Decorating
Decorating: How to Make Student Halls Feel Like Home
Turn a bare room into a welcoming space for work, rest and play
There’s no place like home, but if you – or someone you love – is off to university, you’ll be on the lookout for ways to make student digs feel more inviting. Here are 10 ideas to get you started – and there isn’t an inflatable chair or novelty poster in sight!
Alter the lighting
Standard halls lighting consists of a single pendant plus a desk lamp if you’re lucky. Add a string of paper lanterns or fairy lights to dramatically change the mood of the room when study time’s over and you want to relax.
Standard halls lighting consists of a single pendant plus a desk lamp if you’re lucky. Add a string of paper lanterns or fairy lights to dramatically change the mood of the room when study time’s over and you want to relax.
Play around with wall stickers
In temporary accommodation, easy-to-remove wall stickers are your friend. There’s a huge choice available, from words to pictures to quirky speech bubbles like this one.
In temporary accommodation, easy-to-remove wall stickers are your friend. There’s a huge choice available, from words to pictures to quirky speech bubbles like this one.
Add a rug
Let’s be honest, the carpets in your average hall of residence aren’t going to be a treat for your toes. Cover up institutional flooring (and its inevitable miscellaneous stains) with a big, bold rug.
See more ideas for decorating with zigzags
Let’s be honest, the carpets in your average hall of residence aren’t going to be a treat for your toes. Cover up institutional flooring (and its inevitable miscellaneous stains) with a big, bold rug.
See more ideas for decorating with zigzags
Layer cushions
In a multipurpose uni bedroom, a single bed needs to pull double duty as a sofa. Treat yourself to some inexpensive cushions and pile them against the wall to create a comfy spot where you and your friends can relax.
In a multipurpose uni bedroom, a single bed needs to pull double duty as a sofa. Treat yourself to some inexpensive cushions and pile them against the wall to create a comfy spot where you and your friends can relax.
Change your sheets
Bed linen is one of the easiest ways to change the look of a room, and the brighter the better. Go for vibrant stripes or colourful oversized florals for a cheery feel.
Bed linen is one of the easiest ways to change the look of a room, and the brighter the better. Go for vibrant stripes or colourful oversized florals for a cheery feel.
Get a houseplant
Never underestimate the power of plants to make a room feel homely. Cacti are the classic low-maintenance choice, or try a butterfly palm or ficus for a big burst of greenery.
Never underestimate the power of plants to make a room feel homely. Cacti are the classic low-maintenance choice, or try a butterfly palm or ficus for a big burst of greenery.
Give friends somewhere to sleep
A chair bed (or sofa bed if you have the space) is a worthwhile investment, so friends from home can visit without having to sleep on the floor, and you get a cosy spot for lounging.
A chair bed (or sofa bed if you have the space) is a worthwhile investment, so friends from home can visit without having to sleep on the floor, and you get a cosy spot for lounging.
Don’t forget where you came from
Photos are a reminder of home and a great talking point. Using washi tape is a good way to stick them to walls and furniture without leaving marks – and it looks great, too.
See more ways to display photos
Photos are a reminder of home and a great talking point. Using washi tape is a good way to stick them to walls and furniture without leaving marks – and it looks great, too.
See more ways to display photos
Hang your snaps
If you want a more artistic way to display your photos, re-create this mini clothesline effect with a length of twine and simple wooden pegs. It works particularly well with photo-booth snaps and can be added to as your collection grows.
How would you personalise a student room? Tell us in the Comments below.
If you want a more artistic way to display your photos, re-create this mini clothesline effect with a length of twine and simple wooden pegs. It works particularly well with photo-booth snaps and can be added to as your collection grows.
How would you personalise a student room? Tell us in the Comments below.
Sticking up posters with Blu-Tack is a bit old hat – and not very friendly to walls. Instead, use large-scale, peel-off washi tape to add colour to bare white walls – it’s the next best thing to wallpaper.