Whether you’re moving into student accommodation or staying at home, you’re going to be spending a lot of time in your bedroom whilst at university. You’ll want to make sure it’s a homely space to live, make the most of a small space, as well as being a productive study environment.
So we got the expert advice of IKEA Interior Designer and BCU graduate Claire Watts to share these five tips for transforming your little area of the world.
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1) Comfort is key
One of the most important things for your room is textiles – you’ll want to make the place as comfortable as possible. So think about your duvet, bedding, any cushions you want to add for texture and pattern and also some comfort for the floor. Adding in a rug will make things a little softer on your feet when you wake up in the morning.
2) Organise your tech
Technology in your bedroom is also really important. When you're working at your desk, you need a laptop to be a good height for working so you aren't straining your eyes too much. It’s also useful to have numerous charging ports around the room if you’re in your family home – having one next to your bed makes your phone easily accessible.
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3) Set the mood with lighting
When you’re working and sleeping in the same space, it's really important to get the mood right. So when you're working at your desk, it's really good to have a light above your laptop so you don't strain your eyes while you're working. And to get ready to relax and wind down for a good night's sleep, you can use battery-powered candles, fairy lights and also dim side lights, too. Real candles are a fire risk in student accommodation – so stick to the electric ones.
4) Clever storage
It's really important to make the most of the storage in your room. When you're working at your desk area, you could use magazine files to keep everything organized. Arrange your stationery so everything's easy to reach when you're working. You can make the most of wardrobe space as well and underneath the bed, with storage boxes for clothes, out-of-season items and things you don't need to get to day to day.
5) Add some personality
It's really important to add a little bit of your personality to your space as well. Why not add some photos, frames or prints to your room to remind you of your friends from home and favourite memories? Adding some greenery to your room with some artificial or real plants really helps boost the mood.
