Having your own space means you have the ability to truly decorate it as your own. A classy and homey setup is desirable but hard to achieve while you’re still on the “broke college student” budget. However, many decorations that look expensive can really be cheap if you by the supplies and craft them yourself.

Here are several simple DIY projects to help make your apartment feel like home. The supplies for these crafts can be bought at your local craft store.

1. Cloud lamps

A substitution for fairy string lights, which look quite dorm-like, these fluffy lights will bring a sense of warmth to any space. Using a hot glue gun, carefully attach cotton fluff to paper lanterns. Whether you want to string and hang them up from the ceiling or safely situate them on the floor, cloud lamps will turn your apartment into a dream.

2. Pinboard maps

This one is for the international students and the avid travelers. Rather than just a globe or world map poster, attach a world map onto a giant pinboard. With a multitude of pin colors and flags, place a pin on your hometown, every city you’ve ever been to and every country you want to visit.

3. Mason jars

This is a classic DIY tool. Once you’ve selected the mason jar you want to craft, paint the inside with a few different shades of pastel. This will keep your surfaces clean and chip free while still maintaining the glossiness of the jars. From there, use the painted jars as pots for flowers, makeup brushes or pens and pencils.

4. Coffee bean candles

With the holidays fast approaching, this DIY project is sure to be a favorite of any caffeine-addicted college student. Place vanilla, pumpkin or peppermint scented tea lights into a small bowl of coffee beans. The warmth of the candles will heat up the coffee beans and make the entire apartment smell like a french vanilla, pumpkin spice or peppermint coffee.

5. Pebble doormats or placemats

If you want an earthy vibe or simply love the outdoors, bring it into your home with pebble doormats or placemats. For the doormats, find or buy a typical doormat and, using a hot glue gun, glue large pebbles on top until it is completely covered. You can also place it inside to walk on with bare feet to improve circulation. For the placemats, find or buy clear, plastic placemats and, as with the doormats, glue small, flat pebbles on top. This will bring earthiness to your table and make it look like a cute cafe.

Arden is freshman in Business.

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