Tips on decorating your living area
As many of us are moving out – some for the first time – we’re probably looking to make our space reflect our personalities as much as it can. Here are some things to keep in mind to ensure you’re decorating a space that has character but is also cost-efficient.
When you’re buying big items for your space (bed sheets, furniture, area rugs, etc.), go with neutral colours. You can use decorative pillows, photos, and accent items to give your space more personality and colour. The same thing goes for choosing a colour for your walls – a more neutral colour will allow you to change the accents within the room.
Since you’re living in a student home, make sure you don’t invest in anything too nice. Elegant kitchen towels will not be seen as such by drunk 20-somethings. You may be moving out for the first time, so just get inexpensive (or even better, free) things that you can use for the next 4 years. Remember that a trip to Ikea for just a couple things always seems to turn into an hour long escapade that empties out your wallet.
A mason jar goes a long way. You can use them as glasses, a portable lunch container, a vase, and so much more. My suggestion is to invest in a box of 500mL mason jars and find new ways this staple can work for you.
Organization is key. Make sure you have a place for everything you own. Return your belongings to their space as soon as you’re done with them. This will not only make your space look nicer, but it will also cut down on your cleaning time each week. Personally, I also find that a clean room is easier to study in, so that’s always a perk!
Don’t underestimate the beauty of cleanliness. A fresh space (with a fresh scent) can bring elegance to an otherwise average space. Wait for Bath and Bodyworks candle sales and stock up! Light it each week while you clean your space and it will keep your room smelling lovely and inviting.
Many students like to decorate their walls with pictures and posters. If you decide to do this, aim to have an overall theme. Grab pictures of your friends with similar backgrounds, or use pictures of you in Europe and opt for a European landscape poster at the poster sale when it’s on at the UC. To add another element of class, you can frame some photos and posters to give the wall more depth. If you decide to go for a wall covered in photos, treat that wall as an accent wall and make sure to keep clutter off the others.
Regardless of what you do with your space, just make sure it represents who you are and really reflects your own personality. It will help make Guelph your home away from home.