Designing a Dream University Room
This month, we're handing the blog over to Immy, who has spent the last couple of years working with us part-time before heading off to university. She's sharing how she's applying everything she's learnt about interior design to create a university room that feels practical, personal and like home….
Over the past two years working part-time at Hiltingbury Interiors, I’ve learnt so much about interior design, and with September fast approaching, I can’t think of a better opportunity to put it all into practice than decorating my university room.
For me, moving to university is the start of real independent living, something I got a taste for whilst travelling South East Asia and Australia earlier this year. With this comes many exciting new opportunities but some serious challenges too. I know from experience how much my environment affects my mood; so to combat the inevitable homesickness when moving to a new city, I want to create a bedroom that feels very personal and warm. Most university rooms don’t arrive with much character, which honestly just makes the design process all the more fun!
Here’s the process I followed when designing my uni room:
Start with a moodboard. I ended up with a Pinterest board that was far bigger than it probably needed to be!
Choose your colour palette. Having a few key colours helps create a cohesive feel.
Build your shopping list. You can find my uni room checklist here.
Start with your bedding. The bed takes up a significant portion of my room, so it became the anchor for the whole scheme.
Think about lighting early.
Don’t overlook what you already own. Borrowing from family is a great way to save money for the pieces I really want to prioritise.
Making the Space Feel Like Home
Whilst working at Hiltingbury Interiors I have ben able to learn about many different interior design styles: Maximalism, Industrial, Traditional, Scandi, the list goes on and on! It has been great to expand my horizons, but also refine my specific taste. For my university room I have ended up leaning towards a mix of Scandi and Boho Chic, so it feels warm and cosy, yet not too cluttered.
Most uni rooms use very harsh overhead lighting, which can make even the nicest spaces feel too clinical. My plan is to counter this with warm bedside lighting and a few additional light sources dotted around the room. Combined with a rug to soften the floor, the space should feel more inviting underfoot and overhead.
Scent is another great way to create an atmosphere. While most university accommodations don't permit open flames, candle warmers are a brilliant and pretty solution. Equally, diffusers can be used to introduce a fragrance - I’ve got my eye on one of the flower diffusers we stock in the studio!
For my photo wall, I have been building up my prints in advance using Free Prints, which offers 45 free prints a month (excluding postage). If you are planning to do something similar, give yourself plenty of time to scroll through your camera roll. And when it comes to hanging everything without damaging the walls, command strips or white tack is the answer!
Practically Perfect
Good storage is the foundation of a calm space, and in a university room where square footage is limited, this matters even more. University wardrobes are notoriously small, so I will definitely purchase some space-saving hangers. A slim wheeled trolley tucked beside a desk is another clever storage solution, and something I've seen in a few of my friends' rooms. Taking a gap year and visiting my friends at universities up and down the country has definitely given me plenty of inspiration!
Also, don’t underestimate the value of a good mattress topper; I don't know how much sleep I will be getting, especially during Fresher’s week, but when I get the chance, a mattress topper will make a real difference.
Everyone knows an IKEA trip is practically a pre-university rite of passage, but I plan to avoid the classic IKEA crockery, so it doesn't get mixed up in the shared kitchen. Meal prepping will also be a real time-saver, so some good Tupperware, sealable oven-proof dishes and airtight containers will be worth having from day one. If I'm treating myself to one kitchen gadget, it'll definitely be an air fryer. It's quick, efficient and will definitely come into its own on those late nights when time and energy are in short supply. A few other small but important purchases on my list include a Dishmatic washing-up brush (the one you fill the handle with washing liquid!) and, of course, a bottle opener!
A Note To Finish
Getting to write this blog has been such a fitting way to round off my year working at Hiltingbury Interiors, although I still plan to help where I can while at university. I hope this gives you a few ideas, whether you're heading to university yourself or helping someone you know settle into student life. Good design isn't about budget or space. It’s about taking the time to understand yourself and the kind of environment you can truly thrive in. That applies just as much to a 12-foot student bedroom as it does to an entire house.
Now… I just need to decide which bedding to buy first. Wish me luck!