INDOOR DECOR

Tips and Tricks to make your space reflect your style | Story by Liv George. Photos by Breahna Crosslin and Michael Dunn.

Let’s be honest, we’ve all spent the last *checks calendar* year or so locked in our homes, without much else to do. If you’ve gotten to an extreme level of boredom, you’ve probably thought about throwing away everything you own and starting over in a van, traveling the country. But, since that isn’t the most realistic plan, you probably settled for rearranging your bedroom, dorm, apartment, whatever you have available to you. As college students, we usually live in rentals, which can seriously cramp your style in terms of what decorations are allowed. However, those limitations do not keep you from creating a cozy and homey atmosphere, wherever you are. In the spirit of redecorating, especially during the spring cleaning season, here’s some rental-friendly decor inspiration for your next big room-rearrangement-session.

Maximalism is for people who love lots of runs to the thrift store, flea market, and garage sales. The style features lots of….everything! That’s what makes maximalism fun, the only rule is “more.” More color, more patterns, more throw pillows, more everything! Of course, you don’t have to overwhelm yourself with the decor, but maximalism is all about displaying all your fun knick-knacks, your cool art prints, and even your houseplants.

Key features

• Variety of textures, colors, and patterns • Unique statement pieces-especially as wall art • Mix of layered decor like houseplants, floor pillows, books, statues, etc. • Cozy, bohemian, vibe

Maximalism

minimalism

Minimalism is for those who want a cute yet simple and de-cluttered space. The rule for minimalism is “less is more.” Often, minimalist spaces have a centerpiece of sorts: a fluffy throw blanket, a pop of color, a painted canvas. Everything else in the space is inspired, in some way, by the centerpiece. Of course, this is not how every minimalist decorates a room, but it’s the easiest starting point! Minimalism is great for college students on a budget, you can make what decor you may already have look cozy, luxurious, and stylish.

Key Features

• Color scheme--usually lighter neutral with an accent color • Clean lines • Gold or brass accents • Marble texture • Fine art prints as decor • Luxury, high-class vibe

Some DIY ideas to spruce up your rental:

• Contact Paper: If you absolutely loathe the countertops or cabinets at your apartment, consider investing in some peel-n-stick contact paper. It will protect your actual countertops underneath and is designed for easy removal at the end of your lease. You can also get peel-n-stick wallpaper to create an accent wall in your space. • Art prints & Frames: Your local CVS or FedEx will print your photographs in almost any size, for very little money. Frames can be found at the dollar store. Combine the two and you can have a quick and easy gallery wall in your space. If you aren’t allowed to put holes in the wall, the frames will stick easily with command strips as well. • Utilize your ceilings: This one depends on your rental agreement, but ceilings are highly useful for decoration. WIth screw-in ceiling hooks (make sure they are strong enough for what you’re hanging!), you can quickly hang trailing plants or create unique overhead lighting with hanging pendant lights or string lights.