Attending a university far from home can be both challenging and exciting. It gives you the taste of freedom and independence while studying something you’re passionate about and pursuing your dreams. Unfortunately, as time passes, you may feel homesick and miss your bedroom or study area.
While it’s hard to adjust when studying away from home, there are ways to deal with homesick blues and make your apartment feel like home. The key is to set up your apartment properly. If you’re still searching for the best apartment for your needs, click here to get helpful resources and make the selection process easy.
When setting up your apartment, there are various things you need to consider. Whether you’re living with roommates or you’re on your own, the following tips and tricks will help you organize and design your apartment like no other:
1. Have A Layout Plan
One of the first things you should consider to successfully set up your apartment the way you want it to be is to have a layout plan. Before you move in, know your apartment’s measurements to visualize how you’ll maximize the space and arrange the furniture.
Knowing your apartment’s size makes it much easier to designate an area for your bed and study space. For example, if you want to study without dealing with distractions, look for a place where you can keep your school resources well-organized. To achieve this, include storage solutions when planning your apartment’s layout.
2. Determine Your Budget
Another thing you need to do is to determine your budget. Setting up an apartment may cost you some money. If your budget is tight, know how much money you can spare for decorating your apartment.
While it’s easy to go all out and buy whatever you want for your apartment, prioritizing your expenses is essential. You may want to allot more funds for your necessities before you invest in decorative items such as accessories and artwork.
3. Focus On Functionality
Not all student apartments are made equal. While others are big, some have a small space enough for a bed and a desk to fit. Regardless of your apartment’s size, it’s wise to focus on functionality over style. Opt for furniture that serves a purpose such as a desk with ample storage space and a comfortable sofa bed.
A multipurpose piece of furniture like a futon also makes a perfect investment. It serves as a bed and a couch, which you can convert easily. Another excellent option is a storage ottoman. It can help you store small household items or school supplies while allowing you to sit or rest your feet.
If you’re confused about the different multipurpose pieces of furniture in the market, keep your budget and needs in mind. This way, you’ll know which fits best for your apartment, breaking the bank and worrying about your expenses.
4. Rearrange The Furniture Properly
Most apartments come with a typical bed and desk. Consider rearranging the furniture to set up your apartment effectively. It’ll give your room more character and be different from everyone else’s.
However, before you rearrange the furniture, be sure to inform your landlord. There are instances when some landlords may not allow you to change the apartment’s layout. In other cases, furniture like bed frames may be nailed into the wall, making it impossible to move from one place to another.
Once you get a go sign from your landlord, look for inspiration on how you want the furniture to be arranged. Check out design magazines or websites for ideas, whether you have a small or big apartment. This way, maximizing your space and making it more organized is much easier.
5. Add Some Personality
Your student apartment will be your sanctuary until you finish your studies, so setting it up meticulously is critical. One trick to remember when decorating your apartment is adding a personal touch.
If your apartment is like a blank canvas, you can make a few tweaks and additions to transform it into a temporary comfortable home. To start, here are some tips to add personality to your student accommodation:
– Buy A Statement Lampshade Or Floor Lamp
Adding a lampshade or floor lamp can be an excellent way to personalize your student apartment. It helps create a focal point and make your space more inviting. You can find various lampshades or floor lamps in various styles. From vintage-style floor lamps to modern arc lamps, you’ll find a statement piece that fits your style or preferred décor.
– Hang Photos
One of the best ways to add some personality to your apartment is to hang photos. Before you study away from home, collect photos of everything you love. Photos of your special memories with your friends and family and favorite places in your hometown will help you reduce homesickness. Seeing these photos can also relax you after a stressful day.
Whether you prefer damage-free wall hanging strips or standalone frames, decorate your room with any photos you want to put a smile on your face. If you want your décor to match your style or theme, search for ideas online or get help from friends or family. This way, you’ll make your apartment feel more ‘you.’
– Get A Plant
Adding a personal touch to your apartment doesn’t only revolve around hanging photos of your loved ones. Sometimes, getting a plant may help express your personality. Investing in plants won’t only create a comfortable environment, but it may also help improve the ambiance in your room. All you need is to water it regularly.
However, the problem with student apartments is that they don’t often provide a good environment for plants to thrive. The best solution for this is to look for houseplants that are hard to kill such as spider plants, cacti, pothos, jade plants, and other succulents.
If you’re up for a challenge, you can try getting a Venus flytrap that requires more water but is easy to care for. On the other hand, if you wish to grow plants that produce fruits, opt for a tomato plant or fig tree.
– Use A Notice Board As A Memory Board
In many student apartments, you’ll get a standard notice board. If not, consider buying one. It’s useful to keep track of your school activities by writing notes on the whiteboard and pinning to-do lists. The best thing about a notice board is that you can hang it wherever you want.
Notice boards are also useful as memory boards where you can pin a collection of school photos, receipts from days out, flyers from events, and more.
– Invest In Quality Towels And Bedding
Buying towels and bedding is something that most students do in a hurry. Some even opt for the cheapest ones available, assuming that such items will get ruined after a year or two.
Although you can bring your old bedding and stick with something you bought cheaply, it’s worth investing in quality towels and bedding. They can make your apartment look pleasant and feel cozier. Mix and match your bedding and towels to make your apartment stand out while adding color to your living space.
– Add Rugs
Rugs are another trick to add extra spice to your apartment. Having a rug behind your desk or beside your bed gives you a more comfortable feel in any room. A one-color and plain rug may add a nice splash to your colorless, dull student accommodation. It’s also a simple way to accessorize and can be quickly stored when not needed.
– Don’t Forget The Throw Pillows And Other Cushions
Adding throw pillows and other cushions to your bed, couches, and armchairs can make your apartment feel cozier. Most student accommodations often look bland and bare, even if there are pieces of furniture. Buying a colorful throw pillow can make your room comfortable and more inviting. Just don’t go overboard, so they won’t make your space look cluttered.
These are some easy ways to add personality to your student apartment. Following these tricks can make your accommodation less like a dorm and feels like a home.
6. Choose Your Lighting Wisely
Lighting plays a crucial role in breaking or making the room’s atmosphere. Well-lit apartments make you more focused and energized while studying. On the contrary, buying fairy lights may do wonders for a calm and more relaxed environment and help you get a good night’s sleep daily.
More often than not, student apartments are equipped with a desk lamp and a ceiling light fixture. Therefore, if you want to change your room’s ambiance, invest in good lights such as a bedside lamp, reading light, or string lights.
When looking around for the best lighting for your apartment, keep the following in mind:
– No Light Or Low Light For Sleeping
As a student, getting at least seven hours of sleep is crucial. To rest effectively, you must transition through all the sleep cycle stages and reach rapid eye movement (REM) sleep for optimal relaxation.
No or low lighting is the ideal lighting to enjoy a good night’s sleep. You may also achieve a high degree of darkness with eye shades or curtains.
– Natural Light For Studying
Several apartment buildings have dedicated study areas. But if you prefer to study alone in your room, use natural lighting to focus better. You can also hang a mirror to reflect lights throughout your living space. When studying at night, use a bluish-white or white bulb to mimic the sunlight’s color temperature.
– Overhead Light For Easy Cleaning
Keeping your apartment clean is a must, mainly if you have allergies. The perfect light source to illuminate your apartment when cleaning is overhead lights. You can also use flashlights when cleaning your cabinets.
The best lighting for a student apartment may vary widely depending on your preferences. Use the above tips to make an informed decision, enabling you to set up your room beautifully.
7. Use Scents For Your Room
Any smell may significantly affect one’s mood or emotions. A room with pleasing scents has the power to revitalize your spirit. On the other hand, bad odors may quickly put you off. So, whether or not your room smells terrible, using scents to make it lovely and fresh is an excellent idea.
To do that, you can purchase scented candles that may come in different fragrances such as fresh bamboo, rose, and lavender. After a tiring day at school, it’d be nice to rest in an apartment that smells good.
However, it’s crucial to remember that not all landlords may allow scented candles for safety reasons. Luckily, there are many alternatives to aromatic candles, and these include the following:
– Essential Oil Diffuser
Using an essential oil diffuser can make your student accommodation smell good without candles. As its name implies, it diffuses the essential oil throughout your room.
The good thing about this alternative is that it’s affordable, and you can choose from different types of essential oils. Depending on your preferences, use eucalyptus to help you focus on studying and lavender to sleep and feel more relaxed.
– Room Spray
Another way to make your apartment smell fresh and nice is to use a scented room spray. It’s best to use it after cleaning. You may also spray it on your linens to make your towels and sheets smell amazing.
8. Plug-In Air Freshener
You can get a plug-in air freshener if you don’t prefer a room spray or an essential oil diffuser. While you can place it anywhere, try putting it on the lowest setting to make it last longer and prevent creating an overpowering scent.
Your apartment may not smell great, especially if the building is already old. You can improve its smell by using various types of scents, allowing you to focus while studying and relax better.
Conclusion
Setting up your apartment may take work, but it doesn’t have to be that way. You don’t even need to spend much money to achieve the best look for your apartment. To make the process a rewarding and fun experience, follow the above tips to create a space that meets your needs, feels like home, and reflects your personality.