Although pimping Jason Wolff’s futon cost around $90, making your furniture nicer doesn’t have to cost an arm and a leg. Here are a few ways to spruce up your futon on half the budget.

Neon underglow lights ($20 to 40)

If you want to set a mood when people approach your futon, fastening a couple neon lights underneath it will give it that classy touch. Although they come off as cheesy if done the wrong way, they can be chic if done correctly.

Body pillow ($30 to 50)

Nothing beats a quick power nap before heading to your next class. If you splurge on a body pillow for your futon, it makes your uncomfortable mattress much more bearable. Just be sure to wake up for class, OK?

Memory foam mattress topper ($50 to 80)

It doesn’t take long for your mattress to wear out and have metal bars pierce your back. Instead of tossing the mattress, make a trip to Wal-Mart and pick up a mattress topper to put inbetween the frame and the mattress. You won’t be able to get a thick one for cheap, but it’ll do the trick.

Ottoman ($20 to 25)

You won’t truly be able to enjoy your futon unless you can kick up your feet and relax. An ottoman is a luxury you didn’t know you were missing. Big box stores such as Target offer fashion-conscious and comfortable ottomans for a respectable price.

Study tablets ($15 to 20)

Do you like to study and watch TV? Install a desk tablet. Go to the campus surplus store where you can find desks for cheap. Take off the desk tablet and screw it to your armrest. Voila! Now you can continue sort-of studying.

String lights of the non-holiday variety ($10 to 15)

Adding leftover holiday lights to your furniture is so passe. To find lights suitable to your personality, try big box stores or online outlets such as Cheesylights.com. Nothing expresses yourself like tiki head and NASCAR lights.

Glow-in-the-dark/textured paint ($5 to 10)

Don’t stub your toe in the middle of the night. Glow-in-the-dark paint is a suave way to bring your futon up a notch. And if you really want to zap some life into it, textured spray paint such as those made by Krylon will make even the dullest particleboard a masterpiece. Retailers such as Jo-Ann Fabrics will have what you’re looking for.

Plastic spinner rims ($20)

We ridin’ spinnaz! You can’t pimp your futon without adding the classy touch that plastic spinner rims provide. Find them at Wal-Mart for cheap, mount them on the side and you’ll be sitting in style.

– compiled by Robert Lombardi