March 7, 2017
If you currently have a Pinterest account, then at some point in your life you’ve probably set a personal goal to turn your bedroom (and your whole house, for that matter) into one of those chic, minimalist rooms that are Pinterest- and Instagram-worthy.
How many times have you found yourself immersing yourself in all things DIY? Pinterest seems to have it all. You can turn old CD cases into picture frames, redecorate your old cork board with some ribbon, and even buy cheap Christmas lights to create romantic mood lighting.
But as inspirational as Pinterest may be, there are often too many ideas to even know where to start with. So, if you’re looking for tips to redecorate your room, here are ten good places to start:
Even if you’re moving into a new room, make sure it’s spotless before you start decorating! If you’re still in school, you can start by throwing out any assignments at the end of each term. While you’re at it, throw out any junk and keepsakes you’ve accumulated in the past couple of months. Avoid keeping small knick-knacks you think you’ll use in the future because it’ll probably just take up space in your room anyway. Once you’ve thrown everything away, any nostalgic items can be put into stackable storage boxes. Think about buying containers that you can stack neatly in your closet or fit underneath your bed.
Okay, now that your room is clean, get ready for some heavy lifting. Try moving your bed to another location in your room. Put it next to a window for some bright sunlight. Or put it in a corner to create more space in your room. If you’re feeling extra bold, you can even put your bed in the middle of the room. Regardless of where you put it, your room is sure to look like a whole new space!
If you’re going for a more minimalist feel, then sticking to a neutral palette is the way to go. To start off simple, try combining black and white sheets and furniture with a few added accent items. An accent item could be something as simple as a light blue pillow atop white a white bedspread or four red frames against a solid black wall. Better Homes and Gardens suggests thinking about whether or not you want a cool or warm space. Cool spaces have a lot of blues and greens while warm spaces are filled with fiery reds, yellows or oranges. However, if you want a broader color scheme, then try buying a bed set you really like and sticking to the featured colors.
Do you have a plain wall that needs to be updated? Are you in an on-campus apartment with hideous wall that needs to be covered? Well, instead of spending tons of money on new wallpaper, all you need to solve your problem are rolls of wrapping paper and blue tape. Using wrapping paper is a good way to create an accent wall and to cover up unattractive features, including bad paint jobs. Not only that, but it is also a wonderful way to add personality and character to a room. Just think about how great a black and white striped wall would look in a previously plain room!
All the good Pinterest rooms have beds covered in pillows. Throw pillows come in all shapes and designs, so there is bound to be one that fits your style and preferences. In addition to sprucing up your bed, a plethora of pillows can actually help you avoid having to perfectly make your bed everyday. Pillows can hide your messy sheets and blankets. So, for those of you who are always on the go, use pillows to make your bed look nicer and more comfortable.
Putting photos of your loved ones around your room is another great way to personalize a room and to make it feel like home. Don’t think you have to be limited to putting a plain picture frame on a desk. You could buy some paint to repaint your old, lifeless frames. You could even repurpose other old materials such as CD covers and put those on a wall. Or, you could use clothespins to hang them on some colorful yarn. Also, remember not all pictures have to be developed. You could print small photos and create a collage to save money on developing photos, for instance. Adding photos from Polaroid cameras is a great way to add a lot of character to a boring room.
Curtains are a great way to add color, style and privacy to a room. According to Apartment Therapy, “Curtains complete a room.” But it’s also important to know how to properly hang curtains properly. Apartment Therapy suggests measuring window lengths so you can be sure you’re using enough fabric. If you have long curtains that touch bunch up at the ground, hang them higher to make an illusion of a bigger window. Also, avoid getting curtains that are too short and don’t graze the floor since this can cut off your room.
If your landlord allows, consider putting things such as lamps and bookshelves on your walls. This clears up so much space on your floor, your desk and overall room. Besides, seeing a stack of books on a wall just looks so much cooler than squishing them in a bookshelf.
Although washi tapes are a tad pricey, their cute designs and patterns can really liven up a room. You can use washi tape to decorate the corners of bookshelves, add some life to old picture frames, or even add funky-colored geometric shapes to your walls. For example, if the outside of your door is feeling a bit bland, then use washi tape to create a design on it.
Lastly, think about your lighting. As previously stated, you can hang your lamps on the wall. Or, for a more romantic mood, hang Christmas lights over your bed, around your room, or on a wall. You can also make your own lamps with wine bottles and fairy lights. Overall, adding new light is a great way to create a new atmosphere in your room!
There you have it! Start your redecorating efforts by cleaning and creating a blank canvas from which your creativity can flow. Then, express yourself through the things you put inside your room. Decorating your room is a wonderful way to get a fresh start and to feel good about a space in which you spend a lot of time. Something as simple as changing the color scheme or adding photos of your friends and family can make you feel better at the end of a long, stressful day. What are you waiting for? You, too, can have a Pinterest- and Instagram-worthy room adorned in Christmas lights, DIY crafts and lots of pillows.
