When I was a sophomore, I thought the best way to make my dorm room fall-ready was to buy a hay bale. In theory, I thought it would make the room festive, and add an extra seat for all my inevitable guests. In reality, it made a giant mess and was very uncomfortable to sit on, what with pieces of straw poking through my cheaply made leggings and all. Now that I’m a senior, I have found some more successful ways to decorate dorm rooms or apartments for Halloween and I’m here to share my wisdom with you so you don’t make the same mistakes that I did.Â
1.    Hang leaf garland
To keep your guests wondering “are we indoors? Are we outdoors?”
2.    Decorate with pumpkins
Whether they’re full-sized and painted or miniature, nothing screams “FALL” quite like pumpkins do.
3.    Put out a bowl of candy
And make your guests say “trick or treat” to get a piece. Or use it as positive reinforcement to motivate you to get your homework done.
4. Â Â Â Buy festive napkins
Because the best way to clean up a mess is with a pun, right? (Plus they were on sale at Michael’s)
5.    Decorate your door
And make sure your whole floor knows how festive you are!
6.    Hang Halloween-themed pictures on your wall
If you’re getting bored of your walls, find some artsy fall foliage or haunted house pics OR rip out magazine pages of celebs in costumes to mix it up and get you feeling the season.
7.    Buy fall-scented air freshener
A few weeks ago, my roommate and I bought the Airwick Freshmatic at Price Chopper and nothing makes me feel more ready for fall than waking up to the smell of “Mom’s Baking.”
8.    Make a themed playlist
Nothing sets the mood better than the perfect music. If you’re feeling fall, then go for songs like “Autumn Leaves” by Ed Sheeran or The Neighbourhood’s “Sweater Weather,” but if you’re just trying to get in the Halloween spirit, then nothing beats the classics like “Monster Mash” and “Thriller.”
Happy decorating, collegiates!
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