When moving to a new place, such as a new city for university, there is so much for you to think about. With everything that you need to sort out, decorating your room or living space may end up low on your priority list, but it is way more important than you realise.
Creating an environment that represents you and makes you happy will help you settle in to your surroundings and give you a safe space for when you need some time to yourself. A well-organised and thoughtfully designed room also improves your mood and reduces stress1.
How to decorate your space
There are plenty of effortless ways to make your living space feel more like you, without having to put in too much effort. Here are some decorating tips and ideas.
Fairy lights
Battery-powered fairy lights are perfect for adding cosiness to a room and they are easy to get your hands on at shops like B&M, Dunelm and Amazon. You could even get wooden pegs and hang small photos on the wire to create a gallery surrounded by pretty lights.
Focus on colour
Adding colours you enjoy gives your room a fun and homey feel. A straightforward way to add colour is fun and stylish bedding. These can be found at shops like Next, Dunelm and Urban Outfitters, depending on what you’re looking for. Rugs, throws and pillows are also a great way to add more colour and even texture.
Display photos
Having photos of family and friends in your room can help to give you a taste of home and cheer you up when you are feeling down. If you like hanging framed photos, you can use Command Strips, which are easy to take off and do not damage the wall. Or you can place frames on your desk, bedside table, or windowsill if you want to avoid putting things on the walls. Budget friendly frames can be bought from B&M, Dunelm and Amazon for less than £10.
Make use of noticeboards
If the room you are staying in has a noticeboard, take advantage of this by decorating it with prints, posters, photos and mementos. This not only adds personality and life to your room by displaying your interests and experiences, but is a fun, creative activity! If your room does not come with a noticeboard, do not fret – B&M sell corkboards for just £4. I got one two years ago and it brings me so much joy to look at!
Add some greenery
Plants can add colour and life to a room. If you want real plants but do not want to put in too much effort, cacti and succulents are easy to look after (and are easy to maintain). However, if you do not want to worry about keeping a plant alive, fake plants are another option – you can get some very realistic ones, and they will look great all year round!
Get a reed diffuser
The smell of your room may not be something that you would originally think of, but scents can massively upgrade your space. If you are renting, candles are usually off limits due to fire risk, but reed diffusers are on the safer side. No matter whether you prefer clean, calming scents or fun, fruity ones, there will be a reed diffuser for you. They can be found at B&M, TK Maxx, and even Aldi and Lidl!
Budget-friendly places to buy décor
You may be worried that decorating your space is going to make a big dent in your wallet, but this does not have to be the case! Here is some places you can get great decorations without spending too much money.
B&M
B&M is one of those stores that stocks almost everything, and décor is no exception. They have a vast range of decorations for both your bedroom and elsewhere around the house, from super-soft pillows and blankets to bathmats and lamps.
IKEA
IKEA is a household name when it comes to DIY and décor, and for good reason. Their furniture and decorations are great quality, so will last a long time, and are reasonably priced. IKEA is great for lighting options, rugs, and plants (real or fake).
TK Maxx and Homesense
Similarly to B&M, TK Maxx has almost everything. Most of their stock is made up of reduced-price designer that did not get sold when they were first released, meaning that you can get high quality items from popular labels without breaking the bank! They also own the company Homesense, which provides stylish décor for every room of the house at budget-friendly prices.
Etsy
Etsy is a great place to shop for décor because there is so much to choose from. With so many sellers offering fun and fresh pieces, you are bound to find something that calls to you, whether it’s a colourful art print or personalised jewellery dishes. Plus, you get to support a small business!
Supermarkets
Whilst décor is not the main thing you go to a supermarket for, many of them have great home ranges. Morrisons, ASDA and Tesco all have huge home sections that provide decorations and homeware at low prices. Aldi and Lidl also sell home décor, but most products are only available for limited times, so you must be quick!
Vinted and second-hand
Vinted is a second-hand marketplace where you can find all sorts of home décor, and the prices are super budget-friendly. Similarly, other second-hand shops such as charity shops also stock homeware at low costs and the important thing about shopping second-hand is that you are helping the environment.