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Excited to head off to uni JUST to decorate your room? We get it – here are the best university room decor ideas to inspire your new space!
Okay, so we have a teeny-weeny confession to make: we didn’t go to university. BUT, we know a lot about how to make any room look incredible – all whilst keeping costs as low as possible. Yep, we’re true bargain hunters.
So, this post is all about the best university room decor ideas you can easily recreate on a budget.
Whether you’re moving into halls or renting a house with your friends, consider this post your handy decor guide to transform a blank canvas into a space you love!
Understanding the Rules About Your University Room Decor Ideas
First things first, there are usually a bunch of must-know university room decor rules specifically for the student halls in the UK (and assumingly, across the globe). Buuuuut just to make things awkward, they typically differ depending on exactly where you’re studying.
So, it’s best to check your individual tenancy agreement before making decor changes such as hanging string lights, adding additional furniture pieces, or covering your window.
24 University Room Decor Ideas
Add a Clothes Rail
Let’s not pretend you’ll have a ton of storage space when you head off to uni. At best, you’ll be lucky to have a small closet.
So, a clothes rail is essential – but don’t think this is a purely practical decor piece. You can totally embrace your own individual style by adding string lights or a lick of paint!
Build a Bookshelf Behind Your Bed
Bookworm or not, a sleek, compact shelf behind your bed provides a discreet place to store the essentials. Consider it especially handy if you don’t have the square footage for a bedside table.
You can, of course, buy a few small shelves, but in the spirit of saving £££, why not put your ever-evolving DIY skills to good use?
TOP TIP: Extend the top piece to fit the width of your bed. This will create a full-length shelf perfect for housing a lamp, books, charging station, or otherwise.
Add Warmth with String Lights
You know we’re complete suckers for pretty string lights – it would be a crime to write a post about the best university room decor ideas without preaching one of our all-time favourite decor pieces!
Destined to transform any dark and dingy box room into a stress-reducing haven, you cannot begin the academic year without this decor staple.
Create a Cosy Space with a Beanbag
When you’re not out partying or attending lectures (and your flatmates are too much to bear!), your uni room will become your little haven of peace.
And a beanbag is the ultimate decor piece to help you create the cosiest nook.
We found this absolute B-E-A-U-T-Y of a beanbag on Amazon. Yes, it’s JUST a beanbag cover, but it can be filled with either polystyrene beads or used as a nifty storage place for spare bedding and winter clothing. Clever, right?
Put Up Plenty of Shelves
Bare walls can make a room feel cold and empty. So, creating a lived-in aesthetic from the moment you get the keys will be essential to make the place feel like home away from home.
Put up plenty of shelves and decorate them with all your favourite things – including uni must-haves!
Add a Cork Board Above Your Desk
Not only an essential for pinning up study notes, appointment cards, and whatever else, a cork board is a brilliant place to put photos and memories on display.
All this creates limitless visual intrigue in your room, making it one of the simplest but most effective university room decor ideas.
Get Cosy with Cushions & Blankets
There’s nothing better than coming home from a busy day and flopping straight into bed, is there?
One of the university room decor ideas we always stand by is filling your bed with plenty of snuggly blankets and pillows you can sink into.
Prioritise Your Mental Health with Faux Plants
Nope, we’ve not gone insane. Research says faux plants can have just as much of an impact on your mental wellbeing as the real deal.
Trust us, the last thing you’ll care about at uni is watering your green-leafed friends. So, here’s to enhancing your space (and your MH) without the constant maintenance.
Power Up with a Charging Station
Consider this an absolute *must-have* for any uni student.
Between your phone, iPad, and whatever else, you likely have a lot of tech items to power up. Which means you’ll also have a lot of cables – an eyesore, to say the least. So, keep your space tidy with a charging station.
Embrace Your Style with Wall Art
The goal with any uni room? To make it feel as homely as possible.
Wall art is a budget-friendly way to add personality to your walls whilst breaking up empty space. Go simple with a pretty print, or get inspired with motivating quotes!
TOP TIP: Command Picture Mounting Strips will be your renter-friendly bestie when putting art on your uni walls.
Get Organised with a Storage Cart
Need we say anything here? Adding a storage cart to your room is one of the best university room decor ideas that helps you get super organised and keep all your most-reached-for items in one place.
Personalise the Space with Photos
Everybody knows uni can get a little lonely from time to time, and you’ll definitely miss your home friends and family now and again. So, printing photos of your fave memories can help eradicate the blues, whilst giving your room a uniquely personal edge.
Save money on frames by grabbing some string and miniature pegs to create one-of-a-kind photograph bunting!
Create Privacy with Window Stickers
Chances are, if you’re moving into halls or dorms, you might not have the *best* outlook from your window – what can you do, ey?
But you can’t add voiles as window coverings typically need to be fireproof. So, adding a half-height frosted window sticker is definitely one of the most savvy university room decor ideas.
Bring a Fluffy Rug for Added Warmth
Whether you’re blessed with an old, tatty carpet (yuck!), or vinyl flooring, a super soft, fluffy rug is a must to add warmth and most of all, make the space feel like your own.
Brighten the Space with Lamps
During the winter months, you’ll definitely spend much more time indoors. So, your room needs to be somewhere you love hanging out, and a little mood lighting can completely transform your room from drab to fab!
Nail Your Organisation with a Storage Stool
The likelihood is that your uni room already comes equipped with a desk and a chair, but a storage stool will still come in super handy.
Perfect for storing clothes, extra blankets, bedding or otherwise, trust us, you’ll be thankful you’ve got another space to store your belongings.
Put Your Jewellery On Display
Got more jewellery pieces than you know what to do with? Make them a focal point in your uni room.
There are so many aesthetic jewellery stands that are just perfect for this. Plus, they help you keep your jewellery on rotation instead of always reaching for your faves (guilty!).
Keep Mess to a Minimum with a Laundry Bin
We know, this is technically considered an organisation must-have rather than an aesthetic decor piece. But, believe it or not, you can actually find some really trendy laundry bins!
Maximise Space with a Ladder Shelf
If you’ve read our cool home office blog, you’ll know what we’re about to say – decorating upwards as opposed to outwards is your best bet for small spaces.
So, one of our fave university room decor ideas is to introduce a compact ladder shelf for storing books, jewellery, and even clothing accessories like hats and sunglasses!
Get Comfy with a Back Support Cushion
There’ll be (plenty of) days when working from bed is all you have the energy to do.
A back support cushion is essential to maximise comfort and minimise back pain. It’s also perfect to help you relax and unwind whilst binge-watching Netflix or reading study notes.
Get Strategic with a Full-Length Mirror
Often, the dorms in student accommodation can feel dull, dingy, and cell-like. But unfortunately, you’re not guaranteed to bag the *best* room – even if you paid a little extra.
However, you can easily brighten the space with just a full-length mirror. Place it towards the back of your room to bounce light back into the space!
Simplify Your Study Sessions
When it comes to room ideas for university students, we’re all about aesthetic pieces that offer a practical edge – like an iPad stand.
Trust us, during those late-night study sessions, you’ll be thankful you made your life a little easier with this tech essential. And they look pretty cool, too.
Hide Ugly Paint Jobs
The devastation of walking into your uni room to find the most outrageously bold and undeniably ugly paint job is unmatched (or so we assume!).
So, it’s time to get crafty. Did you know there’s such a thing as stick-on wallpaper? A renter’s bestie, this allows you to transform your uni room without leaving a mark (just make sure it’s FULLY removable!).
Spotlight Your Makeup & Skincare
Of course, it wouldn’t be a “university room decor ideas” post without noting the completely unnecessary collection of makeup and skincare you’ll likely lug along with you.
We’re all about turning them into an intriguing decor piece. Consider a cosmetic organiser an aesthetic yet practical addition to your space!