Thanks to lockdown 2.0 and the University of Chester’s ‘flexible learning’ policy, Chester students are going to be spending more time in their houses this academic year. With bedrooms doubling up as personal libraries and study spaces, it has never been more important to create a sanctuary that you are happy to spend time in.
At Hoots, our interior designer makes sure that all of our houses come complete with great lighting, personalised wall prints and handcrafted sofas. But we know that adding your own personal touch to your room can help make you feel at home. To help you transform your room without breaking the bank, we’ve put together a list of ways you can decorate your room on a student budget…
Lighting is key
Let’s be real, the ‘big light’ in any room can be headache inducing at the best of times. But all-nighters just seem to hit different if you are typing under fluorescent lighting. Save yourself the eyestrain and invest in a decent desk and floor lamp. You can bag yourself a brand-new desk lamp for as little as £8 from Wilko (to put that into context, that’s one less Pornstar Martini on your bougie girls night!)
Next up? Fairy lights. We heard that string lights can fix any problem. So, head on down to Primark, buy yourself HOARDS of £2 fairy lights and turn your bedroom into your own mini galaxy.
Plants are our friends
We’ve all read the studies; houseplants can decrease stress levels and improve productivity. But plants can be pretty costly for someone on a student budget. To make your room zen AF without breaking the bank, buy your plants and pots separately. When you buy a potted houseplant from a supermarket or flower shop, you are paying for the planter.
To save yourself some cash, opt for a houseplant without a pot and then hit the charity shops. There are tonnes of great shops on Frodsham Street that sell quirky pots for a fraction of the price!
Bedding is king
As the focal point of the room, your bed can make or break your bedroom. But duvet covers can be expensive. Instead of splashing out £50 on bed sheets, give your bed a new look by experimenting with blankets and throw pillows.
Feeling creative? Try making your own pillow covers out of an old T-shirt, scarf or scrap fabric.
Desk organisers
You know what they say… tidy desk, tidy mind. Studies have shown that clutter can reduce our ability to focus, whilst having a negative effect on our stress and anxiety. With ‘flexible learning’ forcing Chester students to study from home, it has never been more important for you to keep your study space tidy.
To improve your productivity and make your room look and feel nicer, invest in a decent desk organiser. You can get one for as little as £10 on Amazon and with that 6 months free Prime offer, you have no excuse not to have a tidy desk. Amazon Prime, you are our lord and saviour. ?
Get an actual bin already?!
There are two types of students. Those who own an actual bin and those who think a plastic bag will suffice. Do you know which group wins in life? We’ll give you a clue, it’s not the latter…
Nothing quite ruins a room’s ~ambiance~ like a sad Tesco bag dangling from a door handle stuffed with orange peels and crumpled up essay plans. So, head over to Poundland, pick up a cheap plastic bin and hide it underneath your desk so it’s out of sight. Trust us, your room will instantly look and feel cleaner.
All Hoots houses come furnished with double beds, barbeques and widescreen TVs to help make you comfortable in your home away from home. For more information, pop into Hoots HQ for a chat or give us a call on 01244 399734.
