*A Guide To Transform Your University Accommodation Into A Home

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University accommodation can be incredibly unwelcoming. It doesn’t matter where you are staying, be it a modern town or somewhere scenic and pretty like Oxford or Cambridge, there is no denying that the rooms themselves can be pretty grim. Whether you are in halls or renting privately, you need to know about what you can do to create a home at university. Here are some of our best tips and tricks to help you do so!

Choose Wisely

There are so many locations out there for you to explore, and you need to make sure that you are staying in the best possible place. If you know that you will be going into halls, make sure you thoroughly investigate each of the different buildings you could stay in. There may be one that has recently been renovated that you want to stay in over an older building. However, you also need to spend some time on student boards so you have some insight on what it is actually like to live in these buildings. There may be one that has a reputation for being Party Central while another might be more studious. If you aren’t moving into halls, you have the option to live privately. If this is of interest, you can explore what's available here to gain an insight into what this type of student accommodation can offer you. There are some fantastic options out there for those who want to rent privately with a bunch of friends.

Ask the Landlord

The first thing you should do when you get into a new flat is to find out precisely what you can do in terms of renovation. If you live in halls, this is likely to be quite strict. They may not even like you putting up posters on the walls as this can cause marks. However, if you are renting privately, you may get the opportunity to do some decorating. If the flat has not been made over for some time, a landlord may be happy for you to paint the walls so long as you pick neutral colours and don’t damage the floors. This instantly gives you a fresh coat of paint that you can use to kickstart your life in this flat! Fresh walls create the perfect blank canvas you can then use to create your dream home away from home.

Pick Lighting and Greenery

Everyone tends to flock to paintings and art when they are creating their first uni home. They print out photographs and get ready to cover the walls with aspects of their home. However, there is often a simpler way for you to do this that does not require this. By investing in some high-quality lighting and the right plants, you will be able to create a nice, welcoming atmosphere that will be inviting for everyone who comes to your home. Low-level lighting is best here, and it can really make all the difference to your home. The overhead light can be very harsh and not at all welcoming. By placing warmer, low-level lights around your home, you should be able to create a brilliant atmosphere at night, perfect for parties or visiting friends alike. The other investment you should make is in some plants and greenery. If you are known for killing plants more than caring for them, maybe look into some fake ones. It is easy to find some high-quality fake plants to decorate your home with, and will give you the same satisfaction as live ones.

Create a Place You Love

When given the option to create your own place for the first time, many of us might gravitate towards an Instagram or Pinterest aesthetic. While there is nothing wrong with doing this if you genuinely love this style, it can leave some of us feeling a little let down as we struggle to achieve it. Instead, you should always aim to create a space that you are happy to retreat to, and that genuinely makes you feel warm. University can be an overwhelming experience at times. You are dealing with some very real and adult problems for the first time, while potentially juggling a part-time job and all the coursework and projects required by your degree. You need to make sure that you have a place where you feel safe, and where you can relax.

Take the time to make the space truly yours and it will be more than worth it in the long run!

Do you have any tips to make a space your own? 

*Image from Pinterest