How to make your student accommodation feel like home
Living away from home for the first time can be exciting, but it can also be daunting. Having your own space that feels like home can help you to relax and settle into student life. Here, Laura Dickerson (Pobl Student Letting Manager) shares her top tips for making the most of your new bedroom on a budget.
Lighting
The right lighting can transform the mood of your room and doesn’t have to cost very much. Spread your lights around your room, perhaps one on your desk and one on a bedside table and see how it helps to transform your space. Make use of a reading light as you relax on your bed: you don’t always have to study at your desk. Battery powered fairly lights on your shelves can make a real difference at night.
Desk
Your desk is where the magic happens: to ensure productive study time be sure to purchase a desk tidy. These are just a few £s and can neatly store your stationery. Organise your desk drawers so that you can easily access everything you need and finally adjust your desk chair to the correct height to suit your back, so you don’t get uncomfortable.
Cushions and throws
There are loads of affordable, cushions and throws that are one of a kind and will personalise your space instantaneously. Find bargain designs to suit your style at places like Dunelm Mill, Asda or IKEA. If you’re not sure what colours to go for, take inspiration from other things that are already in your room: perhaps a cushion to match some artwork, or a throw that ties in with your bedding? A clean space is a clean mind so change your room to suit your personality and enjoy your room.
Bedding
Getting a good night’s sleep is one of the most important ways to keep your mind working. We supply 4ft queen sized beds in our accommodation to make your sleep that much better, so why not invest in some great pillows and cosy duvets to make it a match made in heaven? A weighted blanket can help with switching off at night. Primark, Home Bargains and B&M Bargains are great stores to buy quality items at reasonable prices.
Go green
Plants can bring a sense of air and freshness to any room and can be bought cheaply from supermarkets or local gardening shops. Take a look at how some of our students at Clarendon have enhanced their living space using greenery:
|
@girlwhaircut
|
@lolly_tries_art
|
Accessories
Why not add some battery powered candles to change the mood? Or perhaps some photos of home / friends to personalise your shelves? Your room is your space so make it special. A small rug at the entrance can make it feel really homely and lived in, these can be bought from as little as £5, and can make a huge difference. Add a monthly planner to the noticeboard in your room to help organise your social and University events: this will keep you on track and ensure that you never forget the fun things!
Clutter
Try and avoid a build up of clutter in your room. You need space to unwind and relax, as well as studying hard. Invest in some storage boxes (or even get some cardboard boxes for free from a supermarket!) to pack away items and easily store under your bed. Investing a little bit of time into keeping things neat and tidy can have a huge impact on your mood and productivity.
This article is sponsored by Pobl Student Living. We are a not-for-profit organisation that offers affordable accommodation on the Aberystwyth seafront, with inclusive bills, excellent customer service and fabulous sea views. Find out more at www.poblgroup.co.uk/aber or follow us on Instagram @poblstudentliving
Articles like these help fund the students’ union to support activities and services for Aber students.