Decorating Your Personal Space (YOUR ROOM)

Rosemary Michaels

As a student, your room is not just a place where you sleep and study, but also a reflection of your personal style and the place where you find comfort. It has been scientifically proven that a clutter free and aesthetically pleasing environment can improve and promote focus and productivity.

“NOT EVERYONE IS THE SAME!” might be the words on some of y’all’s minds right now. That used to be me until I cleaned up my messy desk and suddenly felt the urge to study. That urge did fade after 30 minutes, haha, but that was just my procrastination procrastinating.

Being a student is hard, but coming back to res from a busy day of classes to a room that makes you feel better AND climbing into your perfect bed with your pillows just smiling at you, is what truly makes the world go round.

The world consists of hundreds and thousands of personality types, but this article focuses on only two; namely, minimalism and maximalism.

THIS ARTICLE IS HERE TO :

tell you how to decorate your room.

guide you into knowing how you want your room to be decorated

ARE YOU A MINIMALIST OR A MAXIMILIST?

Minimalismisadesignandlifestyle philosophythatemphasizessimplicity, functionality,andembracescleanlines andopenspaces.

Fourunderlyingprinciplesofminimalism:

1.Simplicity

2.Functionality

3.Quality

4.Mindfulness

Maximalism celebrates excess, abundance, and the use of bold colours, patterns, and textures - filled with decorative objects and creates a visually rich and vibrant environment.

Four underlying principles of maximalism:

1. Boldness

2. Visual impact

3 Layering

4. Collections

If these descriptions do not prickle your mind, here is a visual representation of minimalism and maximalism:

If one of these pictures catches your eye, then you ought to know which you like better by now.

CREATING A MASTERPIECE THAT IS YOUR ROOM:

Minimalist

1. Space and Organization: Declutter and organize your belongings. Invest in storage containers.

2. Neutral Colours: Soft colour palettes are the best at creating a minimalist look.

3. Wall decor: Even though minimalists don’t opt for statement pieces, they prefer subtle wall pieces that compliment their colour scheme The goal is not for the colours to scream, but to scheme.

4. Rugs: A soft colour fluffy rug gives a tone of softness to the room. Bonus points if the rug matches your wall decor SHEIN has lots of rugs at affordable prices, unless you are against SHEIN, then thrifting stores are your go-to!

5. Lighting: Lighting is very important. If you’re going for a desk lamp, choose pastel-coloured lamps – oh those are gorgeous! Also, remember to buy white light bulbs, as the yellow colours most probably won’t fit into your colour scheme.

6. Bedding: Invest in plain bedding sets. Not only does it help bring sophistication to your room, but you can also pair it with ANY and ALL bed decorations, like throw pillows Also, if you switch to maximalism in the future, your bedding can still be used.

Maximalist

1. Boldness: Incorporate vibrant colours, bold patterns, and unique combinations of textures and materials into decorating your room.

2. Layering: Layering helps accentuate the boldness For instance, multiple throw pillows and different coloured blankets on the bed.

3. Visual Impact: Maximalists often like making a statement. They prefer having multiple colours at once; this is where layering and collections come in Creating a visual impact can be accompanied by hanging bold murals on the wall or bold wallpapers.

4. Curated Collections: Maximalism often involves showcasing collections of art, antiques, or sentimental objects. These items contribute to the overall narrative and visual interest of the space. For instance, I like showcasing my bags on my wall.

5. Textures and Sizes: Using many types of material can bolden your room. E.g. using different sizes of pillows with different textures.

6. Lighting: Maximalists should be careful when using lighting, as lighting can bring your whole room together If you are aiming for an antique look, refrain from using a white studio light and rather use a yellow toned lamp. Thrifting can be essential when searching for antiques.

7. Wall decor: Any wall decor that is to your liking is appropriate.

8. Rugs: Rather than buying a soft fluffy rug, go for a plain, vibrant colour rug. Here, texture can also be implemented.

Another side-by-side example: See how the lighting and the vibes it brings differ?

GET STARTED AND REMEMBER:

Your room will be a continuous project, mine still is! Choose decorations that catch your eye. Shop wisely and keep looking for specials and discounts – you are still a student! No room is better than your own.