Your first student room might not exactly be the Pinterest palace of your dreams. A bed, desk, wardrobe and four walls can feel a little... sparse.
The good news? You don't need to spend a fortune to make it feel like yours. A few thoughtful touches can turn a basic room into somewhere you actually want to come home to.
Before you start: check the rules for your accommodation. Some halls have restrictions on decorating, hanging things or using certain types of lighting, so it's worth checking before you reach for the hammer.
Bring in some greenery
Plants are an easy way to add colour and life to your room. Go for a small plant on your desk, something leafy for a corner or even a few low-maintenance options if you're not naturally blessed with a green thumb.
Not confident you'll keep it alive? Fake plants count too. We won't tell.
Keep an eye out for QMSU's Try Something New activities too. You might even get the chance to pick, paint and plant your own or we often have plant sales on campus too.
Start with your bed
Your bed is probably going to be the biggest thing in the room, so make it work for you.
A duvet cover, cushions, throw or favourite blanket can completely change the feel of the space. You don't need to buy everything at once either. Start with the essentials and add things as you settle in.
Student budget tip: Check charity shops, second-hand apps and supermarket home ranges before spending loads on new décor. We also run a Reuse Fair during Welcome so you can get free things donated by other students.
Get the lighting right
Good lighting can make a surprisingly big difference.
A bedside or desk lamp can make your room feel much cosier than relying entirely on the main light. Fairy lights or other decorative lighting can also add some atmosphere.
Think warm, soft lighting for winding down and brighter light when you're trying to find that essay you've definitely saved somewhere.
Decorate without damaging the walls
Want to make the room feel personal without losing your deposit?
Use whatever removable, accommodation-approved options your halls allow. Washi tape can work for lightweight decorations, while removable hooks or command strips may be an option for certain items.
Always check your accommodation's rules first and make sure anything you use is suitable for the surface you're putting it on.
Make your walls yours
Posters, prints, photos, postcards and artwork can make a plain room feel much more personal.
If you can't put things directly on the walls, try leaning framed prints against a wall, propping them on a desk or bookshelf, or creating a little display around your room instead.
And don't feel like everything needs to match. Your room should look like you live there, not like you've bought the entire contents of a catalogue.
Add the little things
The best part of decorating is often the stuff that has a story.
Bring a few photos from home, a favourite book, a piece of art, a cosy blanket, some trinkets or something that reminds you of people and places you love.
You don't need to recreate your bedroom at home. You're starting a new chapter, so let your new space become something different too.
Don't buy everything before you arrive
It's very tempting to fill an online basket with 47 things you suddenly need for university.
Try not to.
Bring the essentials first, see what your room actually looks like and work out what you need once you're there. You might discover that you already have enough storage, your flat has a communal kitchen full of equipment, your housemates have things or you simply don't have space for that enormous floor lamp.
Start small. Make it yours. Add to it as you go.
Your room doesn't need to be perfect on day one. It'll become home over time too.