5 cheap ways to improve your student accommodation

You don’t have to break the bank.

Students are notoriously cash-poor – most likely with no credit history either, which makes borrowing at good rates of interest almost impossible. And yet, when it comes to student accommodation, there’s no reason why you shouldn’t have a pleasant space to live in just like everyone else. Never fear – you don’t need to pay high interest rates on loans with no credit check – if you’re looking for budget-friendly ways to improve your accommodation then here are some top tips that won’t break the bank.

  1. Let there be light

Student accommodation isn’t always designed to make the most of the features of a property – but rather to pack in as many people as possible. So, light is often one of the first things to be sacrificed to make room for more beds. If you’ve ended up with a box room with poor lighting then this could make for a pretty unpleasant living space. Uplighters are relatively cheap and a very simple way to bring a burst of light into any accommodation, whatever the room. You can also be creative with softer desk and table lamps or add a touch of magic with fairy lights strung up at key points in the room.

  1. Invest in a rug

Carpeting and flooring choices in student accommodation tend to be of the hardwearing and cheap type. So, you’re unlikely to find a luxury pile or exotic floorboards where you live during your studying years. However, that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy something luxurious underfoot. A rug or carpet off-cut is a cheap option that you can use to cover up carpet that you’re not exactly in love with and also to make the room more comfortable underfoot.

  1. Hanging things

Student rooms rarely have any personality and, as a result, can end up feeling like very impersonal blank spaces. You can change this easily and cheaply by hanging things up. Wall hangings can be used to cover an entire wall and add colour and texture to your space. Pictures and posters also bring boldness and personality into an otherwise rather uninspiring room and if you’re feeling super creative then there are lanterns and scarves that can be used to soften the harder edges of a room and add extra colour and light. If funds are seriously limited then try changing the lampshade and hanging a single picture – it’s amazing the difference even that can make.

  1. Soft furnishings

They’re relatively cheap, easy to transport and require no assembly – that’s why soft furnishings are the key to improving student accommodation that needs a bit of a lift. Scatter cushions bring colour and comfort and you can change the entire feel of a room with a new set of curtains. Duvets and bedspreads can do many things, from adding a burst of colour to being part of a stylish and consistent colour scheme.

  1. Plants and photos

If your student accommodation feels like a space in which no living  thing can grow then adding some plants will give it a much more organic vibe. Cacti are ideal because they take very little looking after but in colourful pots look cheerful and cool. Photos are also important, especially if you’re living away from home for the first time. A photo collage or framed photos will instantly make the space feel more like yours.