Decorating tips that won’t break the bank

What do you think of when you hear the phrase “college apartment”? Band posters lining the… What do you think of when you hear the phrase “college apartment”? Band posters lining the walls and empty liquor bottles stacked on shelves? Generic paintings and furniture from IKEA or Target?

Unfortunately, this decor is the norm, but instead of being tacky or boring next year, move into a room or apartment with which you can be creative.

You don’t have to spend a lot of money on decorating your room or be a design diva to make it look good. Nor do you have to be cheap and sleazy by using empty boxes of Antoon’s pizza as a center piece on the dining room table.

Here are six easy ways I have decorated and furnished my apartment without spending excessive amounts of money. OK, maybe I spent a little money on unnecessary stuff, but trust me, no one wants to come home to white walls. Without decoration you’ll start feeling like you’re in prison — which for Towers residents, might be all too true.

1) Tapestries: Ah yes, the essential college tapestry. Cover your window with a sheet of trippy, hippie, Indian artwork or use it to jazz up any blank wall in your room. Luckily, I inherited a handful from my mom from her college days, but you can also purchase them at the Culture Shop or Urban Outfitters in South Side. They can be a little expensive ­­— around $35 ­— but they last forever..

2) Plants: Add a little life to your place in the gloomy months of November through April (yeah, that’s Pittsburgh for you). According to the Chinese system of aesthetics, Feng Shui, plants can bring energy, wealth and good luck into the home. Even if you think Feng Shui is bogus, many plants are proven to reduce pollutants in the air, which research shows can sometimes be worse indoors than outside. Some great plants that don’t require much water or sunlight are bamboo, cactus, or jade plants. You can usually pick these up in a small pot at the gift shop in Phipps Conservatory for around $5 to $10.

3) Light fixtures: Most lighting in dorms and apartments is dim and inadequate, so look around for a unique and colorful light fixture. If you ever want anyone, including yourself, to hang out in your room, some extra lighting is worth a small investment. My favorites are the paper star lights found at www.hometownevolutioninc.com for a reasonable $8.95.

4) DIY art work: Usually landlords won’t let you paint on the walls. If they do ­­— awesome — get ready to paint! If not, paint on something else and hang it up. All you need are blank pieces of paper or old cardboard boxes as your canvas, brushes and some watercolor or acrylic paints. If painting is too messy, find an old Lite-Brite set at a garage sale and create a design to stick on your windowsill.

5) Record bowls: If you go to any used record store in Pittsburgh you can usually pick up some unwanted vinyl for free. Pre-heat the oven to about 200 degrees then place the record on top of a large bowl. Put it in the oven for about 5 to 10 minutes and then take it out and quickly mold it around the bowl as you wish. Let it cool for 10 minutes and — ta-da! — you have a cool bowl to hold spare change, jewelry, or keys. (Don’t use these bowls for food, though — chemicals in vinyl can be toxic).

6) Inherited furnishings: Even if you are moving into an unfurnished apartment, chances are someone else lived in your apartment before you and they’ll leave something behind. We lucked out with a kitchen table, chairs and a couch. And even better, we found an old Coors Light Racing t-shirt under the cushions and hung it up. A free couch with free tacky wall art ­— now that’s a deal.