Plants
Potted plants are a great way to incorporate some greenery into your living space. If you’re a plant novice and want something easy to take care of, visit a garden centre and ask an employee for help finding something low-maintenance. Urban Jungle on Cork Street has loads of plants to suit a wide range of gardening skills. If all else fails and your gardening skills simply aren’t up to par, there are some pretty good fake plants out there that have nearly the same effect…
Lights
Fairy lights are a staple of any student accommodation. Whether you’re into colourful TikTok lights or dainty Christmas lights, they can change the dynamic of the room and add a lovely extra touch. You could upcycle glass bottles spirits bottles and put LEDs inside, or buy yourself a statement lamp or lampshade.
Mirrors
Does your room seem small and dark? Mirrors are a great way to combat this – they reflect light and make the space appear bigger. These can be thrifted or bought for relatively cheap, and if you’re into DIY you could paint a frame or stick photos around it. Mirrors of different shapes and sizes placed beside each other can add a bit of character to a room.
Rug
Rugs are a great way to add some colour to a room. While they can be pricey if bought new, there are loads of charity shops that sell them at discount prices. If you’re handy with a sewing machine you could also make one- check out these rug tutorials here and here for an easy, unique addition to your room.
Prints, Posters and Postcards
My wall is covered with interesting prints, posters and postcards I’ve collected from different places: they’re often not too expensive and can really brighten up your room, as well as reminding you of places you’ve visited . If your landlord doesn’t want you to stick things up with Blutack, command strips are the way to go. They stick to the wall without taking off the paint, and while they’re a little pricey, they’re definitely worth the investment.
Candles
Scented candles can be found anywhere – the large Yankee candles can be expensive, but last for ages and will make your room that much nicer to be in. Stick to scents that aren’t too overpowering, as you want to be able to go about your day without getting sick of them.