How to Elevate Your Student Bedroom
Whether it’s your first time flying the nest to embark on your university adventure or you’re several years into your academic journey, ensuring your student bedroom feels cosy and comfortable is essential to feel secure and content in your home away from home.
Far more than just a space to sleep, your room is your sanctuary, study space, and personal haven all rolled into one - and being happy in it will significantly enhance your well-being and productivity. Cue the stylish decor with the help of DUSK’s student essentials.
From space-saving furniture to luxury bedding and more, discover our top tips on transforming your student room into an inviting sanctuary with the help of a few simple yet effective furnishing tips.
Space-Saving Furniture and Storage Solutions
If you’re lucky, you might be blessed with a spacious bedroom, but more often than not, student accommodation tends to be on the smaller side. But don’t worry if this is the case. With the addition of a few well-selected furniture pieces, you can find a number of ways to optimise space in your room.
Multipurpose Furniture
Chests of drawers provide the perfect place to store folded clothing, freeing up precious wardrobe space for bulkier items that need to be hung, such as coats and jackets. If you’re looking for cupboard space and drawers to store larger items, such as shoes and books, a sideboard will work perfectly to provide versatile storage.
Under-Bed Storage
When it comes to student accommodation, every inch counts. A simple yet innovative way to maximise floor space is to utilise your under-bed area as a further storage space. While ottoman beds offer handy built-in storage, placing baskets or roll-out drawers beneath your bed also provides easy access to belongings.
In addition to this, why not position an ottoman storage bench at the end of your bed? With a versatile 2-in-1 design, this doubles up as both extra seating and storage space, making it a practical choice for smaller bedrooms.
Shelves and Hooks
Get creative by maximising your vertical space with wall storage. Shelves make the perfect place to stack books and place photo frames, while hooks allow you to effortlessly hang coats, scarves, bags and more without removing drawer and wardrobe space.
Functional and Stylish Decor
The best student room designs all have one thing in common; stylish furnishings! Not only do these add a touch of personality to your surroundings, but they also introduce texture and dimension to your space.
Bedding and Linens
Sleep plays an essential role in our well-being and productivity, so having the right bedding is integral to achieving uninterrupted slumber. Transform a lumpy student mattress into a bed of cloud-like comfort with a down mattress topper. Ensure you opt for bedding that’s soft and snug to keep you cosy from season to season. At DUSK, we have an array of luxury bed linens in various fabrics and designs to elevate your sleep setup instantly.
Soft Furnishings
If you’re looking for easy ideas to spruce up your uni room, look no further than a few well-selected soft furnishings. Stack statement cushions to create a comfy focal point, or drape a knitted throw along the bottom of your bed to inject a touch of texture and style into your set-up.
A fluffy rug can also add instant cosiness to wooden floors, bringing instant warmth to your space. By matching similar tones between your cushions, throws, and curtains, you can effortlessly tie everything together, creating a sleek and cohesive bedroom aesthetic.
For more inspiration, check out our full range of home accessories or delve into our blog on 5 Different Ways to Style Throws.
Organisation and Study Zones
It’s no secret that throughout uni, you’ll be expected to spend a portion of your time studying at home. Whether it’s reading, writing essays or completing coursework, you’ll need a sturdy study spot to complete these tasks.
Desk and Chair Selection
When it comes to creating the perfect at-home office, we advise prioritising practicality and comfort. An office-style chair will provide optimum back support, but if you don’t have enough room for this, a simple yet sleek stool will do the trick nicely.
A dressing table makes the perfect 2-in-1 desk, acting as both a writing space and a vanity station. Simply pop a mirror on top and use the drawers to store stationery or toiletries.
Desk Organisation
Recent studies show that 41% of us find a tidy workspace helps us to feel more productive. With this in mind, keeping desk clutter to a minimum is essential to promote serene study sessions.
Invest in pen pots, paper trays and folders to keep your desk space neatly organised. A desk lamp will also make a great addition to your workspace, providing a low-lit glow that creates a relaxing evening ambience.
Create a Bedside Reading Nook
Creating a bedside reading nook will provide a place of sanctuary where you can escape into the pages of your favourite stories. With a few thoughtful touches, you can turn this space into a cosy retreat that invites you to unwind and lose yourself in the pages.
A nightstand isn’t just for holding your lamp and alarm clock; it can also serve as a convenient surface for placing your current reads, a cup of tea, or a small stack of books. Opt for a bedside table with a drawer or shelf for extra storage.
Consider a reading lamp with an adjustable arm or a warm, soft light that won’t strain your eyes during evening reading sessions. Dimmer switches or smart bulbs can also help you adjust the lighting to your preference.
Plants and Greenery
Adding plants to your bedroom offers a range of benefits for your physical and mental well-being.
Here are just a few of the advantages plants and greenery offer:
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Improved Air Quality: Plants act as natural air purifiers, absorbing carbon dioxide and releasing oxygen during photosynthesis. Some plants, like snake plants and peace lilies, are particularly effective at removing toxins from the air, contributing to cleaner, fresher air in your bedroom.
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Enhanced Mood and Reduced Stress: Studies have shown that spending time around plants and greenery can lead to improved mood and reduced stress levels. The presence of plants in your bedroom creates a soothing and calming atmosphere, helping you unwind and relax after a long day.
- Better Sleep Quality: Certain plants, such as lavender and jasmine, emit natural fragrances that have been associated with improved sleep quality. Additionally, the increased oxygen levels plants provide can promote better breathing and a more restful night's sleep.
Displaying Keepsakes
Displaying photos and cherished keepsakes around your bedroom not only adds a personal touch to your space but also serves as a reminder of happy moments with loved ones. Transform a blank wall into a gallery of memories by creating a collage of photos, postcards, and small keepsakes.
Alternatively, why not create a memory box? Memory boxes are a wonderful way to create a three-dimensional display of your keepsakes. Arrange items like tickets, souvenirs, and small objects in a container to tell a story. Keep its pride of place on a shelf for a distinctive focal point.
Discover more ways to transform your home in our recent blog: How To Make Your Home Feel More Tranquil.
FAQs:
How can I make my small bedroom feel more spacious?
If your room is on the smaller side, don’t panic. There are plenty of ways to make it feel bigger, including:
- Choose Light Colours: Light, neutral colours like whites, creams, soft greys, and pastels can create the illusion of a larger space. They reflect light and make the room feel more open.
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Use Multi-Functional Furniture: Opt for furniture pieces that serve multiple purposes, such as an ottoman bed with storage space underneath, a fold-down desk, or a wall-mounted shelf that can function as a bedside table.
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Avoid Clutter: Clutter can make a small space feel even smaller. Keep surfaces clear and use stylish storage baskets for items that tend to accumulate.
- Use Mirrors: Mirrors can give the illusion of more space by reflecting light and making the room seem larger. Consider a large mirror or a mirrored wall.
For further inspiration, check out our blog on How to Make Your Bedroom Feel Bigger.
What are the essential decor items for a student's bedroom?
Each student bedroom will look and feel different depending on its owner’s preferences. Here are a few must-have essentials to include:
Bedding:
Furniture:
- Bed frame
- Desk and chair
- Wardrobe or drawers
- Bookshelves
- Bedside table
Storage Solutions:
- Storage baskets or boxes
- Drawer organisers
- Under-bed storage
- Shelves or wall hooks
For further tips and tricks for ways to style your student abode, head to our inspiration page, where you’ll find helpful how-to blogs and styling guides for your home this season and beyond.