Interior design tips for your student rooms
We recently teamed up with Luxome, a Manchester-based student homes provider, to give the students who live in their homes tips and advice on making their space personal and homely. Creativity and originality are important to us all, and making a house a home shouldn't cost the earth. Students can make small changes that make a big difference. We answered Luxome's five questions on making your newfound home unique to you.
Can you give our tenants some easy hacks to make their student bedrooms their own?
The easiest way to make a furnished room your own is to use cushions, throws, and a few accessories teamed with a couple of plants. Green plants will bring a little nature indoors and create a calming feel to the room. A few cushions in a colour you like, adding a throw with some texture and the same colour palette will warm the room up and create a cosy feel. These are also practical for propping yourself up with a cup of tea while watching TV. Finally, a few accessories will add a personal touch and make the room feel like your own.
What can our tenants do to create a productive workspace to get them in the zone?
A good desk lamp will give you enough light and enable you to focus on your task. Have all your relevant textbooks and information to hand to avoid searching for information. Organisation is key. If storage is limited, think about purchasing a small portable storage trolley to store your study books in and quickly move to your desk when you need it. These can be bought for around £30 on Amazon and other online retailers. Create a sense of calm around your desk space by adding plants.
What are the most common mistakes landlords make when furnishing and decorating properties?
Many landlords don't consider their target market when refurbishing; instead, they opt for the cheapest fittings and materials. In addition, they don't consider the needs of tenants and how they will live at the property. An essential aspect of the renovation is space planning and considering how your target market will use the space. Finally, decorating the whole room in a warm neutral will appeal to all, but not too much use of grey, which has been overused in many refurbed properties I see on the market and can make them look very dull. Furniture needs to be both practical and aesthetically pleasing. Unfortunately, too many landlords only consider the functional element of the furnishing. In today's market, how the furniture looks is just as crucial if you want to attract the best tenants. Presentation is key.
What tips would you give to any aspiring young designers?
The best tip is to make sure you get qualified and find a design studio to get an internship and learn the practical side of design. This will give you experience and help you understand what you want to focus on in your design career, residential or commercial, or another path.
Where do you draw inspiration from?
Inspiration comes from many areas. Nature, travel, and just taking note of my surroundings, what is good and what can be improved, and how I would do that. Inspiration for a colour scheme can come from a piece of art that is the client's favourite. When doing residential design. I will take my inspiration from the building, the period it was built, and the location, country, coastal, and city, then combine this with my client's likes and requirements. If staging a property for sale or rent, the property's style and the target market will inspire the finish.
