Decorating on a budget
How to achieve a comfortable work space for under $50
Jessica Knapp, Spotlight Writer
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It is no secret that being a college student does not come cheap. Between the tuition costs and the amount of money that is spent on books, some students find it hard to jazz up their personal spaces at affordable costs. In order to succeed in college, it is key to have a functional work space that one is comfortable in. Keeping this in mind I set out to find an affordable way to make my study area more personal and workable.
First, I started at Bed, Bath and Beyond. Walking around this giant warehouse, there was really nothing out of the ordinary that caught my eye. There was a great desk lamp with a crimson beaded shade that I fell in love with. Then I saw the price tag and decided that I couldn't afford a $90 lamp. It is true that there are great deals to be had at Bed, Bath and Beyond for certain things like bathroom decor, but there was nothing that was affordable for this college student on a budget in the home decor department.
Next, I went to Linens and Things thinking that I might be able to find a picture to hang above my computer. Instead I was struck by the similarity it shared with Bed, Bath and Beyond. While I did find a giant framed painting, I was in sticker shock looking at a cost of $175. By the time I left Linens and Things, I was beginning to think that I would never find an affordable place that would help me renovate my study area.
A friend suggested that I try Gordmans on 92nd and Sheridan. I was a little timid at first walking into the large warehouse type store, but I was quickly calmed and excited at what I found. In the house wares section, I found more than one item that would fit into my budget. My favorite pieces that I bought were three hat boxes, all in different sizes, with vintage fashion designs on each. The total cost for the three boxes was only $24. I next wandered into the lighting section and found nearly an exact replica of the lamp that I wanted from Bed, Bath and Beyond. I was excited to see that this time, the lamp that I loved I could actually afford. The total cost for the lamp was only $20. I left Gordmans only spending $43.
Finally, just to add a few finishing touches, I stopped off at the Dollar Tree on 49th and Federal and purchased two framed fashion photos for, you guessed it, $1 a piece. I quickly rushed home, unwrapped everything, and started organizing my new purchases in my study area.
While there is still room for improvement in my new study area, I could not be more delighted with the results. For a grand total of $46.28, I have an inspiring atmosphere in which to do my homework and spend hours of study.