This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at Kenyon chapter.
1. Use Washi tape.
Washi tape (Japanese decorative tape) can be used in a variety of ways. Make your bookshelves more colorful by lining the edges or use Washi tape to make colorful frames for your posters or pictures on your wall. You can also create colorful designs on your walls that won’t leave the sticky residue of duct tape.
2. Use potted plants to add some nature and color.
Potted plants can liven up a room while bringing some of the outside inside. Having some nature in your room will have fight those cold weather blues, especially when there is snow on the ground. Seasonal plants are obviously easier to find, but buying bouquets also brighten up any space while adding some nice flowery smells.
3. Use floor cushions to add color and more seats.
College dorms and apartments never provide enough seating and attempting to fit 6 more chairs will just make your room look cluttered and extremely difficult to navigate. Use floor cushions as extra seating because they are easy to store under beds and in cabinets or in some cases they can be used as extra storage places. Most of them come in fun colors which will also add to any room.
Don’t have room for a TV? Cut a hole out of one side of a shoe box, replace with a magnifying glass, place in iPhone streaming your favorite movie/TV show, and enjoy.
* Disclaimer: I am not 100% this works, but according to an avid Pinterest user, it works like a charm.
5. Make a colorful rug to brighten up your room/living area.
Rugs break up the monotony of a wide expanse of brown carpet. They can create a homier feel and add some color to any room. Most stores sell rugs for about $10-$20. However, if you’re feeling crafty, here is a link to how to make your own rug out of old t-shirts.
6. Use electric tea lights.
Candles create a lovely ambience and come in handy when the power goes out. Unfortunately, they are banned from most college dorms and apartments because they think that we might burn the building down or something. However, electric tea lights provide the same ambience while still being fire safe. Put some in painted mason jars to have fun colored lights or patterns.
7. Use Christmas lights.
Christmas lights are a space saver. They provide a soft light, but are easily hung on the walls with Command hooks. Wal-Mart sells small clear Command hooks that blend into the wall once they are hung up, which makes your Christmas lights more subtle. Plus, Command hooks are approved by Res Life and maintenance to hang on the walls. Just remember to unplug them where you are not using them!
8. Line clear plastic containers with decorative paper.
Store things in clear plastic totes or drawers and line them with decorative paper. Not only does it make the containers more fun and add color to the room, but it also hides whatever you are storing in the containers, so it’s a win-win. You can also decorate the lid with Washi tape (see #1.)
9. Have throw pillows.
Throw pillows make any room feel homey while also adding pops of color. Buy neutral throw pillows and then get crafty! You can make throw pillow covers so you can continually change the look of the room and even make them seasonal without having to buy 50 million different throw pillows. They can also become seating if people have to sit on the floor. Throw pillows can become comfy seat cushions for guests.
10. Use curtains.
Curtains not only add color to a room, but also hide a room from any Peeping Toms! You can use them to block the windows while still letting the sunlight in. By using fun colors you can also brighten up your room while the sun is out and have pops of color when it is night out.
Most of these suggestions will cost $20 or less. They are all fairly easy with relatively high success rates (let me know about the magnifying shoe box). Living in spaces that are the size of said shoebox is never easy, but at least you can make it awesome with a little crafty resourcefullness!