Whether you traveled across the country or your family lives down the street from campus, adjusting to dorm and apartment living isn’t easy. Now that you’ve survived this year’s move-in day, it’s time to transform those four white walls into a new home – no matter how cramped your space may feel. Here are some helpful hints on how to make temporary housing feel more like a home.

Take pride in your space.

We’re all on college budgets, so expensive brand-name furniture is out of the question. That doesn’t mean you have to settle for that one bookcase you bought from Target and an uncomfortable twin-sized mattress. With do-it-yourself projects all the rage, there are plenty of ideas for stylish, cost-friendly furniture.

Make a bookshelf out of an old dresser by taking out the drawers, and add a little bit of color for your own personal touch. Better yet, recycle the drawers you’re about to toss and make them intoshelves. The options are plentiful, thanks to great sites like Pinterest or DIY Network.

Ask your friend to go with you to a yard sale or drive around well-to-do neighborhoods on trash day – you’ll be surprised what furniture goodies people are willing to throw away. Granted, not every project is easy, like this pallet coffee table. But when your friends admire your sweet new furniture, you’ll be even more satisfied knowing you created it yourself.

Personalize it.

There’s nothing cuter than a monogram, and you don’t have to be an artist to write your name in a fancy font. Check out this blog on how to make a monogram design. Paint your initials on a piece of reclaimed wood and hang it over you bed like a headboard. When you have a lot of roommates that share your space, it’s always nice to be able to put your name on something.

Add some light.

You’ll rarely get a decent amount of natural light in your apartment or dorm. Buy a lamp or two. If you’re feeling creative, find one at a consignment or a donation store for a couple dollars and dress it up with some fabric paint, embellishments or ribbon, like this.

Get a green thumb.

If you have a porch area, plant a pot of flowers. And if you don’t, houseplants are very easy to take care of. Check out this list for low-maintenance houseplants.

Have a home-cooked meal.

Apartments have kitchens for a reason. Meal plans and dining halls are convenient, but try to make yourself a meal at least one day a week when your schedule isn’t so hectic. It doesn’t have to be gourmet. Boil some pasta and buy some spaghetti sauce if your cooking skills are lacking or hazardous (no fires, please). Ask your mom for recipes you’ve always loved to remind yourself of the home you grew up in while you’re living in your temporary housing. Or check out websites like foodgawker that make finding recipes a lot less frustrating.

Get a pet.

Pet ownership isn’t for everyone, but if you’re responsible enough, then go for it. It’s nice to have someone to come home to that loves you unconditionally, especially during exam week. But remember, dogs mean dog walking and cats mean litter boxes.

Spice up the walls.

If you’re renting or living in a dorm, you can’t always paint the walls your favorite colors, but there are ways to bring life to that boring apartment-white color. Add a wall decal, a peel-and-stick design that’s easy to remove from your walls – see several options at this website. And don’t be afraid to hang artwork or pictures on your walls. Buy command strips at your nearest office supply store, and you don’t have to worry about your landlord getting mad about you nailing too many holes in the walls.

Buy a chair.

As a college student, this may be the best investment you will ever make. Have a comfy spot you can sit in at the end of the day when classes are running you into the ground. It might be the only place you can go that’s stress-free and drama-free that week. It’s important to know how to relax.