As soon as I received my college acceptance letter in the spring of 2008, I was on a mission to find the perfect dorm room décor. My principle goal: to find the perfect bedding (at an affordable price). The lessons I learned about how to choose bedding for a dorm room can be applied to all searches for new bedding.

Consider the room

Because dorm rooms are generally a dull shade of aged off-white, I knew I wanted colorful bedding to add color and life to the room. My favorite color is green, but most retailers either had pre-teenish lime green comforters or middle-age sage duvets.

Be open-minded

So the first lesson I learned about décor was to be open minded. Although I had been set on green bedding, I allowed myself to look elsewhere for other colors and patterns that caught my eye and fell in love with Brocade’s Home’s Parisian Blue lace-print duvet.

Match colors in person

The second thing I learned about décor: a color may look different online than in real life. I was trying to match sheets and accent pillows to the online image, but realized that with such a unique color as “Parisian Blue” I just needed to have patience and match colors with my eye, not with the screen.

Use color tastefully

I learned a third lesson about décor when I moved into the dorm just by walking by other hallmates’ open doors: beware of neon-pink overdose. Some dorm rooms take “matching” a little too far, and their hot pink shag rugs, hot pink curtains, pink bedding, and zebra stripes burn my retinas. Reflect on the mood you want to create in a room before buying everything in one bold color. Matching isn’t everything; taste is.

Visit stores in person for deals

The fourth lesson I learned is about buying sheets: in-store specials can surprise you. Searching online for mattress pads and sheets was limiting because I couldn’t touch the material to test its softness, and again in the case of sheets, colors in magazines, catalogues, and online may not accurately reflect the true color of the item. After having little luck finding sheets to match my Parisian Blue duvet cover, I finally went out to Bed Bath and Beyond only to discover gorgeous sheets in the perfect shade of blue. In addition, a 20% off coupon made these great sheets a steal.

Expensive duvet? Try a cheap comforter.

Have a duvet cover but need a comforter to put it over? There’s no need to spend a lot on a comforter if the duvet is what you want to display. I suggest checking discount stores like Ross, Marshall’s, and T.J.Maxx where comforters are regularly sold for $10-20. Consider whether your duvet cover is a light color or may have see-through areas; darker, opaque duvet covers look fine even with printer or colored comforters inside, but white and other light-colored duvets may require solid-colored and similarly light-colored comforters inside.

Also keep in mind these basic tips:

• Storage is important. Minimize clutter to maximize the peacefulness of your space.
• Cool colors (blues, greens, purples, whites, black) make a room feel relaxed and calming. Your room is a more peaceful place conducive to sleep.
• Warm colors (reds, yellows, oranges, browns) energize a room and make it feel warm. Reds and other warm colors may make falling asleep more difficult; red wall paint increases appetite and may further decrease the ease at which you rest.
• Lighting sets the mood: Rather than turning on a harsh standard overhead light, try lamps and scones for a more relaxed and romantic atmosphere. A lamp next to the bed or by a chair instantly creates a peaceful reading or task area.

Choosing new bedding is very exciting; let the process of choosing your sheets define both yourself and your room.