Make the most out of your space with these cheap and creative ways to bring life and excitement back into your room.

By, Allissa Hibbs

Here’s the deal: we’re facing a global pandemic that is keeping us confined in our homes, amid a dark and gloomy winter season no less. Staying at home means we are stuck looking at the same four walls every single day which, let’s be honest, gets boring. But your room should, as the wonderful Marie Kondo asserts, “spark joy” within you, not bring out sentiments of monotony. Your room is your safe haven and you are far from lacklustre; you are innovative, exhilarating and a captivating work of art. Shouldn’t your space reflect that? 

To remedy this, CanCulture has compiled a list of cheap and affordable ways you can upgrade your room, so every time your walk through your doors, it’ll feel like your very own miniature gallery

1. Add your own small paintings on the walls

Whether or not you’re an artist, adding small paintings on your walls can make your place more vibrant, artsy and creative. Buy a series of small canvases at the Dollar Store for only a dollar each, along with some colourful paint and go at it. No matter your skill level, let your imagination run amok and create some paintings that express who you are. 

Wishing it were the summertime? Paint a palm tree, the beach or even a sandcastle. Have a favourite show that makes you laugh? Paint emblems of its characters on each canvas. It doesn’t need to be perfect, but adding a bit of yourself onto the walls allows the room to truly become yours. Though painting might not be your thing, these Vancouver bloggers have a lot of creative alternatives for creating wall art. 

2. Create an ethereal cloudy experience

Who doesn’t love a cloudy day every once in a while? TikTok has recently ignited a trend (as TikTok does) for users to transform their walls using illuminating clouds. It looks hard but the upgrade is pretty simple. Get some LED lights (on Amazon for only $20) and string them along the top of your bedroom wall. Then get some cotton—you can use stuffings from an old pillowcase or teddy bear. Get some double-sided tape or glue and attach them to the wall over your lights. Turn your bedroom lights off, turn on your LEDs, and it’ll look like a cloudy thunderstorm. This aesthetic is perfect for meditation and relaxation. 

3. Warm up your room with a chunky knit blanket  

The famous chunky knit blanket is perfect for those looking for an aesthetically pleasing room that oozes comfort. This blanket is ideal for those cold winter days where you need something to warm you, but also functions just as well sitting as decor in a wooden basket. Purchasing this blanket premade can cost you well up to $300, but making it yourself can be super affordable and a way to keep you busy during the lockdown days. Like Canadian YouTuber LaurDIY does here, buy some thick yarn, get your hands ready and follow along to a YouTube video. 

4. Go from a wall to a gallery with some beautiful artwork

Fancy artwork can be expensive if you’re buying from places like Wayfair, Etsy or even Amazon. But art on the wall can truly spruce and liven up any space, and there are cheaper alternatives to achieve that effect. If you have a colour printer and a few cheap picture frames from the Dollar Store, you’re more than halfway there. Print off some of your favourite pictures online from a quick Google search and put them in the picture frames. Hang them on your wall in any format and you have artwork that looks expensive but doesn’t break the bank. 

5. Hang up a tapestry 

If you’re one to keep up with the trends of today, then hanging up a tapestry is something you’ll want to do. It is a cheap way to cover up a bland or empty wall and can give your room the custom aesthetic you’re looking for. Although tapestries can be found in most stores like Amazon and Walmart, a lot of small businesses are selling tapestries on etsy for inexpensive prices! 

6. Plants, plants, plants 

Freshness, green and good for the environment. Unless you have a cat who will dig holes in your flowerpots, add some plants to your room. It is a fantastic and affordable way to make your room look brighter while releasing oxygen into the air. 

7. Wallpaper is your friend 

Regardless of how scary and taunting it may seem to put up wallpaper, it can be a great and cheap way to entirely alter your room’s patterns and quality. If you’re looking for ways to add colour into your room during the winter months, add a floral wallpaper. If you want to transport yourself back to the ’60s, look for some bright designs and unconventional shapes in your wallpaper. Wallpaper can create texture, patterns, and dimension to your plain, colourless walls. 

Artistic wallpaper can be purchased online at Society 6 at discounted prices. Even more expensive ones are definitely worth the investment. After all, you’ve been through this tumultuous year, you should treat yourself!