You’ve found the perfect place. You’ve imagined all the memories you’ll make there – the people you’ll welcome in at the front door, the ramshackle get-togethers you’ll have in your living room, the (hopefully) delicious meals you’ll prepare in the kitchen. But what if your perfect new home is so tiny that you have to squeeze through the hallway just to get to the bathroom? Or what if it’s so dark inside that you can’t tell the difference between night and day once you’ve walked through the doors? No need to worry. Wolf Magazine has compiled the decorating and space-saving tips you need to make the most out of your first place.

Shelving

Let’s face it, no matter where you’re living, there never seems to be enough space for all of your stuff. This is where shelves come in handy. Discount retailers offer cheap, practical floating shelves to handle all of your space and decorating needs. Whether you use the shelves for Mardi Gras knick knacks you’ve accumulated over the years, or you just need a space to keep stacks of books, floating shelf décor can be shifted around to adapt to the look you’re going for.

Drawers

Whether you have space for a chest of drawers or not, extra drawer space always comes in handy. “I always found that the dorms never had enough drawer space, so a set of good-sized plastic drawers always gave me extra storage for clothes,” Cherie LeJeune, mass communication junior, said. “I still use them now that I’m off campus too. They’re cheap and a nice substitute for actual furniture, which no one can afford in college anyway.”

Curtains

Despite curtains’ practical use in blocking the sun, they can also be used to add depth to your space. Long curtains in particular can make rooms appear larger. They can add a pop of color or texture that a room may need, and they’re affordable, too.

Lighting

Good lighting is the best way to brighten up even the gloomiest of homes. According to the home decor blog Apartment Therapy, adding three different points of light (including overhead lights, desk lamps and/or floor lamps) helps to soften the room and add a warm, flattering ambiance.

Bedding

Your bed is where the most magical of human acts takes place – sleep. Make the bed your focal point, as it is probably the biggest thing in your bedroom. Discount department stores offer attractive, quality bedding without forcing you to spend a fortune.

Plants

Sometimes when you’re holed up in your room studying, it’s easy to forget that you’re even on planet Earth. Remind yourself by investing in a plant or two. Whether you prefer fake or real plants, the greenery can add life to your home.

Craigslist

People are always advertising garage sales and offering furniture at heavily discounted prices on craigslist. Not to mention, there’s a free section on the site. It’s worth your time and money to comb through craigslist postings for deals on furniture and decorative items like artwork and lamps.

Open Storage

That moment when you’ve unpacked everything in your house but you have no place to put your food is an annoyance that no one should have to endure. Invest in an industrial shelving unit from a discount retailer to store your food and cooking supplies, or any other items you just can’t seem to find a space for.