By Elizabeth Smisolva

It is said that a clear desk equals a clear mind, a state hard to come by with a stressful college life. Do not underestimate the power of spring cleaning and decorating. The places we live in, albeit small and less than homey, inspire and comfort us. Organizing and sprucing up on a Ramen Noodle budget can seem impossible, so indulge your inner Martha Stewart and try to see your cramped space with a new perspective.

First, meet your new best friend: removable wall hooks. Not only will they leave the paint or wood flawless, but also they can hold a surprising load. Put some by the front door to hang your backpack or keys for when you’re trying to make your 8:30 a.m. in FMH. Hang necklaces, bracelets or hats on smaller hooks both to add personality and organize. They can also hold winter gear, such as scarves and hats, to make it that much easier to stay warm in what feels like Siberia.

functionality, hooks are also a great way to display art by Fordham’s very own Picasso: you! Even if you find the idea of drawing stick figures intimidating, do-it-yourself (DIY) projects provide an outlet for your creativity and are like an adult version of putting assignments you are proud of on the refrigerator. Since spring is approaching fast and those New Year’s resolutions are quickly disappearing in the rearview mirror, try making an inspiration board. Cut out words and pictures from magazines, or use ones that you have taken, and create a piece of art that costs close to nothing and that you can be proud of. Old picture frames or bulletin boards work great for this — try using colorful duct tape or spray paint to personalize your masterpiece even more. If you cannot get a certain expensive picture or piece of art out of your head, try to come up with a way to make it yourself. Even if it might not be an exact replica, it will be empowering and you will have more cash to spend at Tino’s.

An even simpler way to motivate yourself when summer seems years away is writing quotes on sticky notes and putting them on your mirror, closet doors or wall. Pinterest and Tumblr have good quotes, and when written on colorful notes, they can brighten both your room and mind.
The colder the air gets, the warmer and more inviting our beds become in the morning. So give your crib some TLC: adding a throw at the end of your bed instantly adds an element of warmth and color (there are some good cheap ones across the street at TJ Maxx). Also, decorative pillows add character and make your bed look like it came from a Home and Gardens magazine. You can also make DIY pillows with old t-shirts or fabric; look up videos on YouTube for some easy tutorials.

If one of your resolutions was to be a better student, then organization is key. Use functional under-bed storage to organize school books. Try using a crate or box, which you might already have. This clears space on your desk to further clear your mind. Colorful calendars visually order your life and can double as decoration when color coded or when made with colored paper. This is another time when sticky notes do more than you might have originally thought. Place them on the wall above your desk and assemble them to look like a calendar. Dry erase boards, cork boards and chalkboards also give the same results. Chalkboard paint — yes, it is an actual thing — can transform any canvas or old frame into a piece of practical art.

Since your desk should also be a place where you look forward to working, adding living things can literally add life to that boring macro homework. Plants can be expensive to buy every week, but fake flowers give off the same springtime vibe. Also, if you’re bored with the same old picture displays, try using sticky putty to arrange your pictures in a certain shape to make your room more unique.

final touch to any room is lighting. String lights add ambience and give an effect of candlelight that will not get you in trouble with your RA. The combination of a clean space, wall art, lighting and an inviting bed together equal a dorm room worthy of being pinned on Pinterest. Grab your glue gun and Clorox wipes and get ready for the rest of the semester!

Photo by Casey Chun/The Fordham Ram