Design and style aside, most people can agree that a room isn’t quite complete without a little bit of decoration on the walls – wheter that’s in the form of prints, artwork or photographs.
As you move into your new student halls or shared house, considering what you’re going to bring to brighten up your blank canvas is just as important as the pots and pans you’ll be ladened with.
Over the course of lockdown, the gallery wall trend came out in full – with people adorning their blank walls with a myriad of pieces in a bid to add a bit of brightness. Our expert guide to creating an Instagram-worthy wall is well worth a read if you’re looking for a helping hand. Particularly, because you can create something bold in your student digs, and it needn’t cost a fortune.
The art world has come a long way over the years and is no longer an industry that is solely accessible to insiders and those prepared to spend large amounts of money. Today, with the influx of online art-buying destinations, it means even your student budget will be able to stretch to pretty posters to add a pop of colour.
Many artists, illustrators and printmakers are making their unique designs into digital prints ready to be framed or hung how they come. Some of which can be delivered directly to you, while others you can print off yourself.
Prints are a modern, crisp and unfussy way to make your new place feel your own, and they look great whether framed, hung from binder clips, or stuck to the wall with command strips or Blu Tack (just be careful of the paintwork when moving out).
Whether you’re renting a new house with your uni pals, or you’re settling in solo to halls, giving your space a little slice of your own personality will go a long way in making it feel more homely, particularly important during this turbulent time.
Let our guide help you choose the affordable prints to emblazon your university room with, so you can transform your space from concrete block to boudoir.
You can trust our independent reviews. We may earn commission from some of the retailers, but we never allow this to influence selections. This revenue helps us to fund journalism across The Independent.
The Print Arcade love 1989 poster: From £4.50, Print Arcade
What a great way to add a pop of colour to a room than with this YSL-inspired print. We love the pink, but there is a range of others on offer too – and you might even be able to find one that can commemorate a special year in your life.
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Audrey Rose Design Shop Matisse: From £3.66, Etsy
You’ll likely to have seen a lot of the Matisse-inspired interior trend of late, and we love this cotton canvas print. The clashing hues and bold shapes will liven up any blank space, and with such high quality at an affordable price point, you can’t go wrong. Owing to the fact it’s printed on cloth, it’s best to frame this one – do so in this gold frame (Ikea, from £6). If you do choose to frame this (or any for that matter), you’ll want Command picture hanging strips (Amazon, £4.99) so that you won’t have to leave any holes in the walls.
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Eleanor Bowmer let’s boogie print: From £15, Eleanor Bowmer
It’s out with nights to the SU and in with kitchen parties with members of your household, and there’s no better way to remind you all to boogie in the new term than with this bright print. The clashing colours and the Seventies-inspired typography will mean it will easily add a little bit of personality to your room (or shared living space). It comes unframed and will work well stuck on the wall with Blu Tack (just be careful when feeling it off when you move out).
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Iconicos print ‘Reservoir Dogs’ movie Quentin Tarantino: From £9.19, Etsy
A mixed media print is a cool way to start building your collection. The background is made from repurposed dictionary pages and includes a selection of words (such as adventure, believe, dream, happy, hope, life and make). If you’re a fan of Tarantino movies, this one is for you.
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Fire and Birch work hard play hard wall art: From £12, Etsy
Your heading to uni to start a new degree, perhaps it’s something you’ve never studied before, and are totally new to it. Allow this print to serve as an all-important reminder to work hard, but also have fun while you’re there. It also comes in black and white, and yellow and pink. Pop it in a black frame (Wilko, £2.50) so it really packs a punch – if you’re after frames, check out Wilko’s affordable range.
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Juniqe single ladies print: From £6.95, Juniqe
If you’re a Beyoncé fan and loved the “Single Ladies” music video, this poster is for you – it has an illustration for each of Beyoncé’s moves accompanied by the catchy lyrics, so you can perfect your dancing. It was even awarded the IndyBest buy in our guide to the best prints for under £100, and be sure to take a look at the collection of posters on Junqiue, as it is extensive.
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Desenio green leaves pattern poster: From £9.71, Desenio
If you’re not sure you’ll be able to keep a house plant alive while at uni, then consider this poster a good way to inject some greenery into your new home. What’s particularly great is it’ll stand out against a plain white wall. Desenio, a Scandinavian interior design company, sells posters that cover a huge range of tastes that are also available in lots of different sizes, so do check it as there’s bound to be something there for you.
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If you’re unsure on what to take with you to university, be sure to check out our guide to the essentials you need to pack, and our handy round-up of affordable soft furnishings will help you feel at home in no time
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