The new school year is just beginning and you’re all unpacked and settling in. Whether you have just occupied a dorm or are in the same apartment you had last year, it’s always fun to decorate and craft! Why not get your roommates involved in the creative process? Crafting is a great way to bond with newbies or to reconnect after a long summer apart. Since we love all things girly (And simple. And cheap.), we compiled a list of a few cheap and easy DIY projects we’re sure you’ll love!

DIY Accent Pillows

Leave it to LC to take her great style from fashion and beauty to home decor! To make these DIY accent pillows via Lauren Conrad, all you need is a few cheap throw pillows, fabric paint, and some sponges/stencils! Depending on how crafty you are, you could even add some cute embellishments such as buttons or lace for a frilly, feminine touch.

T-Shirt Rug

These t-shirt rag rugs via Molly Kay Stoltz are a great way to add some color, and some cushion, to your otherwise drab flooring. The best part? All you need are a few t-shirts and scissors! Choose shirts to match your space’s color scheme, or go with your school colors. Get your girls together, pop in your Pretty Little Liars DVDs, and get to cutting!

Photo Frame

There’s no mistaking that girls love to take (and display) their photos, especially when they leave friends and loved ones at home. This is a great way to display photos without putting a bunch of pesky holes in the wall. Thanks to this nifty idea via Goodwillionaire, you can have this adorable frame by spending only a couple of bucks. Buy a cheap frame, paint it, and simulate the “clothesline” effect to display your favorite pics!

Magnet Board

From to-do lists to reminders and messages for your roommates, everyone needs a place to keep their important notes. These adorable magnet boards are made from baking sheets and spray paint, via Crate Paper Blog. The tutorial even includes instructions for making the cute magnets shown above. Get creative with this one, and opt for chalkboard paint to turn your magnet board into a chalkboard perfect for reminding your roomie that her boyfriend called, or that you have a huge exam next week!

T-shirt Quilt

How great is this T-shirt quilt via Stars for Streetlights?! Have each roommate make one from their old high school tees, combine your shirts and throw the quilt on the living room couch, or go thrifting and buy as many unique tees as you can find. This can be done very affordably, and is a great keepsake for the future with not only memories from the t-shirts themselves, but also from the time you made it with your best friends!

So go ahead and plan a craft night with your roomies — and let us know what you create!

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