Exams are done for the summer and many students will be preparing to flee the nest and embark on an exciting university adventure!
Starting university is an exciting time – a new place to live, potentially a new city, new friends and new things to learn. So, it’s worth spending a bit of time getting prepared for your new chapter and getting things in place for when you leave.
Your student room will be a place where you spend a lot of time over the coming months – work, rest and play. So, it’s really important that your bedroom feels like a comfortable and inviting space to be in.
Here we suggest some simple student bedroom ideas to make your new room instantly feel like home.
Your Perfect Sleep Environment
Creating a relaxing sleep environment is important if you are to sleep well in your new student room.
Depending on whether your room is furnished or not might depend on whether there is already a bed frame in your room. However, we would always recommend having your own new mattress in your student room as you have no idea how old a shared mattress is or what condition it is actually in beneath the surface!
Roll-up mattresses are a great addition to student rooms as they are very easy to deliver and install without all the fuss of a big heavy mattress to carry up all those stairs! And you can pick up soft cotton bed sheets pretty cheaply from IKEA and these will make all the difference when it comes to keeping cool and sleeping well, as well as being easy to clean and maintain.
If you room is hot and stuffy, then invest in a fan, or if it’s safe to do so, you could sleep with your window ajar over the summer months when it’s warm.
Create a Calming Study Area
When it comes to studying from home, you should try to zone off an area in your room, which is solely dedicated to work. Not only will it put you in the right frame of mind for studying, but it will also help with the overall look of your room.
It’s probable that space will be at a premium in your student room, therefore a cheap folding office desk is a great idea, to minimise storage space when it’s not being used.
You can accessorise your work area with floating shelves, photos of friends and family, and pictures or quotes that inspire you. Experiment with using washi tape to frame and stick prints to your wall – not only is it biodegradable, but it peels off without leaving any residue!
Indoor plants and succulents will also help to bring nature into your room as well as giving a boost your wellbeing at the same time!
Create a Relaxation Zone
It’s important that you create a space in your room where you can just chill and relax. Perhaps you can find a nice big beanbag to fit on the floor, which you can pick up fairly cheaply and use as a space to read or meditate when you need headspace.
If you are a keen reader, you could find a freestanding ladder shelf to hold your favourite books and place a few photo frames. And, if you like to work out inside or practice yoga, then section off an area big enough for your exercise mat.
Layer Your Lighting
If your student bedroom is lacking in light, then you can add further layers to improve the lighting conditions. Mix lamps of different heights and strength to create depth, which can be used at different times of day and depending on what you are doing at the time.
Floor lamps add a bit of interest to an empty corner and a soft bedside table lamp for reading will help you to wind down before sleep. Stores like Wilko and Dunelm offer affordable lighting options or head down to your local second-hand store. Fairy lights also add a relaxing and cosy feel. Drape them over your bed frame or around your window frame for instant charm.
With a little bit of imagination and some budget shopping, you’ll be able to make your student bedroom into your own cosy haven as soon as you arrive at university!
