8 Ways to Decorate Your Uni Bedroom Without Breaking the Bank

Ahh… good old student accommodation. It never fails to be bleak and bland.

In my first year of uni, my mam and I arrived at my accommodation and I had never felt more thrilled to be starting a new chapter in my life… that is until I saw my room which looked nothing like what I’d seen on the open days. There was some kind of mud all over the floor, the walls were patchy from things being blutacked and, to top it all off, there was a rotten banana peel on top of the wardrobe. Why it was there, I’ll never know… but I genuinely feel like the landlords have some kind of fear of decent looking rooms??

My lovely first year bedroom, pre decorated

Yes, I know you’re only there for a year or so, maybe even less. However, just think about how much time you’ll actually be spending there studying (A.K.A doing the bare minimum and then taking a nap) and let’s be honest when everyone’s room looks EXACTLY the same how can you get to know them? Like it or not, your room says a lot about you.

So, here are a few tips on how to spruce up those dreaded uni rooms!

1. Bedding

First things first, your bedding! It’s probably the simplest way to personalise the room! Whether you like to keep it simple with plain white for a calmer room or go bold, coloured, and patterned to really add some life to the room, the choice is completely yours! I found that once I’d chosen my bedding, the theme of my room just came together.

2. Rugs

As I mentioned before, the floor in my first-year bedroom was gross. So, I bought a lovely grey rug which both hid the ugly red carpet and made the room seem so much bigger! It also meant when my friends came over, they actually had somewhere comfier to sit than just the hard floor. Even in my second-year accommodation, which had lovely laminate flooring, I still invested in a rug! I just think it breaks up a plain floor and gives a nice touch to the room. Although, my friends were probably a bit sick of me shouting “Get your shoes off my rug”.

3. Add greenery

Whether you go for real or fake, get yourself some plants! It’s good for the soul and one way to take a minimalistic approach to creating a decorative room! I had a little collection of cacti (I’m not blessed with the greenest of thumbs) and a beautiful orchid which added a pop of colour against my windowsill and was nice to wake up to every morning! If you’re a bit stuck for space, think vertically, and use hanging plants or long vines which can be especially eye-catching. I also found it relieved some of my stress and stopped my “let’s not get out of bed today” attitude too as my little plant babies depended on me!

4. Decorative cushions, pillows and throws

Anyone who knows me well, knows that these might be the most important things in the world to me. I can’t live without my decorative cushions! But once again, my friends are scarred from the screams of “Stop lying on those cushions! They’re decorative only”.

There’s just something about cushions that make a room seem more homey. Paired with a bed throw, it can stop your bed looking empty and transform it into a snug haven. Those throws also come super handy on cold nights!

Now pillows. I personally had 4 (double bed life) but would have added an extra 2 if it was a more permanent living situation. Layering up your pillows just adds some depth and texture as well as a more comfortable atmosphere than one lonely pillow. It’s just facts.

5. Photo gallery

Spice up those plain walls and shelves with some personal touches! I had photos everywhere both framed and unframed. Not only is it a great way for people to get to know you and what you’ve done, it’s a lovely reminder of the good times you’ve had! I also found having pictures of my family was soothing in times I felt homesick. However, it doesn’t have to be just photos. Since I love travelling, I also decorated with the postcards and ornaments I’d collected over the years! You could even use posters or a good old wall hanging!

6. Lights

For me, this is another essential. I found the lights in my accommodation to be either too harsh or too dull so it’s definitely worth buying some little fairy light type things or even a lamp. I had both, since I’m a bit extra. I chose coloured pompom lights which jazzed up my shelves and a salt lamp for that calming mood lighting.

7. Planner board and desk tidy

A planner board is something I have at home and wish I had brought with me. Uni can get hectic at times with all the deadlines you have and having a planner board is not only an empty-space-filler but would be excellent for keeping track of what has to be done each week instead of writing your to-do lists on scraps of paper like I did. Desk tidy are also a super cheap way to make your space seem more organised and clutter free, whilst allowing you to keep everything you need close on hand! A pretty desk will encourage you to sit there… maybe.

8. Folders, files, and books!

Don’t forget that these can all be used as decoration too because I know for a fact you won’t be using them to study. But on the off chance you do use them, at least you’re organised too! I went for bright coloured folders to jazz up my shelving space and mismatched the book sizes to add some variety to the look.

So this was the finished product of my second-year uni room and I was absolutely in love with it!

Honestly, I thought decorating your room was one of the best parts of university as it was a space you could call your own! It’s definitely a good idea to add elements of your personality into your décor because after all, it’s could be one of the first things that new people will see!

Hopefully these tips have been helpful in considering your uni décor or even if you just fancy sprucing up your current room!

What theme/ colour combinations did you go for in your room? Does anyone else also have a weird cushion obsession??

𝒰𝓃𝓉𝒾𝓁 𝒩𝑒𝓍𝓉 𝒯𝒾𝓂𝑒

Bethany x