If you are off to college you are probably a little nervous and excited at the same time! College can be a wonderful world filled with exciting new vistas of knowledge and social connections. But before you can get the most out of what university life has to offer, you need to settle in a place where you can feel comfortable. If you will be living in a student rental such as a dorm or apartment, personalizing your space becomes a crucial part of the first few days as a college student. *This post contains affiliate/sponsored links.

source

As much as you want to focus on finding a student rental o stay until you graduate, you also have to make your living space appealing. After all, having a well-decorated apartment or dorm lets you focus on your most important tasks and gain inspiration along the way.

source

Your apartment or dorm may need some updating the first day you move in, so make the best out of these tips for a college living space that works for you.

source

Consider a good paint job

If you are renting an apartment one of the first things you might want to consider  is to update the walls as long as the landlord approves. One way you can do this is to repaint the interior with a color that matches your preferences. Make sure to use non-VOC paint to make the interior a cleaner and healthier place to be in.

Use cotton bedding

When looking for an off-campus 2 BR apartment, it’s crucial to know if it’s an ideal place for resting after a hard day in Chemistry 101. But apart from looking at the overall structure of your sleeping quarters, you might also need to decorate the bed with soft, cotton sheets. For good measure, add in a few throw pillows to give you that extra comfort you need, whether you’re sleeping or pulling an all-nighter for a midterm exam.

source

source

 Feature some artwork

If you’re the type of person majoring in a creative field, you might want to feature your best work on your walls. You don’t have to get a degree in fine art, to choose great artwork.  Your apartment can very well function as a large canvas, and as such, you can hang handcrafted works of art or set up avant-garde installations. You can also showcase your photography as well by putting up framed portraits of your best shots. Whether you find your artwork online, in local galleries, or even have it commissioned yourself, you should not worry too much about making the “perfect” choice. Simply choose art that feels right, both in terms of your feelings about it and how it fits in with your space.

source

For a rustic and contemporary look, try hanging a unique faux taxidermy piece on the wall. It is sure to be a conversation starter!

source

source

source

 Add Natural Vibes

When it comes to giving your apartment vitality and improving the air quality, you will certainly want to bring in lots of green plants. Not only will it enhance the apartment’s interior through vivid colors, decorating the place with plants can also achieve a greener, more natural vibe.

source

For this, you might want to pick plants that won’t pose too much of a hassle to take care of. Succulents, for one, are a great option since they don’t normally require too much maintenance, and ivy and bonsai plants are also great for giving your apartment a revitalizing energy.

source

If you don’t have any natural light in your dorm or apartment, it’s worth considering how you might be able to introduce some. If you’re going to be working there in the long term you might consider a skylight; otherwise, there are options to help you get enough vitamin D into your system – such as sun lamps.

Make handicrafts

As much as you want to make your apartment look prettier, getting the right decorations can cost you a lot of money down the line. You’re better off reusing certain objects and creating beautiful DIY handicrafts you can hang on your ceiling or place on a side table.  

source

If you are lucky enough to rent an apartment or home with exposed brick walls, then you will definitely want to check with your landlord first to make sure it is okay to hang artwork on it and the find out how to drill into brick. If you have a lightweight piece of artwork you can always use brick hanging clips.

source

Turning your apartment into your own personal lair takes a lot of work, so make sure to apply these ideas and start living your life as a college student on the right foot. If you are on a budget, you can have fun searching for high-quality used furniture online and in thrift stores. Some thrift stores actually specialize in second-hand office furniture and bedroom wall art, so you are likely to what you need for a bargain.

If you are starting off on a new year of college I hope these ideas have inspired you to create a trendy and relaxing space that is all your own. Best of luck for a successful school year ahead!

Amber