Has your landlord said no to paint? Are you dealing with dodgy curtains? Does it feel like the magnolia walls are closing in? Fear not, we’ve rounded up some handy ideas on how to revamp your student digs – and none of them involve waving goodbye to your deposit.
While it’s unlikely you’ll have Hello! Magazine knocking on the door for a double-page feature in the next issue, these are cheap and cheerful fixes to brighten up your space for another term at uni.
Fairy Lights
Stores such as Home Bargains, Wilko’s, B&M and Primark all sell fairy lights for just a couple of quid. Add in some batteries and you’ve got atmospheric lighting all wrapped up. They make any space feel more cosy, festive or even intimate, and they don’t even need to be plugged in! They look good all year round and can be moved easily.
House Plants
Bring the outdoors in with a touch of greenery in your room or shared living room. The best bit about house plants is that they don’t even have to be real to brighten the place up a bit!
Most people can keep a simple cactus alive and the likes of the Japanese Peace Lily and spider plant are hardy and great air purifiers too. Find a clean pan or cup and give them a drop of water regularly and watch them grow. Student digs or greenhouse? You decide.
Reading Nook
Space may not be in abundance in your student digs. If you can rejig your room to make way for a comfy chair (check out the likes of Bulky Bobs online for £5 armchairs or Gumtree in your area) or maybe a bean bag, cushions or blankets, pile up all your favourite mags or books and escape the study, bed, eat, sleep routine in your own little reading nook.
Blu Tac
Probably a bit obvious this one but Blu Tac is your friend. As is White Tac and those sticky dots you can buy that don’t mark your walls. Landlord-friendly interior design is the name of the game. So why not take inspiration from the 90’s and adorn the walls of your student digs with gig posters, magazine cut outs, photos or even wallpaper freebies.
Did you know in the likes of B&Q you can take a reasonable size cut off of wallpaper as a sample! Go wild and get decorating. We recommend a Spice Girls and Take That playlist while you’re at it.
