By Anabel Riley
Moving into student accommodation can be quite an experience. For a lot of people, it’s their first time moving out from home and having their own place to live in (and look after!). It can seem daunting, but the process can actually be both exciting and satisfying. You’ll probably spend a lot of time in your room, especially under current circumstances, so it’s nice to give your room a personal touch! This post will outline many ways you can make your room homely on a student budget.
THE WALLS
Often a dull, white colour, the walls in halls can be quite dreary. However, there are easy ways to liven them up! Popular ways of doing this include decorating with bunting, photos and posters. Hanging up big flags can be a great way to celebrate your heritage or remind you of home if it’s further away. Also, you can immediately change the vibe of your room by hanging a colourful tapestry! A hanging chalkboard or whiteboard can also be a fun addition as friends and family can leave their scribbles or messages.
THE LIGHTING
Starting with the obvious, fairy lights are a student favourite to brighten up a room and give it a little sparkle. You can experiment with different colours and shapes before winding them around furniture. Introducing a more comforting glow to a student room can make a huge difference as the main lighting is often rather harsh. This is also true for bedside table lamps, if you’re provided with one. Buying a new bedside lamp is an inexpensive way to warm a room.
THE FURNITURE
The provided furniture is often quite old-fashioned. If it isn’t to your taste, there are ways you can disguise it! Cover drab chairs with soft, colourful throws and pair with funky cushions! This can quickly remove the dingy feel of a room. If you have the space, you could also buy some small pieces of furniture, such as a coffee table, which you could pick up for a bargain at a local charity shop or a store like IKEA.
THE BED
Your bed will probably take up quite a large amount of space in your room and you might spend a lot of time chilling in it. To make your bed cosier, it can be a great idea to invest in some soft, aesthetically pleasing bedding. Grabbing a nice throw and some comfy pillows can also make a big difference.
THE FINAL TOUCHES
As well as the bigger alterations, small additions to your room can make it extra homely. Keepsakes can add more of a personal touch and plants can brighten up the room. Having a nice laundry basket can help to keep your room presentable. Also, a scented diffuser can work wonders to keep your room smelling fresh! Last but not least, one of the best things I’ve seen is a tea station, with a kettle, nice mugs, a selection of teas and maybe even some cheeky biscuits – if this isn’t homely, I don’t know what is!