My budget-friendly ideas for decorating your room

Your first passion project at university will undoubtedly be decorating your room; I’ve been into some rooms as late as March which still look painfully in need of some personalisation, so why not hop to it immediately and get ahead of your flatmates. Follow some of my ideas for decorating your room, without breaking the bank.

Buy some posters

This is a no-brainer. If you weren’t considering any posters of pictures, then my hope for you is withering. I have posters of some of my favourite musicians and bands, films, and general art which I thought matched my vibe. I recommend HMV for some cheap A1 posters, however throughout the year, poster sales happen on campus, usually outside University Centre. As for what you should stick them up with, I recommend anything that won’t damage your walls, like Blu-tack, glue dots or Command strips.

Take advantage of FreePrints

If you are looking for somewhere that will print off your favourite photos for your pinboard, then I’d recommend FreePrints. You can get 45 photos printed for free, with either a matte or glossy finish, each month. I’ve got a mix of photos with family, friends and pop-culture which add a much-needed personal touch to my room. All you need to pay for is the shipping, which is usually around £3.

Repurpose your parents’ vinyl’s and CDs

Now, I know what you are thinking, ‘Harry, neither of those two are budget-friendly’, but I’m sure your parents or grandparents have some CDs of random house music which haven’t been played since 2000, or singles on 8” vinyl’s which have 30 years’ of dust accumulated between the grooves. My suggestion is that you use them as either wall features or string them up and hang them across your room. It’s different for sure and upcycles something which otherwise would have been thrown away or sat on a shelf for another 30 years.

Plants, glorious plants

Whether you have the patience and the attention to sustain some real ones or just want some green in your room in whatever way is easiest, having some plants in your room will breathe new life into it. I have only got a few fake plants, but popping them on a shelf or in your bathroom above the toilet makes a difference in my eyes. Some of the smallest sell for £1 in IKEA, so it’s definitely worth having a look.

So, when your friends and flatmates get a tour of your room, allow them to stand amazed at your interior design prowess, and let them contemplate whether they are truly a fan of their bare walls and drab décor.