Now, most people aren't lucky enough to get one of the few private dorm rooms available in some halls, so you'll likely be sharing a space with at least one other student. What this means, is that you'll have to be mindful of your roommate's space while still making the most of your own. And frankly - during my years of undergraduate and graduate school, I got pretty good at choosing dorm room d'cor that was functional and stylish (if I do say so myself).

Some of my best dorm room decorating tips include:

"Building a frame that fits along all four walls (top and bottom) and affixing a neutral(ish) fabric to the frame with a staple gun. This helps to soften the institutional look of a dorm room and act as paint when painting isn't allowed. (Obviously before you try this dorm room decorating tip, you'll want to get your roommate's buy off on the fabric.)

"Animals aren't typically allowed in dorm rooms, but having something alive in a room can help make your space feel more like home. So decorate your dorm room with a couple of well-chosen, easy-to-care-for plants, such as succulents. They don't require a lot of attention, but they do give your space a lot of life.

"Getting a soft, colorful rug that takes up a fair amount of space can help warm up the cold look of most dorm rooms.

"Take dorm room decorating to the next level with easy-to-install closet organizers, under-the-bed drawers on wheels, and stackable boxes that can sit on your shelves or desk to keep your small things organized.

"Head to your bookstore or shop the online bookstore for school-themed accessories to decorate your dorm room. They'll usually have a host of blankets, clocks, picture frames and towels to give you the functionality you need and add a little color and spirit to your space. One great idea - use logo glasses or mugs to hold your pens and pencils - then if you find you need an extra cup, you can simply put the pens aside.

"If you have the space, buy a small microwave cart and put it in an unused corner. With the cart, you can store your dishes beneath the microwave and keep all of your cooking gear in one place.

One good thing about living in a dorm room these days (as opposed to when I was doing it just a few short years ago) is that dorm room d'cor has really come a long way. Luckily, living in small spaces - and doing the most with what you have - is so en vogue right now that there are even shows devoted to the subject on cable. So before you move from the comfort of your parents' home into a less-than-spacious dorm room, do some browsing, check out the wares at your bookstore, then settle in front of the TV for more tips on making the most of your small space.