LIFESTYLE // Room Makeover Phase 1

Wednesday 14 January 2015

Hello my lovelies!
I finally moved back to Van and my blank white walls were taunting me. It's hard enough having bedding you don't like but blank walls too? It's too much. I went on an impulse and printed lots of photos in my local Staples store (which is cheaper than other photo places if you want 5 x 7 only!) and this is the result so far. I have a lot of Instagram photos waiting to be printed so expect Phase 2 to follow soon!


First up was the addition of these beautiful calendar pages from Clemence at Oh The Lovely Things. She has collaborated with a few others to create this gorgeous Calendar which is free to download on her blog. I just popped into my local staples and printed each page as a 5 x 7 which is the perfect size. I just put them on the wall using some craft string and mini clothes pegs which cost less than $4. All in all, this was a lovely and (relatively) cheap way to add some colour to a blank wall.

Along with the calendar pages I printed out some lovely quotes I found on Pinterest. I have started a new Positive Thoughts board recently full of this sort of thing. You may have also seen this on my Instagram (which is updated pretty darn regularly!)


Lastly, as well as putting up a few photos, I added some fairy lights! Considering that I am not paying a separate electricity bill I am taking full advantage of using as much electricity as I want (sorry planet!). It really adds a nice atmosphere to my room and makes it so cosy to watch films or read a book in the evening (which may not be happening soon with all the uni work I'm about to get!)

What are your favourite ways to decorate a room for next to nothing? Let me know!

29 comments :

  1. I absolutely love what you've done here! :) The calender is SO cute and what a fab idea to print off positive, inspirational quotes! :D

    Style Sunrise ☀ // GIVEAWAY!

    :)
    x

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    1. Thank you so much! It was a cheeky pinterest find but I am now obsessed with her blog - there are so many fab DIYs!

      :)

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  2. The Pinterest quotes are lovely, I didn't know you could print things at Staples - will have to head there with my long list of photos I want to print!
    Megan x
    London Callings

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    1. I don't know if it's just a Canadian thing (and it's only really suitable for this sort of thing - you'd be better off going with Snapfish and using the free prints to be honest! They print per sheet rather than per photo - it's weird!)

      :)

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  3. Fairy lights are always a winner ;) Washi tape is excellent for getting creative with decoration stuff. I hung up a little magnetic board next to my bed and is the place where I collect all kinds of memories: little magnets that I brought from a specific holiday, or pictures, keychains, stuff that some kids made me, and so on. I can change it up very often and all the things that are on there didn't cost me a penny! ;)

    Love,
    Charline

    http://charlinehasablog.blogspot.com/

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    1. That sounds absolutely fantastic! I love that! I might have to do that back home (I'm not sure rez would be happy with me sticking a magnetic board on the wall!)

      :)

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  4. Uuuugh I'm absolutely in love with that calendar! The style is right up my street, with the string and the little pegs. You've done a fabulous job of making your dorm room look amazing :) x

    Olivia's Notebook

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    1. It's so gorgeous isn't it? I saw it and knew it needed to get printed out ASAP!
      I'm waiting a few weeks to print to some more bits and pieces so watch this space!

      :)

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  5. You've made a plain room look so cosy- those calendar printouts are a great idea!
    Jennifer x
    Ginevrella | Lifestyle Blog

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    1. There are so many fab bits and pieces to print out/use on the internet. If I had a printer I would have no ink left!

      :)

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  6. This looks really cute; I love the wall calendar especially, it's such a good idea! I have a similar thing to your quote wall using postcards from Paperchase, but I hadn't actually considered printing any of my own to go with them until now!

    Megan // Lazy Thoughts

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    1. I got a few from Paperchase too nestled into the wall. That is really what started it - now I'm spending a fortune on printing out other bits and pieces!

      :)

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  7. This looks so lovely! I really like putting fairy lights in a room, I think it makes the light so much softer. I just put some new ones up around my mirror and I am obsessed! x

    Jasmin Charlotte | UK Lifestyle Blog

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    1. Thanks lovely! I love them too and I'm so glad I finally bought some!

      :)

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  8. Your room looks so lovely and cosy! That calendar is such a sweet touch too :)

    Hannah x | hannatalks

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    1. Thank you! It's definitely my favourite bit of my room now!

      :)

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  9. I love the new look, that calendar is really cute!
    Melanie @ meandmr.com

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  10. The sentiment of the quote wall is so nice and I like what you've done with your calendar! I've got a metal, wire board I need to get cut and put into my room and I'm going to peg photos and my calendar onto it! :)

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    1. That sounds lovely! I really want to add more bits and pieces now!

      :)

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  11. Your room is so pretty. This is such a helpful post as I am currently gathering ideas for my room as I am thinking about decorating it. I love the pinterest idea! x

    OhjustAlice.blogspot.co.uk

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    1. Thanks lovely! I'd love to do more to my room (but nothing can be permanent unfortunately!) I think the most fun bit of decorating a room is all the research!

      :)

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  12. Love your room! I always say the more bunting the better. Twinkle lights always make a room feel cozy as well, which I adore. x

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    1. Thank you so much! I have had my bunting in every university room - it's just so adorable!

      :)

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  13. You've made your room look so nice and pretty!! Im really jealous. My walls are painted this horrible yellow cream colour which is just gross. I've got stuff all over my room as well so don't see much point in decorating. When I'm back living at home I'm going to start making my room nicer and more 'adult' I think. Love the calendar idea though, super pintresty!
    Emma x
    Writing Essays With Wine

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  14. That calendar is so cute! I love that you printed out inspirational quotes. I've been meaning to do that for some time for some motivation to start each day positively! :)

    Jessica
    the.pyreflies.org

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  15. I love the positive thoughts board! Totally going to give that a go!
    EvaPaige xx

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  16. So lovely! I adore the calendar <3 xo

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  17. Hey Rachael!
    I found your blog cause you commented on mine! (www.allyinblunderland.co.uk) - Thanks so much for stopping by!
    I love these kinds of posts, and the calender idea is so cute! I'm also loving the idea of a positive thought wall.. SUCH a good idea!
    My room is currently in the middle of a makeover (as it has been for the last few years.. I seriously just can't find the time!) But when I've got round to re-painting my walls, I'm totally going to be stealing some of these ideas!

    Ally

    xx

    www.allyinblunderland.co.uk

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Thank you so much for commenting! I appreciate every single one of them and will get back to them as soon as I can :)