One of the first rites of passage for practically every student moving away for college is the dorm room. They are often smaller than the bedroom the student had growing up, and that is in addition to having to share the dorm with a roommate. This cutback on space and privacy can be tough to adjust to, but it’s something you can make the best of with a little ingenuity. Optimizing the space you’re given can be an experiment in creativity and something you look back on fondly as you reminisce post-graduation about your alma mater. Here are a few suggestions for ways you can personalize your dorm room while getting the most out of it:

• The Futon. The old college standby, this piece of folding platform furniture can be both the bed and couch a room needs. Replacing the stock futon pad with futon mattress foam can transform it from a stopgap purchase into a long-term solution by making it as comfortable as any individual bunk or sofa. Even if you have your own bed, having a couch that opens into a folding bed with mattress space is great for friends crashing for the night.

• Lofts. Creating a loft utilizes the vertical space in a room that would otherwise go unused, giving you more floor space. A loft can have two beds stacked on top of each other like bunks, or a single bed can be lofted up high with an open space for a computer desk or entertainment area beneath. This concept can be extrapolated into something as extreme as treetop sleeping quarters that are like adding an entire extra level to the room.

• Bean Bag Chairs. What’s more fun to sit on than a comfy bean bag chair? Perfect for studying, relaxing and anything between, bean bag chairs today come in many fabrics, colors, and sizes so you can find one that fits your personality and your space. Their free-form shapes fit into tight areas where conventional furniture won’t, and if you really need the extra space, just toss them on a bed or in the closet – good luck doing that with a recliner!