It’s that time again! Time to look around your dorm or apartment and think, “Hmm…let’s spruce things up.” Which we all love to do, until we look at our budget. So, how do we stay right on top of that budget while making our space beautiful?
1. Opt for an aesthetic wall.
One of the best things for your wall is a photo or aesthetic gallery. But let’s skip the frames; we don’t want to hammer anything down except our own aesthetic. To do that, grab a flash drive stuffed with photos of your choice and take advantage of Willis’ free printing. After that, stop by any local grocery store to grab a pack of Command Strips ($5-$6 per pack). 4 strips a picture gives you 4 pictures a pack, leaving your wall looking fresh!
2. Use up the under-bed space.
Storage is a pain in college housing, so don’t be afraid to utilize any space under the bed, under the desk, or anywhere else you can find. It’ll leave your bedroom looking so much cleaner. And…it’s free! If not, some local grocery stores carry plastic storage containers that run $5-$10 apiece. One or two normally does the trick.
3. Be real, but not with your plants.
I love fresh flowers as much as anyone else, but they’re not so good for the budget. I spent around $40-$60 a month on flowers during the summer, and let’s just say…be real, but not with your plants. Fake plants are cheaper and last longer. They don’t need as much maintenance, either. It’s better to find these at craft stores, where they run $2-$5 on a reasonably sized vase and $20-$30 for a solid arrangement that’ll last years.
I hope these three tips will help you bring some beauty to your place and some peace to your budget.