How to Decorate your Student Accommodation on a Budget

Moving into student accommodation is an exciting milestone, but decorating your new space without breaking the bank can feel a bit overwhelming.

The first thing you’ll likely want to do is transform your room into a cosy, personalised home.

Luckily, there are plenty of budget-friendly ways to achieve this.

Whether you’re into DIY projects or a little bit of retail therapy, the possibilities are endless!

From simple decor hacks to creative tips, here’s how you can make your student accommodation feel like home without overspending.

Set a Budget

Before you start shopping, determine how much you can afford to spend.

Although you have just received your student loan, remember that you have rent to pay among other expenses like food. Do not spend all of this money on your room.

Keep a list of expenses you need to cover, and then factor in how much you can spend on things such as bedding and decorative items.

There are always objects or pieces of decor that you are going to be drawn to.

However, it is important to only buy what you can afford. Or, be innovative and try and recreate the item yourself.

Sticking to a budget will help you prioritise purchases and avoid overspending.

Utilise Existing Furniture

Most student accommodation come with basic furniture such as a bed, a desk and a chair.

Instead of buying new furniture, think about how you can enhance these existing pieces.

For example, you could add colourful cushions or a throw blanket to the bed to make it more comfortable and inviting.

If you want to personalise your desk, you can get a colourful desk mat or mouse pad.

It is a simple yet cost-effective way to make your accommodation your own.

Bedding

When you start decorating your new university room, bring some homely essentials such as stylish bedding.

Having cool bedding is probably the easiest way to personalise and decorate your accommodation on a budget as it can immediately make your space feel like home.

It can also introduce some colour into the room, as university accommodations can be quite plain.

Shops like Dunelm and Primark stock a wide variety of bedding that are reasonably priced, and ideal for university students.

Buy Blankets

Once you have sorted your bedding, you should invest in a blanket or throw.

Blankets are a good way of decorating your room, as they can add a big pop of colour.

Blankets will also be helpful in the winter when it gets cold, a cheaper alternative than using the heating.

You can find cheap blankets in Primark and TK Maxx.

Or if you want something a bit more fancy, you could look in IKEA.

Get Creative with DIY

A great way to personalise your space is through DIY projects.

You can create your own wall art, upcycle furniture or even make decorative items from materials you already have.

An easy way to start is to draw or paint. You can get cheap supplies at places like The Works, Poundland, The Range, B&M and Home Bargains.

For inspiration on what to draw, use Pinterest.

Pinterest provides thousands of different ideas depending on what you want to create.

Wall Decor

Wall space is often limited but you can make the most of it with decorations.

When putting things like posters or frames onto walls, use removable wall stickers to prevent damage.

Damaging the walls can be a costly mistake when at university, so be careful.

Hanging fairy lights or photos using string and clips can create a cosy atmosphere without much expense.

You could also buy a tapestry. This can change the whole look of the wall without any permanent damage, and you can also take it down and change the style whenever you like.

Print off Pictures

FreePrints is a business that gives you 45 free 6×4 photos a month. All you have to do is pay for delivery which is usually around £3.

You can frame these images or you can create a collage of your friends and family, album covers, posters, or whatever your heart desires.

If you want bigger pictures, you can pay an extra fee, but this is still a cheaper option than other retailers.

This is an easy and cheap way to instantly decorate your space, rather than needing to go to an actual shop that prints off high-quality images.

Have Plants

Adding plants to your space can liven up the atmosphere and add a bit of green to your space.

Consider low-maintenance plants like succulents or spider plants, especially as you may not get a lot of natural light in the room.

Alternatively, if you are not keen on looking after real plants, get some fake ones.

Primark is a perfect place to get some fake cacti, succulents and hanging plants.

Most of the time, they also come in pretty plant pots with cool patterns that will add some character to your room.

Buy Storage Containers

Make the most of your student accommodation by organising it efficiently. This will ensure that you actually have space to move around.

Get some under-bed storage to keep your room tidy and more spacious.

It is also wise to get some desk organisers to keep your workspace tidy.

You could also buy some wardrobe organisers, as you may not have a lot of space for your clothes.

Use Fabrics Wisely

Fabrics are a good way to make your accommodation feel like home.

For example, if your living space has a wooden floor or even carpet that you don’t particularly like, you can get a rug.

Rugs can be expensive, so make sure to buy one that is within your budget and a good place to look are second-hand shops.

Pillows can also be an easy way to decorate your room.

Pillows come in all sorts of shapes, sizes, textures and patterns, so you can choose ones that match your personal style.

Mix and match different pillows to create an inviting environment.

Add Small Ornaments

The main aim of decorating your university room is to make it fit your own

Add little trinkets such as a dreamcatcher, or hanging ornaments.

Primark offers a wide range of trinkets, such as dishes to hold jewellery or keys, seasonal ornaments and more.

Etsy is also a good place to browse when looking for little trinkets or ornaments, especially if you want something unique and handmade.

Lamps

Buying a lamp can show off your taste and style. Lamps offer a softer glow compared to the harsh ceiling lights.

Lamps come in different shapes and can be engraved with pretty designs.

Not only will they create a snug setting, they will be visually appealing.

Some university accommodations may permit occupants to put up LED strip lights which can be useful in creating dim colourful lighting compared to the ceiling lights.

Get Candles

Most university accommodations allow you to have candles in your dorm.

Having candles can really make your accommodation feel like home.

They can also add personality to your room, especially if you buy them from Primark.

Primark sells all sorts of candles in different shapes, sizes and colours.

However, if your accommodation does not allow you to have candles, you can buy fake candles that come with an LED light.

Although you won’t have the candle’s aromas, you can still get the low lighting and aura that candles offer.

When decorating your room, remember to keep it simple and try not to buy too many items as you have to move all of your stuff into a new place next year.

You don’t want to buy big and bulky items if you aren’t going to be able to transport it.

Decorating your university accommodation on a budget is not only possible but a fun way to add your own identity to your living space.

These tips will help transform your room into a stylish space while still being able to afford other expenses.