Last semester, during my first year of college, I moved into a new home after my parents separated. It was odd being introduced to a completely blank room with no personality whatsoever. I was coming home almost every weekend that semester to help with the moving process, yet my new room still did not feel like it was my home yet.
At this point, I had lived in my dorm at school for many months longer then I had lived in my own room back at home, which is crazy to think about. It felt a bit like imposter syndrome at first, since when I would go home my room was still a blank canvas and I knew little about the area around my house or where simple things were in the house like a cup or even where the garbage can was. I feel like many students in college can relate to my situation too!
So, I wanted to talk about what I added to my bedroom that is pretty affordable to make it way cozier, fit my personality and overall make it feel like home. Even though it is stressful and difficult to move, know that you are not alone. <3
1) fAKE VINES
I love the outdoors, so adding vines of green wrapped around the things hanging on my walls and to the ceiling made my room feel a lot more like home!
2) A SALT LAMP
A salt lamp always gives warm lighting that is very cozy to me. They are also just really beautiful to look at.
3) WALL DECORATIONS
Wall decorations make a tremendous difference. In my previous room, all of my walls were either slanted or had a bookshelf built into it, so I barely had any wall space. In this new room though, I had four entire walls that were completely blank that needed to be filled.
I added art pieces from artists I met when I was traveling, many polaroid photos and I have a vintage flower wall of framed flowers that I absolutely adore.
4) FAIRY LIGHTS/DANGLING LIGHTS
These are amazing to have! I feel like main overhead lighting can be too bright and a headache in a room. You need to have some cozy lighting for when it gets later in the day. These lights can also wrap around things in your room like hanging picture frames or a bookshelf, giving that section a cozy atmosphere too.
5) CANDLES, AN OIL DEFUSER, WAX WALL PLUG IN OR INCENSE STICKS
I have all of these things in my room, but I don’t use them all at once, don’t worry. These make my room smell good and give a very cozy atmosphere when I have my other small lighting on.
6) A GOOD RUG
I ripped out my carpet so I would have hard floors in my bedroom, and I added two huge vintage looking rugs. It really ties my room together.
7) A THROW BLANKET
A simple throw blanket can do wonders at making a room cozier. I have one on my bed and one on my reading nook chair by my bookshelves!
8) GARLANDS
I love garlands. I have one that is knitted stars that is tied to the end of my bed, that one of my friends grandmas made. I also have a mushroom one by my window, and a few pom pom ones that I have on my record player and on the other metal frame of my bed!
9) A MIRROR
I just got an old mirror recently, and I did not realize how much of a difference it would make. It is very useful, but also just makes my room feel more put together too.
10) PRISMS FOR YOUR WINDOW
I love prisms in a window! When the sun hits off of them it creates a rainbow effect across your room; it’s so beautiful. I have a few handmade ones I got from Etsy and then a few from a thrift store that were from an antique chandelier!
11) BEAUTIFUL CURTAINS
Curtains help so so so much. I have two different sets that go over my blinds and my three windows. It not only adds extra privacy since I live in the city, but it makes my room feel way cozier.
12) LAY OUT YOUR HOBBIES
If you have hobbies, show them off! That is the way I think about it. For me, I have a few bookshelves and more stacks of books on the ground, an old wooden table for my tarot collection and a table for my record player and all of my records. It makes me feel way more at home when I see things that I am passionate about in the space that I am living in.
Remember, even though it is stressful and difficult to move, know that you are not alone. I just choose items and things that fit my personality best and what was most affordable for me based off of my dream room that I envisioned. It takes time to get acclimated, but having a room that makes you happy, safe and comfortable is the best way to start. <3