Get a Cute Room on a Budget!

Taylor Greely
Kappa Kappa Gamma

If you’re anything like me (or the rest of us here on the third floor of Kappa), you have recently entered into the winter-coma. It falls smack in the middle of this frigid season and is marked by common symptoms: your spirits are down, you don’t feel like doing anything, and the general motivation to leave your room and bed just isn’t there. It feels almost like you’re in constant need of a pick-me-up.

Whenever this happens to me I like to switch something up to get out of the rut. Redecorating can be the perfect way to do this. Did you know that your mood is actually influenced by the environment and colors around you? No wonder you seem to feel better upon entering a nicely decorated bedroom than a white-walled, plain classroom.

Plus, redecorating doesn’t have to be expensive. Little things, like small pops of color or a cute picture on the wall goes a long way. So here are some instant space-lift tips to spice up your room and brighten your mood… even when the weather outside is drab.

Enlarge black and white pictures of you and your friends: Not only does this look super cute, but it also personalizes your room. So, frame your favorite memories and get an instant pick-me-up when you glance at them daily. Websites like snapfish.com let you enlarge a picture for dirt cheap. Have one printed and find a pretty frame somewhere like TJ Maxx. If you have the wall space, get three and line them up!

Curtains: It's amazing how much curtains can add to a room. You can buy some basic ones cheap at Target, or if you’re feeling crafty go to an arts supply store and get fabric to make your own. If you don’t have a curtain rod, they’re only a few dollars at Big Lots. For a finishing touch, get a bright ribbon and tie it in a bow around either side to let in the sunshine!

Hang pictures from a ribbon: Once again, cute ribbon is always something you want to keep handy. Fill a long awkward space by hanging a ribbon and sticking pictures vertically from top to bottom. Its an instant space filler and one of the easiest and cheapest things you can do!

Paint a bulletin board: Get a cheap cork board at Wal-Mart and paint it! Mine is black and I’ve created the illusion of frames by sticking pictures to it and leaving space in between them. But you can paint it any color and use it for memos, your calendar, decorations or anything else you can thin of.

Make a ribboned picture board: Like the above, you’ll need a cheap cork board for this. You’ll be able to find more detailed instructions online, but the point is to cover the board with pretty fabric and then wrap it diagonally with ribbon. When you’re done, just tuck some pictures into the ribbon. Perfect for displaying your favorites.

 Paint some letters: They can be your sorority letters, your name, or just your initials. You can do polka dots, stripes or freehand a design with all kinds of colors. When you’re done, hang them above your desk or bed, or even just set them on your vanity to add a little extra something.

Removable decals: Quotes, polka dots, words, and everything in between. They sell them at Marshalls, TJ Maxx and they even have them at the Barnes and Noble on campus. They’re quite inexpensive, a cinch to apply and because they’re removable, you can switch them up as much as you like!

Go to Hobby Lobby: For the non-crafter, Hobby Lobby has a ton of cute quotes and decorations for the walls in just about every color imaginable. I highly recommend checking them out if you’re not feeling up to the crafting.

And one last rule of thumb. When you’re decorating or redecorating, make sure to pick a color scheme. Whether it’s a range of colors (like red, yellow and orange) or just two colors like bright pink and lime green. If you get too many colors going it can be messy. The look is much cleaner and pleasant when you stick with one or a few.

Last but not least, have fun with it! You’ll enjoy the room more when you feel at home in it and when it reflects your personal style. So be creative, try new things and get crafty. When you have your own little sanctuary, the cold dismal winter may not seem as bad. 

Taylor is a junior studying strategic communication and design.  You may contact her at greely.4@osu.edu.