Have the boring white walls of your hostel room begun singing Taylor Swift’s “Blank Space” at you? Well, if you haven’t tried to bring some life to them, they probably have. Because let’s face it, your hostel in Dehradun may be comfortable, but it has as much character as an empty matchbox. And how can it be better? It’s a tiny space with only basic furniture, after all. But you know who’s not basic? You! That’s why it’s truly unacceptable for you to be living in a space that doesn’t share your vibe.
Don’t worry though, we’re not going to ask you to spend your entire monthly allowance on dressing up your room. Because we’ve got some easy and inexpensive upgrades that can take your boring old hostel room to the next level. (And we don’t just mean hanging fairy lights.) Try these incredible hacks and you’ll find your room is the envy of all your co-residents.
Raise the bar…er…bed
Your hostel room probably already comes with a bed, so you think there’s not much you can do about it, right? Wrong. You can elevate (pardon the pun) your basic bed into a lofted bed with the help of some risers. Here’s why this hack is awesome. Risers are really inexpensive, but raising your bed can make a huge difference. You’ll be able to maximise the available space in your room, use the space below your bed for a lot more storage, and of course, use the added height to peer down on lesser mortals like the royalty that you are. All jokes apart, storing your suitcases or cubbies under the bed will free up a lot of floor space. And that’s going to come in handy for our next hack.
Get your glad rugs on
Yes, you read that right. A nice (and soft) rug can take your hostel room from a temporary space where you come to sleep after a long day, to a haven which you’ll never want to leave. Spreading a nice rug over the floor of your room works in many ways – it covers the ugly tiles or stained flooring that previous residents left behind. It gives you a soft surface to sit or lie on (because sometimes you need a change of scenery from your bed). And aesthetically, it’ll totally transform your space. Match your rug to your room decor and accents for a more traditional look or go for a statement rug that can bring life to your room.
Wall-paper up
Move over blank spaces and boring paint colours. It’s time to give your walls a new lease of life. And yes, photo collages and string lights can be great, but you’re probably tired of seeing them everywhere. Instead, you can give your walls a makeover with temporary wallpaper. These inexpensive and easy to remove sheets will give your room some much-needed character. Go for something subtle to cover your entire space or create an accent wall – the choice is yours. And since these decals are easy to peel off, your warden won’t have to worry about any paint being damaged.
Get a monthly calen-door
Okay, that’s not a real word, but what we mean is get a large calendar for the back of your door that you can rotate every month. This upgrade is quick, easy and cheap, but it can make a world of difference to your hostel life. You could buy a large calendar, or print out a template or even make one for yourself on a sheet of chart paper. Stick it on the back of your door and you’ll have a DIY appointment checklist that you can consult every time you leave your room. You can easily make a note of your submissions, meetings, library due dates etc on the calendar, and if you have a roommate, you can coordinate each other’s schedules with this hack. Having a calendar on your door will also ensure that you don’t forget about any important meetings or deadlines for the month.
Who’s the otto-man
When you were a child, you probably wanted a bean bag for your room. Well, ottomans are basically bean bags for adults, and they’re an easy multipurpose way to upgrade your hostel room. Think of how many ways you can use one ottoman – as extra seating, as a footrest, as a bedside table and so much more. Plus, if you get one that matches the colour palette of your room, it’ll take your decor to a whole new level. You can easily buy them online from different stores, or get them secondhand from a previous resident for a better price.
Of course, if you don’t want to make all this effort, you could upgrade your old hostel for a professionally managed accommodation provider like Stanza Living instead. Their fully furnished rooms are spacious and well-designed, so you don’t need to worry about upgrading them yourself. And with their accented furniture and professional housekeeping, they’ll keep your space lively and clean at the same time. All you’ll need to worry about is personalising it.
So, there you have it. Our quick and easy hacks for you to upgrade your hostel room. Try them yourself and turn your room into others’ envy.
