We spend a lot of time in our bedrooms, so making sure this space is comfortable can help create a relaxing, safe, and homely environment. For students on a tight budget, this can take a bit of extra thought, but it’s possible to do so without overspending.
Personalise Your Bedroom Without Spending Too Much
One of the easiest ways to make your bedroom feel like home is to personalise it. Before buying anything new, add items you already own. After doing this, think about what’s missing or could make your room feel more homely, such as a scented candle or a houseplant. Write a list, and set yourself a realistic budget. Looking in places like charity shops and reduced sections can help prevent overspending.
Free Up Space on a Budget
An untidy bedroom isn’t pleasant. Start by getting rid of items you no longer need to free up space. If you have time, selling these is a great way of making a bit of extra money. Next, look for any boxes, baskets and containers you already have that can be used for storage to help your room feel less cluttered. If you have room under your bed, you can also use it for storage space.
Create a Budget-Friendly Study Space in Your Bedroom
A dark, messy desk in the corner of your bedroom isn’t going to motivate you to get work done. Position your desk so it’s near a window to make use of natural light. This not only helps you save on your energy bill but can also help you focus. Simple study tools like pens, notebooks, and highlighters can be bought for cheap from local supermarkets and can help make your study sessions more efficient. To stay organised and prevent clutter, use a mug you don’t use much anymore or a small box to hold pens and other study items.
Stay Warm Without Increasing Your Energy Bills
Turning the heating on can keep your space warm when studying or relaxing, but students should be mindful of how they use it. Having a heating schedule that fits around when people are home minimises unnecessary energy usage. At the same time, there are several ways students can keep warm without using the heating too often. Wearing warm layers, using a hot water bottle, and keeping a cosy blanket close by are all great ways to heat yourself rather than the room. You can also stop cold air coming in by keeping draught excluders along the bottom gap of your door. If you’re using your bedroom during the day, keeping the curtains open can help brighten and warm the room.
Use Lighting Wisely to Create a Comfortable Bedroom Environment
When natural lighting isn’t available, electric lighting can help keep your bedroom bright, but it’s important to use it efficiently to avoid excessive energy use. When doing focused work like studying or reading, using a desk lamp can provide focused light to help you concentrate, and it often uses less electricity than the main light. Buying a desk lamp with an LED bulb can also help you save on your energy bill, as they use less electricity than traditional bulbs. Using warm fairy lights in the evening can also help you wind down and prevent the need to turn on the main light.
Improve Your Sleeping Environment
A comfortable space can lead to better sleep, which is important when you have a heavy schedule filled with lectures and study sessions. You can improve your sleeping environment on a budget by:
- Buying cosy bedding: Choose affordable but breathable materials like cotton-polyester blends, and keep an eye out in sale sections for cheaper options.
- Reducing noise with earplugs: If you’re struggling to sleep because of noisy housemates or the sound of traffic, then foam earplugs can be an inexpensive option.
- Blocking Out Unwanted Light: A dark room can help you sleep better. If your curtains let in a lot of light, consider buying a cheap sleep mask.
- Keeping your bedroom at a comfortable temperature: Overheating it can actually interrupt sleep.
Manage Your Student Bills With The Student Energy Group
At The Student Energy Group, we’re a student bills company that understands the last thing you want to be worrying about is your bills. We’ll combine all your household bills, including electricity, water, gas, internet, and TV licence, into one monthly statement that you and your housemates can split equally between you. We even plant a tree for every household that signs up with us as a step towards a brighter future. Get a free no-obligation quote from us today; it takes less than two minutes.
