How to Make Your Student Apartment Feel Like Your Own House?

Published on: 23 December 2023 Last Updated on: 13 September 2024
Student Apartment

Feeling a bit homesick while away at college is pretty common and almost everyone goes through it at some point. And, if you are a student living abroad in student housing, it might be even more difficult for you. 

Feeling a bit homesick while away at college is pretty common, and almost everyone goes through it at some point. And, if you are a student living abroad in student housing, it might be even more difficult for you. 

After all, being in a different environment, like student apartments, can sometimes make you feel disconnected from home. First things first, you might need to find apartments near campus so that you can at least save some commute time. 

The good news is — there are several other strategies that’ll help you make your new place feel just like your own house.  Let’s keep reading to know more about it.

Let’s keep reading to know more about it.

1: Add a Little Bit More Light

Improving the brightness of your living space is essential for comfort and health. Dim or insufficient lighting can create a dreary atmosphere, making your student accommodation feel cramped and less inviting. Enhancing the illumination may also create a curious illusion of spaciousness, akin to the roominess of your bedroom back home. 

If your current light fixtures aren’t effective, consider investing in stylish lamps to brighten up your place. Not only will this boost the ambiance, but it’ll also revive the space, making it feel more lively and homely. Choosing lamps that align with your personal style will not only add a touch of flair but also bring back the cozy feelings of home that you’re missing.

2: Instill Life in Those Lifeless Walls 

If your new apartment has plain white walls and feels a bit empty, bringing in cherished photos or posters can liven up the space. 

Whether it’s capturing your family moments or displaying images of beloved sports icons, incorporating these elements, can personalize your living area. 

Consider engaging a professional house painter in CT or a painting company in Prospect, CT, to introduce more depth and texture to your walls with a fresh coat of paint.

3: The Plants… Don’t Forget Them

If you enjoy plants but lack the time or skill for care, consider placing a few low-maintenance plants in your student apartment. 

They can bring color, improve air quality, and enliven your living area effortlessly. 

However, if you don’t have the time or inclination for plant care, there are a lot of attractive artificial plants available that can still lend a sense of style and coziness to your new home.

4: Blankets, Rugs, and Pillows Can Be Your Best Friend

Simple tile, carpets, or hardwood floors might lack excitement. 

To spruce things up, consider adding stylish throw rugs to your apartment—they not only enhance decor and color but also bring comfort and a personal touch. 

Additionally, throwing blankets and vibrant pillows on sofas and chairs might further elevate your space with a touch of flair.

5: Gather Your Favorite Food and Stuff

Food serves as a strong cultural link and a way to bring people together, although it can also spark heated debates like the pineapple pizza controversy. It holds significant value in our lives, often tied to cherished family recipes. 

Exploring those recipes with loved ones can be a wonderful experience. Yet, not all favorite dishes originate from family recipes; some hail from local restaurants. 

Recreating these meals can be achieved through copycat recipes found online or by purchasing specialty sauces or dishes from these establishments. If all else fails, discovering new eateries can lead to new culinary favorites and create fresh memories.

6: Make Your Space Smell Better

Is there a particular aroma that evokes the feeling of being home? It could be the comforting scent of your mom’s Sunday morning cinnamon buns or the nostalgic fragrance of garden flowers from your childhood bedroom. 

Whatever brings you that sense of security, consider finding ways to incorporate that smell into your space. If burning candles isn’t an option in your apartment, there are alternatives like oil diffusers, wax melts, and candle warmers that can help recreate that familiar scent.

7: Have a Motivating Study Space

In college, studying is inevitable. While some apartments offer study rooms, you might opt to carve out your own study nook within your place. 

Thankfully, the additional room in an apartment lets you craft a cozy workspace to ease the studying grind. Locate a peaceful corner with minimal interruptions. Then, deck it out with a comfy chair, a quality reading lamp, and enjoyable stationery to amp up your study vibes.

8: Cozy and Ambient Lighting

Fluorescent lights commonly found in dorm rooms might not be appealing. Instead, opt for a stylish desk lamp for your study area or a larger floor lamp to illuminate the entire space. 

You could also think about getting a budget-friendly light timer to automatically switch on your lamps in the evening. 

Walking into a softly lit room late at night creates a much more inviting atmosphere than entering a completely dark space.

Cozy and Ambient Lighting

FAQs – Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How can I personalize my student apartment on a budget?

Personalizing on a budget is possible! Consider using affordable decor items like posters, string lights, and inexpensive furniture. DIY projects and second-hand stores are also great options.

Q: What are some easy ways to add a personal touch to my living space?

Incorporate items that reflect your personality, such as photos, artwork, or memorabilia. Adding throw pillows, rugs, and curtains in your favorite colors can also make a significant difference.

Q: How can I maximize storage in a small apartment without making it feel cluttered?

Optimize vertical space with shelves and organizers. Use under-bed storage bins, wall-mounted hooks, and multi-functional furniture like ottomans with hidden storage to keep things organized.

Q: Can I paint the walls of my student apartment, or are there alternative options for adding color?

Check with your landlord first regarding painting. If not allowed, use removable wallpaper, wall decals, or large fabric panels to add color and personality without causing damage.

Q: How can I create a productive study space within my apartment?

Choose a quiet area with good lighting and invest in a comfortable chair and desk. 

Personalize the space with motivating quotes, plants, and organizational tools to make it conducive to studying.

Q: Are there any low-maintenance plants that are suitable for a student apartment?

Yes, consider plants like snake plants, pothos, or succulents that require minimal care. These can add a touch of nature to your space without demanding too much attention.

Q: Any advice for maintaining a clean and organized apartment?

Develop good habits, such as cleaning up after yourself daily and having a designated place for everything. Regular decluttering sessions and a cleaning schedule can help maintain a tidy and organized living space.

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Nabamita Sinha loves to write about lifestyle and pop-culture. In her free time she loves to watch movies and TV series and experiment with food. Her favourite niche topics are fashion, lifestyle, travel and gossip content. Her style of writing is creative and quirky.

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3 Amazing Flower Street Garden – How to Design?

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how to harvest asparagus-

Asparagus 101: When, How, And How Often To Harvest?

If you are a gardener like me, you must have thought about harvesting greens that you eat at restaurants at your house. One of these days, I was with my friends from my university, and we were discussing the importance of eating veggies for staying healthy. And they could not figure out the best ways to effectively do so. Reading my previous blog about cilantro, Laila asked me, “how to grow and harvest asparagus?” Well, surely asparagus is one of the most delicious and nutritious vegetables you can grow in your garden. But what a lot of people do not know is that it's also one of the easiest once you know how to harvest asparagus properly. In this article, I will cover everything you need to know about harvesting asparagus, from when to start, how to cut, and how often to do it. Additionally, I will also share some tips on how to store and freeze asparagus, as well as the benefits of eating this green wonder. So, keep on reading till the end to learn more...  How Does Asparagus Grow? 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As the spears emerge, more soil is added until the trench is filled Benefits of Asparagus  https://giphy.com/gifs/food-asparagus-taylor-lee-nicholson-pejh5q5BBXxi2m4PgF Asparagus is not only tasty, but also healthy. It's low in calories and high in fiber, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants just like spinach. It can help lower blood pressure, regulate blood sugar, support digestion, and prevent urinary tract infections. Asparagus also contains a compound called asparagine, which is a natural diuretic that helps flush out excess fluids and salts from the body. Asparagus is also a good source of folate, which is essential for pregnant women and fetal development When to Harvest Asparagus? The first year after planting, you should not harvest any asparagus spears, as they need to grow and strengthen the root system. The second year, you can harvest a few spears for a short period, about two to three weeks. 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Prepare the Soil  Prepare the soil by adding organic matter, such as compost or manure, and adjusting the pH to 6.5 to 7.5. You can use a soil test kit to check the pH and nutrient levels of your soil. You may also need to add some fertilizer, such as 10-10-10 or 10-20-10, to boost the phosphorus and potassium content. Dig it Deep Dig a trench about 8 to 12 inches deep and 12 to 18 inches wide. You can make the trench longer or shorter depending on how many asparagus crowns you have. Asparagus crowns are the dormant roots of the plant that you can buy from nurseries or online. They usually have one-year-old or two-year-old crowns, which are more reliable and productive than seeds. Fertilize Spread some fertilizer along the bottom of the trench, about 2 pounds per 100 square feet. Then, cover the fertilizer with 2 to 3 inches of soil, forming a ridge in the center of the trench. Placing the Plant Place the asparagus crowns on top of the ridge, about 12 to 18 inches apart, with the buds facing up. The crowns should be slightly below the soil surface, about 1 to 2 inches deep. Do not bury them too deep, as this will delay the emergence of the spears. Focus on the Crown Cover the crowns with another 2 to 3 inches of soil, and water well. As the spears grow, gradually fill in the trench with more soil, until it is level with the ground. This will help protect the crowns from frost and weeds. Add Mulch  Mulch the bed with straw, leaves, or wood chips, to conserve moisture and prevent weeds. You can also add some organic fertilizer, such as fish emulsion or seaweed extract, every few weeks during the growing season, to encourage healthy growth. Keep in Mind Do not harvest any asparagus spears in the first year, as they need to establish a strong root system. In the second year, you can harvest a few spears for a short period, about two to three weeks. 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You should then let the spears grow into ferns, which will replenish the crown and prepare it for the next season. How to Store and Freeze Asparagus? Unlike lettuce, which you can store for more than a week, asparagus is best eaten fresh, as it loses its flavor and texture quickly. If you can't eat it right away, you should store it in the refrigerator for up to a week. To keep it fresh, you should trim the ends of the spears and stand them upright in a glass of water or wrap them in a damp paper towel and put them in a plastic bag. If you want to preserve asparagus for longer, you can freeze it. To freeze asparagus, you should first wash and trim the spears, and then blanch them in boiling water for two to three minutes, depending on the thickness.  Blanching is a process of briefly cooking and cooling the vegetables to stop the enzyme activity that causes them to spoil.  After blanching, you should drain and cool the spears, and then pack them in freezer bags or containers, leaving some space for expansion. You can freeze asparagus for up to a year, and use it in soups, casseroles, or stir-fries. How to Prevent and Treat Asparagus Pests and Diseases?  Asparagus is generally a hardy and resilient plant, but it can still suffer from some pests and diseases that can affect its growth and quality. Here are some of the most common problems that affect asparagus plants, and how to prevent or treat them: Asparagus beetles These are small, black or red beetles that feed on the spears and the ferns, causing them to wilt and turn brown. They can also lay eggs on the spears, which hatch into larvae that chew on the stems and leaves. To prevent asparagus beetles, you should keep the area around the plants clean and weed-free, and remove any old or damaged spears. To treat asparagus beetles, you can hand-pick them and their eggs, or spray them with insecticidal soap or neem oil. Fusarium wilt This is a fungal disease that infects the roots and the crowns of the plants, causing them to rot and die. It can also cause the spears to become yellow, twisted, and stunted. Fusarium wilt is more likely to occur in poorly drained, acidic, or infested soil.   To prevent fusarium wilt, you should plant disease-resistant varieties, rotate crops, and avoid overwatering or injuring the plants. To treat fusarium wilt, you should remove and destroy any infected plants, and apply fungicides to the soil. Rust This is another fungal disease that affects the ferns, causing them to develop orange or brown spots and pustules. Rust can reduce the vigor and yield of the plants, and make them more susceptible to other diseases. Rust is more likely to occur in humid, wet, or shady conditions.   To prevent rust, you should plant resistant varieties, space the plants well, and prune any excess or infected ferns. To treat rust, you should apply fungicides to the ferns, and avoid watering them from above. Crown rot This is a bacterial disease that causes the crowns and the bases of the spears to become soft, mushy, and foul-smelling. Crown rot can spread quickly and kill the plants. Crown rot is more likely to occur in wet, compacted, or poorly drained soil. To prevent crown rot, you should plant healthy crowns, improve the drainage and aeration of the soil, and avoid overwatering or injuring the plants. To treat crown rot, you should remove and destroy any infected plants, and disinfect the tools and the soil. Bonus: How to Cook and Enjoy Asparagus?  There are many ways to cook and enjoy asparagus, from steaming, boiling, roasting, grilling, to sautéing. The key is not to overcook it, as it will become mushy and lose its flavor. You should cook asparagus until it is bright green and crisp-tender, which usually takes about 5 to 10 minutes, depending on the method and the thickness of the spears. You can season asparagus with salt, pepper, butter, lemon juice, garlic, herbs, cheese, or any other condiments you like. You can also pair asparagus with eggs, bacon, ham, chicken, fish, pasta, rice, or salad. Asparagus is a versatile and delicious vegetable that can complement any meal. Wrapping It Up! Asparagus is a wonderful vegetable that you can grow and harvest in your own garden. It's easy to care for, once you know how to harvest asparagus properly. You should harvest asparagus when the spears are about 6 to 10 inches tall and before the tips start to open up. You should cut the spears at the base and leave some on the plant to grow into ferns. It would be best to store asparagus in the refrigerator for later use. And yes, you should also enjoy the many benefits and flavors of asparagus, by cooking it in various ways and pairing it with different dishes. Asparagus is a springtime delight that you don't want to miss. Learn More About: Planting & Harvesting Mint 7 Health Benefits of Black Seed Oil Spirulina: The Complete Plant Based Protein Source | Health Benefits

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Zapping Light Bulbs

How Effective are Bug Zapping Light Bulbs

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