It’s difficult to get comfortable in a room if it doesn’t look like yours.

Moving away from home to a new city is daunting enough, but when you’re left in an empty, unfamiliar room, it makes it all that little bit more difficult. Laura Durechova from Graduate Recruitment Bureau gives 6 creative tips to make your student room more homely without rinsing your student loan.

Throws and cushions

Bedding is great way to bring life into your room and make it feel more homely. Buy a few colourful throws and textures cushions and turn your bed into a work of art. Many homeware shops have student deals on things like this, so you can get really nice throws for a fraction of the price.

Photo Hangings

Photos are a perfect touch to add to any room to make it feel more like yours. But forget plastering them all over your wall in messy fashion, buy some ribbon and pegs and make your own photo hangings for less than £2. Mix up the ribbon colours to inject colour and character to your room.

Photo frames

You can head to Ikea and buy pack of colourful picture frames for £2.50. In addition to your hanging photos, you can place these frames on shelves and bedside tables to make your room really feel like home. Try mixing up the size of frames to add more character by creating photo collages as well as single photos.

Bunting

Bunting is a typical addition to a student room, but have you thought of making your own? Most textiles shops have fabric scraps that are sold in bundles for very cheaply (I’m talking 50p-£1.) Buy a stack, cut them into diamonds and secure them over the left over ribbon from your photo hangings. They’re a great addition to bookshelves, simply put the end of the ribbon under some books and there’s your fuss free bunting!

Pot plants

Many universities have potted plant sales where you can buy a range of coloured and green cacti for under £5. These plants are great to have on your windowsill or shelf as they throw some character into your room, add a bit of green and don’t need any looking after!

Homemade Pots

Whether it’s a pot for your cactus, or a pencil holder, you can save money and upcycle your rubbish at the same time! It takes one minute to soak of the labels from bean tins and jam jars. These both make useful, rustic and homely pots and holders to place on your desk or shelves.

About the author: Laura Durechova

Laura Durechova is a second year History and American Studies student from London and the Online Content Journalist for Graduate Recruitment Bureau.