This post is sponsored by Xbox. All thoughts and opinions are 100% my own.

If you are headed to college for the first time or you’re a graduate like me, you know that the best part of the back-to-school time is decorating. I remember when I got my acceptance to the University of Utah and immediately started planning out what my dorm room would look like. I wanted it to be a place where I could study, hang out with friends, and relax. Although I am no longer in a dorm room, I have some tips and tricks on how to turn your dorm room or apartment into a place that your friends will want to spend time in!

I recently started updating my living room. After living in my apartment for four years and barely ever making use of the space, I thought it might be time (understatement of the century). The first new addition to my apartment was the Xbox One S All-Digital Edition sent to me by Xbox. After I received the All-Digital Edition of the Xbox One S console, I decided to purchase my first TV console! For furniture additions, I recommend going to local yard sales and doing some research on Amazon. You never know what you might stumble on. Now that I had a place for my TV and Xbox One S All-Digital Edition, I wanted to make my space a little cozier. 

Here is the formula I recommend:

Step One: Add a rug to bring color and warmth (and to distract from what may not be the most beautiful carpeting underneath). I have never had hardwood floors in my adult life which is why I recommend getting a rug first. IMO, it’s the fastest way to uplevel your dorm room.

Step Two: Twinkle lights are a must! I bring out my twinkle lights anytime I have friends over for the night to add a little extra ambiance and to help provide extra light because my living room has no overhead lighting.

Step Three: Poofs, pillows, cushions, oh my! If your dorm room doesn’t have space for a couch, then substitute with beautiful accent cushions. It’s are an affordable seating option that won’t take up too much space.

A few other things to add to your living space: candles or a diffuser to make your room smell amazing, framed art or posters for an elevated look, and of course … plants! 

Now that you’ve created a space that you love it’s time to show it off. I recently had my friends over to watch a movie and play a few of my favorite games on the Xbox One S All-Digital Edition. My favorite games to play with a group are Drawful, Supermarket Shriek, and Goat Simulator. The best part about my Xbox One S All-Digital Edition is that I don’t have to buy any games on a disc! The Xbox One S All-Digital Edition Bundle includes a 1-Month Xbox Live Gold subscription so I can watch all the shows I want from Netflix, Amazon, and Hulu and choose from thousands of games too. 

With the tips I shared, your dorm room or other living space can be cozy and entertaining.

Xbox One S All-Digital Edition is under $250 making it the most affordable way to start playing Xbox One games. If you are looking to make your dorm room or new apartment a space that your friends will want to hang out in, check out the newest member of the Xbox One family of devices. 

Thanks Xbox for sponsoring this post!

Photos by Camber.

Rug borrowed from The Boheme Project.