As the school year approaches and students flock back to campus, personalized decorations can make all the difference in making your residence hall room feel like a home away from home.
For many college students, the most crucial aspect of moving into a new space – aside from the essentials – is the decor, yet the unfortunate reality is that decorations are sold for a big buck these days. We’ve identified some simple and stylish ways to create that dream room you’ve always imagined without breaking the bank.
Quick and easy DIYs
If you’re not a fan of the color of your room’s walls, peel-and-stick wallpaper is your friend. This item can be found at any craft store, Amazon or Etsy for around $25 to $40 and can spruce up any space without any damage left behind. Peel and stick paper comes in a variety of colors and patterns, making them ideal for the personal customization of your space.
Host a paint night to get to know your residence hall neighbors. Michaels and Hobby Lobby have numerous options for affordable crafts, like canvases and a multitude of high-quality paints and brushes. You’ll create some personalized paintings to hang on your walls and get a chance to get to know your roommates better or even develop some new friendships.
If wallpaper or paint isn’t your thing, a collage that reminds you of home could be the answer. Arrange your favorite polaroids, posters and more to your liking and bring that blank space to life. Many online stores like Amazon, Etsy and Target sell premade, customizable wall collage kits from $10 to $20. The kits are often categorized by their aesthetics, allowing you to find the perfect one to fit your own style.
Items that can elevate your space
If you have space under your bed that you plan to use for storage, a bed skirt is an optimal way to keep your room looking tidy. While you can find underbed storage at any home decor store, these boxes can sometimes be a bit of an eyesore. Bed skirts are perfect for maximizing storage while maintaining an aesthetically pleasing space. Simple products are typically sold for about $15 to $25 at stores like Bed Bath & Beyond, Target and Walmart.
Vases and other glassware are a must-have to make a space inviting with some fresh flowers from Whole Foods or Trader Joe’s. Browse your nearest thrift store or home decor shops, like HomeSense or Hobby Lobby, and you’ll likely find some beautiful complementary pieces to add to your space.
Eccentric accessories
Full body or some smaller, multi-shaped mirrors are an effective way to bring more natural light into a room. Try placing your mirror across from the window, and it will reflect the light across the room, making the space much brighter and larger-looking. Most home decor stores ranging from Etsy to Target make for solid mirror-shopping destinations.
As overdone as they may seem, eccentric lamps and twinkle lights that you can hang across your room are perfect for creating any desired ambience. Any campus resident will tell you that the fluorescent lighting from your room’s overhead lighting is more stimulating than it is relaxing. If you need more subtle lighting to make your space feel welcoming, then twinkle lights are perfect for you. Twinkle or LED lights are an optimal way to create a serene interior environment, twinkling along the top of your wall for a relaxing overall aura.
Throw blankets and pillows are your best friend when it comes to bed decor. To save money, buy pillow inserts from a craft store like Michaels or any dollar store, which will give you the room to spend a little more on the covers and swap out the colors and designs to compliment your room’s aesthetic if you change your mind.
