A few years back, I looked around my room and realized that my clutter wasn’t “decoration” or “chic” at all, I could hardly walk around my room without stepping on some random barbie that I hadn’t played with in ages. I had water bottles everywhere, and the only form of decoration I really had was mainly stuff my mom bought me, which isn’t bad of course, but combined with the clutter everywhere, I realized my room probably isn’t the most comfortable or mentally soothing place for me, despite me being in it constantly.

I looked on TikTok for room decoration ideas, from painted CD’s (look… it was trendy at the time okay?) to entirely new furniture, hanging up paintings, etc. I realized that none of this was actually attainable for me at the time (including using glue strong enough to hold a CD on my wall), especially at my age! My mom paid for my furniture set, so randomly switching it would be not only a hassle, but borderline not even worth it. I couldn’t just hang paintings cause I didn’t want holes in the wall, plus I’d need help for that, and I wanted to be a “girlboss”, so asking for help was LAST on my list.

I decided the best option would be to beautify what I had, and get a few tiny things on the side.

1. I bought LED light strips/bulbs! People underestimate how much lighting changes the feel of a space, can you IMAGINE walking into a hospital with warm accent lighting? I have around four different led lights, one strip outlining my bedroom door to my closet, one strip wrapped around my monitor for backlighting, an aurora projector I took from my mom, (sorry mommy!) and an led light bulb in my lamp! I usually try to use complementary colors on the color wheel for each of my lights, it makes your room feel like a movie scene! Now, I didn’t just spend like, 300 dollars on lights, I bought my LED strips on amazon and five below (one was 5 dollars, one was 9) and my color LED bulb at Home Depot for like, 11 dollars, and they’ve lasted me quite a while!
2. I printed some posters! I have at least 20 posters on my walls that I printed at home, It really adds a pop of color if you match them to your bedding or furniture! There’s also a few platforms that offer free/really cheap prints you can get mailed to your house, so if you don’t want to use all your ink, maybe try those! If you can’t do both of those options, cut up some old magazines, use some things from an old picture book if you have any, or try some family photos/polaroid pictures! (Also, PLEASE use the cheapest tape possible to tape it to the wall, we are NOT going for quality or it can rip your paint off!!)
3. Grab a candle! First, if there’s any kids reading this, maybe ask for a candle warmer or even room spray for Christmas instead, DO NOT deal with open flames!! I truly think that the main thing that sets a calm mood is a nice smell, it’s really hard for your brain to fully relax if your room smells like the McDonald’s you had earlier! Lighting a candle or turning on your candle warmer really sets the visual and smell for comfort and relaxation!
4. Add your favorite color! My favorite color is pink, so my bedding is pink, I have a pink rug, I have all pink posters, and it really makes my room feel more connected to ME, it really reminds me that this is MY room, with MY favorite colors, with MY favorite things! It may not seem like a big deal, but trust me, its SUPER calming!

Even small acts of making your space yours calms your nervous system in the long run, a house isn’t a home unless YOU make it!

Thank you so much for reading, I hope you have an amazing day/night, and I hope you develop a calm and peaceful space for yourself! I’ll see you next time on According To Lariah!