De-clutter:
Get rid of any junk you may have accumulated over the semester. You would be
surprised how much garbage your tiny space can actually hold. Throw out those old
essays, trash the left over take-out containers you ate from while studying for finals, recycle those beer bottles that have accumulated from the party you had two weeks ago, and do some serious cleaning. As the semester progresses, things seem to get busier and busier; but now, while the semester is just starting off, take some time to show your place a little TLC. Hey, you never know what you may find lurking in the dark corners of your room.
Organize:
Now that all the trash is out of your room, it’s time to organize what’s left. Go through drawers, your closet, your desk, and don’t forget to check under your bed. Donate old, unwanted clothes to a local charity or make a little extra cash and sell them to a consignment shop. Being organized and tidy has several advantages every college student can benefit from. This skill helps reduce stress, improve concentration, and makes a space feel more open (essential for tiny spaces like dorms and small apartments). There are storage and organization units out there to fit just about every
budget and if you happen to have a knack for crafts, the DIY possibilities are virtually
endless.
Affordable Updating:
Now the fun part, decorating. There are simple, affordable ways to update your home
away from home. Try adding some ambient lighting. Some apartments and dorms may have rules about candles (which are probably the most inexpensive way to add ambience), in which case there are flameless alternatives that give off the same glow as a candle without the hazard. Another simple way to change the lighting is to switch out the light bulb and play around with the wattage according to your mood. Try adding some new bedding, throw pillows, or even a simple quilt. At the beginning of the year, department stores mark down bedding on clearance. So snatch up the opportunity while it’s here. Choose items with colorful patterns or textures to add dimension to your room. Make your own art! Believe it or not, you don’t need to be the next Claude Monet to make a masterpiece. You can even take artwork from your childhood and frame it to give off an eclectic vibe. Make sure you add pieces that reflect your personality, so people get a sense of who you are as soon as they walk into your room.
Take the opportunity to focus on yourself this year. Make your space feel like home,
because at the end of the day that’s where you will be spending the majority of your time. So this new year, make it your resolution to put some tender love and care into your space. Comment and tell us how you will be updating your space this year!