Whether your space is a tiny dorm room or an eight bedroom house, these ideas will give you some inspiration to help you make any space feel more like your home!
1. Make your own artwork
From minimalist patterns to colourful pieces, artwork instantly brightens up a room and adds personality to that blank wall. Art can get a bit pricey, so get creative and DIY your own! Tip: when buying large canvases, check the thrift store for canvas prints. You can paint over the existing image to make your own blank canvas at a fraction of the cost of a new canvas!
2. Add some green
Plants literally bring life into a room and help to purify the air. From larger potted plants in the living room, to herb plants on the kitchen counter, to smaller succulents for your desk, houseplants come in a wide variety sizes and price points. If you’re worried that gardening is more your mom’s thing, don’t be afraid to go for a fake plant! They can look just as good, and come without the need to water; win-win!
3. Hang curtains
Curtains are a relatively inexpensive way to instantly elevate a space. Instead of drilling holes to hang a curtain rod, you can use Command hooks! With so many colours, patterns and fabrics to choose from, you’ll definitely be able to find something that matches your style. You can even get plain white curtains and jazz them up with some fabric paint for a personalized touch!
4. Print photos
Bring your favourite people, places and memories with you to Kingston by filling your space with pictures! Frames are always a safe choice, but there are so many other cool ways to display your photos. Clothespins, binder clips, and cork boards are just a few budget-friendly (and easy!) options.
5. Use spray paint
What do an old nightstand from a sidewalk sale and a brand new generic IKEA chair have in common? They can both be transformed with spray paint. You could paint the entire piece, or use painter’s tape to section off certain parts for a colour-blocked look!
6. Find dollar store decor
With aisles full of candles, frames, decorative trays and other accent trinkets, you can definitely find a few gems from the dollar store. Tip: think about how dollar store items could be repurposed! For example, that cute trash bin could make a one-of-a-kind plant pot.
7. Have fun with it
You never know where you may find an awesome plant, or piece of furniture or artwork for your space. Grab your friends or housemates and check out local garage sales, farmer’s markets or thrift stores!