The start of a new academic year is exciting in many ways: a new routine, new classes, new people and a new room! The latter, however, can be slightly daunting in that the space may not feel entirely your own. To help inspire you to brighten up your space and make your room comfy and cosy, here are some tips:
1. Cover the walls
Let’s start with an obvious one: photos. Being in student accommodation, the likelihood is your room will have boring plain walls in a bland colour. Covering the walls is a quick fix that instantly spruces up your space. Grab blue-tack, your favourite photos and get sticking – the more covered, the better. The good thing is, you can change up the prints easily and add more as you take new photos. I find free prints is great if you take a lot of photos: you get 50 free prints per month and only have to pay postage, so it works out about 8p/print. If you are less in to taking photos, a wall-hanging, map or poster is also a cheap and easy way to make your room feel more lived-in.
2. Bedding
It is easy to forget the importance of bedding in a room, but when you live in a small room a bed takes up quite a big amount of space. If you haven’t already bought your bedding, buy colours or prints you love, that aren’t too bright so they don’t go with anything, but aren’t too plain either. Otherwise, a colourful throw, cushions and pillow cases can really make a difference to a dim room. You can buy beautiful, unique and affordable throws in charity shops or online on ebay or etsy, for example.
3. Cork board
If you’re lucky, your halls may provide you with one. Then all that’s left to do is get pinning. Whilst they are certainly a useful place to keep important dates, reminders or notes, cork boards are also a great place to keep souvenirs. Leaflets, wristbands and travel tickets are all simple and free ways to add some memories to your room, to remind you of good times, places and people you may miss whilst at uni.
4. Fairy lights
Fairy lights are simple, yet very effective. Battery powered ones are a good idea if you don’t have many plugs in your room, but any will do. You can hang them on shelves, cupboards or the wall. Alternatively, you can put them round the edge of a desk, using tape to stick them down, to spruce up your study space and add light to your potentially dim uni room.
5. Scent
Your room is now probably looking great, but it may not smell so good. Make sure to air your room whilst you’re in it, keeping windows and doors open regularly. Room sprays or air fresheners are a good way to keep your room smelling fresh for a while, but an even lower maintenance option is a reed diffuser. Simply place the reeds in the bottom of the fragrance bottle. Over time, the reeds absorb the fragrance and release it into the air, keeping your room smelling fresh for a long period of time without needing you to do anything.
6. Plants
Having plants in your room is also a good way to keep the space fresh, bringing in oxygen. Fake plants are good for the decorative aspect, but wont change the air in your room. I personally like succulents, as they are low maintenance, so if you are forgetful or go away for the weekend they wont suffer too much without water.
Whilst these tips are a good place to start, what is most important is that you feel comfortable, so do what feels right to you. I hope these tips help in making your room your own space to relax – happy decorating!