget that favorite blanket, pillow or teddy bear.

• Personalize your space. Pack something to hang on the wall or set on a desk. It doesn't have to be big, just a piece of you to put a stamp on your part of the room.

• Decorate your room with a theme. Decorating ideas are as close as your nearest computer or TV. HGTV's Design on a Dime (www.hgtv.com) and the Learning Channel's Trading Spaces (www.tlc.discovery.com) are just two of the many places you can go for inspiration. Glance down the following list of "looks" to get your creative juices flowing:

• Shop online first. Try out:

Bed Bath and Beyond at www.bedbathandbeyond.com  

Ikea at www.ikea-usa.com  

Linens 'n Things at www.lnt.com  

Target at www.target.com  

Walmart at www.walmart.com

• Open a gift registry. If you have a graduation or birthday coming up this summer, consider using a dorm room gift registry. Bed Bath and Beyond's website has the most comprehensive registry, complete with checklists and college survival tips. Also check out the registry at Linens 'n Things. Don't be shy--ask for it all!