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laptop on desk
laptop on desk
Original photo by Julia Cloppse
Style > Decor

Lemme Upgrade Ya (Room Decor Edition)

This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at UVA chapter.

 

Whether you’re in need of a spring room refresh or just looking forward to next year’s decor, it’s always good to get inspired about your space. As a kid, about every month I would reorganize/redecorate my entire room, move furniture and showcase it to my parents. You really can just feel like a completely new person by just moving a couple of things around in your space. 

Although admittedly, my “apartment inspo” Pinterest board today mainly consists of city apartments with floor-to-ceiling windows and island hideaways surrounded by palm trees, why not try to implement some of that same energy into my little Charlottesville apartment bedroom? Our space is so important and doing or adding little things to make it more sacred can make such a difference in your overall mood. Coming home to (or more tailored toward our current situation, taking classes all day in) a space that makes you feel calm and inspired makes everyday feel like a vacation or a day in your “future dream house”. As they say, you have to romanticize your life. :) 

A place to start is rearranging some of your furniture if you haven’t in a while. Release some of that stale energy by moving things around and maximize your space by where everything is placed. Even something as small as moving your bed over or changing the positioning of your desk could make you feel like you have a whole new room. This process may (most likely) be sweaty but try it. Nothing like a bit of novelty or change every now and then. 

BRING NATURE IN 

In placing your furniture, take advantage of that natural light (if you’re lucky enough to have some). A place to start is making sure your bed isn’t facing away from your window; there’s nothing better than waking up and having sunlight shining in on you or seeing the morning sun right when you open your eyes. We all could use some vitamin D! Also, placing your desk in front of a window makes doing work feel a whole lot more “bright” and refreshing. You could be multitasking in your morning ZOOM class, simultaneously taking notes on a lecture while taking in the sun. Highly recommend. 

Desk in front of window.
Original photo by Julia Cloppse
Another way to make your room feel a lot more “natural” is some greens: house plants. Mine feel like my babies at this point and arguably, anything that makes your room feel a little bit like a greenhouse or forest is a worthwhile investment. Brightening up your desk with a little succulent or having a big palm plant sitting underneath your window is a sure way to bring some life into your space. Likewise, buy yourself flowers, get a vase, and put them in your room. You deserve it! Not only is this an excellent way to implement some self-care but there’s nothing like some bright pink roses or yellow daisies for a little pop of color.

Bedside table with vase full of flowers.
Original photo by Julia Cloppse

VIBES

Something I’m always aiming to do with my room is to make sure the vibes are just right. One mode of doing so is investing in a speaker and playing different music according to your mood or the time of day. Jazz in the morning, classical for doing work, feel-good music to get your mood or energy up, or pump up music for a little at home workout. Curate the sounds in your space to match your energy. Music also just sounds better when blasted. 

An investment I would really recommend is a “Sky lite” from Amazon. It truly makes entering your room feel like entering another galaxy and how could that ever be a bad thing? Secondly, in terms of lighting, Himalayan salt lamps can really bring your room that spa vibe. Not only has pink/red light been proven to help with falling asleep, but these lamps can really make your Sunday face mask a totally luxurious experience. These two light sources are both so relaxing and dare I say, “vibey”. Even if your room is simple and does not have much in terms of crazy wall decor, these things can totally amp up your room game with just a click of a button. 

-Speaking of wall decor, art prints (Society 6 has great ones) can elevate your room decor to artsy museum level, and they’re not crazy expensive.

Mirror reflecting a \"sky lite\" product.
Original photo by Julia Cloppse
Table with plant on in the corner of a room in front of a window.
Original photo by Julia Cloppse

AROMA THERAPY

I’m a big believer in the power of a good scent. To bring this into your room, get some delicious smelling candles! Holiday ones are fun (like cedar for winter or pumpkin souffle from anthropologie for fall) but right now, for this transition to spring, a floral scent moment can create that vacation, warm weather ambiance. I love to light a candle in the morning when I’m doing work during the day or at night; they really can just elevate any experience. 

Similarly in the scent department, another worthy investment is an essential oil diffuser to once again channel those spa vibes; grapefruit oils to energize and uplift or lavender to wind down at night. Your room will smell DIVINE, and they can really help better or shift your overall mood. They don’t say aroma “therapy” for nothing. 

GRATITUDE/INSPO

Remind yourself everyday of all of the amazing things in your life and everything that you hope to attract into your life. To do this, paste pictures on your wall, or put them in frames on your desk or nightstand. I love to just always have happy images capturing great moments around me all of the time. Friends from home, family, places that bring you peace. 

A mood board is also a great reminder to have in your room of all that you’re working toward or want in your future. Whether they be school or fitness related, goal setting is key to motivation, and reinforcing those goals with related images, or inspiring quotes that you see everyday keeps you accountable and clear on what you want in your life. Mine hides hung up in my closet but it’s something that I see every time I go to get dressed. 

MAKE YOUR ROOM NOT ONLY WORK FOR “PEACE” BUT FOR GETTING STUFF DONE: 

Making your workspace “workable” is KEY; how you set up your desk can really help to put you into that productive headspace for diving into work. I like to make mine feel like my own personal library or office and to do this, keeping a planner and calendar on your desk reminds you of your to-do’s and always helps to keep you organized and on track. Also, in general, but especially on your desk, make sure to keep surfaces clean and decluttered. Not only does this help declutter your mind, but who can get anything done without any surface area to work with? There are few things more satisfying than a clean and clear desk. 

Desk with laptop and wall prints.
Original photo by Julia Cloppse

Having these tips to think about and implement, now is the perfect time to strengthen your room game. For the past year, we’ve been spending a lot more time in them, so, why not bring to life that dream Pinterest board space with some of these small tips? Hope they help. :)

My name is Julia Cloppse, I am a third year at UVA and I'm from Staten Island, New York!
Nikki is a fourth year and a Biology major at the University of Virginia. Her loves in life include reading, animals, and cookies! Writing is one of her creative outlets and she hopes you enjoy her articles as much as she enjoys writing them!