How to make your university room feel like home
Moving into university accommodation is an exciting part of starting uni life. It’s the first time many of us get a space that’s completely our own, so naturally, you’ll want to make it feel comfortable and personal.
While there are a few rules about decorating in halls, there are still plenty of simple ways to add your own touch without risking any damage or charges at the end of the year. Here are a few things that helped me settle in and make my room feel like home.
Choose a theme (even a simple one)
You don’t need to go overboard with a full design plan, but having a theme in mind can make decorating much easier. It could be based on your favourite colours, a mood you want to create, or just something you know will help you relax.
I went for soft greens and pinks because they’re my favourite colours, and I wanted to create a calm, cosy vibe. Sticking to a few shades made it much easier to pick out bedding, cushions and small decorations without it all clashing.
Bring your cosy comforts
Your bed is where you’ll spend a lot of time, whether you're sleeping, studying, or just relaxing, so making it comfortable is important. I brought a mattress protector (which made a massive difference), along with my own duvet, a couple of fluffy throws, and extra cushions.
Having a few layers means you can adjust depending on how warm or cold your room gets. If you have space, a small rug can also make things feel warmer and a bit more homely but just make sure it’s easy to move and won’t damage the flooring.
Add a familiar scent
It’s easy to focus on how your room looks, but scent can make just as much of a difference in helping your space feel like home. Since candles, incense and wax burners aren’t allowed in halls for fire safety, I found a couple of simple alternatives that worked really well. Reed diffusers are a great option because they’re safe, don’t need any heat or electricity, and come in loads of different scents.
I also used little scent sachets, which I tucked into drawers, behind cushions or at the bottom of my wardrobe. Having familiar scents like lavender or fresh linen made my room feel much more comforting, especially in those first few weeks.
Add personal touches from home
One of the biggest things that helped me settle in was bringing a few familiar items from home. You can’t put anything directly on the walls or doors, but you can still add personality by placing things on your desk, shelves, or window ledge.
I brought framed photos of my family and friends, a few little trinkets from my bedroom at home, and my favourite mug that I always use for teas and coffee. Even having a familiar blanket or a small piece of home décor can make your room feel much more comforting, especially in those first few weeks.
Use your pin board creatively
The pin board provided in your room is the one place where you can fully decorate without worrying about damaging anything. I used mine for a mix of practical and personal things. One section had important uni info like my timetable, deadlines and to-do lists. The rest was filled with photos, postcards, a mini calendar, and even tickets from events I went to during the year.
To make it more fun, I used washi tape to frame some of my photos and arranged battery-powered fairy lights around the board. I also bought some cute flower-shaped push pins, which added a bit of character and made it feel more like me.
If you like switching things up during the year, an easy hack is to plan your board layout on the floor first. Or, even better, you can use some old wrapping paper, map everything out to scale, and pin the entire sheet onto the board. This makes it easy to rearrange without leaving extra pin marks.
Other little ways to make your room feel like yours
Lighting
The standard ceiling light can feel a bit harsh, especially in the evenings. I brought a small desk lamp with a warm bulb, and some battery-powered fairy lights that added a cosy glow. It makes such a difference when you’re winding down after a long day. I managed to find some battery-operated bee fairy lights that I scattered round my bed which gave my room a cozy vibe for tired nights.
Plants
Even one or two small plants (real or artificial) can bring a bit of life to the room. I started with a fake succulent that came in a little lama pot, and as the years went by, I got into mini building blocks and now have a collection of mini plants made from them.
Storage
Uni rooms aren’t huge, so having some extra storage can help keep things tidy. Foldable boxes, baskets, or under-bed storage are great for keeping things like extra bedding, snacks or toiletries organised. I ended up buying a hanging foldable shelving unit that hooks onto the rail in the wardrobe to maximize the space provided.
A few important rules to remember...
While there’s lots you can do, it’s important to stay within the accommodation rules to avoid any charges at the end of the year. You aren’t allowed to:
- Stick anything directly to the walls, doors or furniture using blu-tack, sellotape, drawing pins or adhesives
- Make any changes to the decoration or paintwork
- Put posters or decorations anywhere in the common areas, except on the pin boards provided
If you’re ever unsure, it’s always best to double check with Accommodation Services first. They’re really helpful and would rather answer your questions than have you accidentally break the rules.