WITH SEPTEMBER ALREADY UPON US (WHERE DID THE SUMMER GO?!) AND A FRESH BACK-TO-SCHOOL FEELING IN THE AIR, IT’S TIME TO WIPE THE SLATE CLEAN AND GET READY FOR A NEW SCHOOL YEAR.
Many parents are packing their teenagers off to university for the first time, and want to cushion the culture shock their children might get from going from mum and dad’s dinners and laundry services to sharing halls with strangers!
Luckily it’s simple and fairly cheap to add style to a student space. Try some of my tips below:
1. Add Colour With Budget Bedding
Adding comfort and cosiness needn’t break the bank when redecorating a student bedroom.
A soft cotton bedding set is a simple and effective way to add colour and pattern to a plain space in one easy step.
There are plenty of budget bed sets out there that won’t break the bank, but my favourites for picky teens are the duvet designs from H&M.
(*The bedding pictured on the left is all available from H&M).
2. Introduce Plants
Not only are plants a great lesson in teaching teenagers how to look after something (without the commitment of a pet), but they also help to purify the air, as well as adding a feel-good factor as you watch them grow and flourish over the weeks. I usually pick mine up for low prices at Ikea or Homebase, but I’ve noticed big supermarket chains are starting to have more and more small plants and succulents for sale so getting your hands on one is easier than ever. I like these fun monogram plant pots from Etsy for a personal touch.
3. Just Add Fairy Lights
There’s nothing like a simple string of fairy lights to add warmth and comfort to a plain bedroom. Boys may find the idea a bit girly, but more and more vintage-style bulb lights like these are coming onto the market, and add a homely flourish to even the most masculine of student bedrooms. My personal favourite is a string that also doubles up as a photo display – try these cheap and cheerful strands from Amazon.
4. Frame Their Favourite Prints or Posters
Framed photographs, prints or posters take plain walls from zero to hero in a matter of minutes. If your teen has a special picture in their room at home, why not slot it into a simple black or white frame and hang it above their bed in halls or their shared student house to bring a bit of home comfort to their room? I love the simple designs from Wilko to suit any budget. (Picture by Photobox)
5. Install a Statement Snuggler Chair
Slightly larger than an armchair but not as big as a sofa, cosy armchairs (or Snugglers as they’re often known) add a homely touch to even the most sterile of student spaces. My favourites have to be the ones from Arlo & Jacob; they have a range of snuggly chairs from Scandi-cool styles to traditional deep-filled designs. Install one of these beauties in a quiet corner, add a reading lamp and voila! An instant cosy nook for them to do their studying.
We’re very proud to bring you this feature in association with one of His & Hers’ favourite interiors brands, Arlo & Jacob. For more inspiration for your home, please pay a visit to our interiors page.
