September 26, 2017, by Shweta

How To Make Halls Feel More Like Home

With the start of the new academic year, a lot of you will be moving into halls for the first time ever! As exciting as that exclamation mark makes it seem, the move is rarely anything but time consuming, messy, and tiring. Trading in your comfy bedroom back home for the shoebox that is uni accommodation can be daunting; but don’t worry, there are plenty of ways to make your new home feel just as good as your old one.

• First impressions are not last impressions. While this cliché might apply in other areas of life, don’t let the initial impressions of your new room bring you down. With all your stuff moved in and some knick-knacks and pictures thrown around, it’ll look so homely, colourful and comfortable that you might not want to leave.

 

• They’re right, a picture is worth a thousand words. Having photos of your friends, family and/or pets from back home will help ease the discomfort in those first few weeks. I mean, how could you possibly feel lonely when you look up at the wall and see a photo of your adorable little puppy back home??

 

• Prioritise your bed. If you’re anything like me, you’ll probably be spending most of your free time in bed. Plus, in such a small room, your bed is definitely a focal point. Try adding a foam topper or spending a few quid extra on a good pillow, it’ll be worth it. For me, it was a fluffy blanket that has now become my Netflix time special. Bringing a comforter or throw from home can also add some home-grown TLC.

 

• Make some music. This is less of an interior designing hack and more of a way to jazz up your room (pun intended). Having different Spotify playlists for when you’re studying, showering or just relaxing will add to the atmosphere of your dorm and give it some personality. It’s also a great conversation starter if your neighbor happens to like the same music you do! Just make sure you’re not being too loud, especially late at night or during the exam period.

Moving away from home is hard enough to begin with and being unhappy in your own space won’t make it easier. These tips will help you get started and who knows, maybe you’ll find a new love for interior designing once you’re done.

 

Until next time,

Shweta

PSA: Please check with your dorm management before making any big changes to your room. Most halls are quite strict with what’s permitted in the rooms and you don’t want ignorance or nonchalance to cost you your deposit at the end of the year.

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