Simple Room Decoration for Small, Hostel and Rented Rooms
12 setups Rooms Updated 2 Nov
Simple room decoration is for anyone with a small room and rules: a hostel that bans nails, a PG with shared space or a rented flat where the owner wants walls untouched. The ideas below use removable hooks, tape, fabric and handmade pieces that leave no trace.
This page covers small room decoration, hostel and PG rooms, low cost rented rooms and handmade touches. For a full study setup, see study room decoration, and for a softer look, see aesthetic room decoration.
Small Room Decoration Ideas
In a small room, every item needs a place. Light colours, vertical storage and one focus wall make it feel bigger.
- SpaceRoom, 9 x 10 ft
- MaterialsLight bedding, wall decor
- Effort1 hr, 1 person
Light bedding and one decorated wall keep a small room calm. Leave the other walls plain.
Decor tip: Pick one wall only. Decorating every wall shrinks a small room.
- SpaceBack of door
- MaterialsDoor organiser, hooks
- Effort10 min, 1 person
An over the door organiser and a row of hooks keep bags and scarves off the bed and chair.
Decor tip: Choose fabric organisers in a colour that matches the bedding.
- SpaceRoom, 10 x 10 ft
- MaterialsStorage bed, round rug
- EffortFurniture choice
A bed with drawers and a small round rug free up floor space and add softness.
Decor tip: A round rug softens the boxy shape of small rooms.
Hostel Room Decoration Ideas
Hostel room decoration ideas must be removable and quick. Most hostels allow tape and adhesive hooks but not nails.
- SpaceAbove bed
- MaterialsBattery fairy lights, clips
- Effort15 min, 1 person
Battery fairy lights with photo clips above the bed are the most loved hostel room idea.
Decor tip: Use battery lights in hostels. Many do not allow extra plug points.
- SpaceBed wall
- MaterialsFabric tapestry, tape
- Effort10 min, 1 person
A fabric tapestry behind the bed adds colour to a plain hostel wall and packs into a bag at term end.
Decor tip: Use removable poster strips at the corners. Tape alone falls in humid weather.
- SpaceStudy desk
- MaterialsGlass jars, paint, plant
- Effort1 hr, 1 person
Painted jars and a small plant turn a plain hostel desk into a personal space.
Decor tip: Paint jars from the outside with acrylic. Use them for pens, brushes and snacks.
Simple Room Decoration: No Drilling Kit
| Item | Holds | Leaves marks? |
|---|---|---|
| Washi tape | Paper, postcards | No |
| Poster strips | Light prints, tapestry corners | No if removed slowly |
| Adhesive hooks | Lights, small bags | No if removed correctly |
| Tension rod | Curtains, dividers | No |
| Over the door hooks | Bags, scarves, organisers | No |
Furniture with storage costs the most. Tape, fabric, plants and battery lights cost little and move with you.
Low Cost Simple Room Decoration Ideas
Low cost ideas use fabric, paper and plants. Most items here can move with you to the next room.
- SpaceBed
- MaterialsDupattas, ceiling hook
- Effort15 min, 1 person
Two dupattas draped over the bed from a ceiling hook make a soft canopy for almost nothing.
Decor tip: Use an adhesive ceiling hook made for fabric weight. Test it overnight first.
- SpaceWindow sill
- MaterialsSmall potted plants
- Effort10 min, 1 person
A row of small plants on the window sill adds life and colour and costs very little.
Decor tip: Pick easy plants like money plant, snake plant and succulents.
- SpaceWall, 3 ft
- MaterialsWashi tape, postcards
- Effort20 min, 1 person
Washi tape frames around postcards and prints look like real frames and peel off without marks.
Decor tip: Use two colours of washi tape. One for frames and one for small accents.
PG Room and Student Room Decoration Ideas
In a PG or shared room, define your own space with a rug, a light and a few personal pieces.
- SpaceShared room
- MaterialsTension rod, curtain
- Effort15 min, 1 person
A curtain on a tension rod divides a shared room and gives each person their own corner.
Decor tip: Tension rods fit between walls without drilling. Measure the width first.
- SpaceDesk wall
- MaterialsCork board, pins
- Effort10 min, 1 person
A cork board above the desk holds timetables, notes and photos and keeps the wall clean.
Decor tip: Lean the board on the desk against the wall if you cannot hang it.
- SpaceCorner, 3 ft
- MaterialsFloor cushion, clip lamp
- Effort5 min, 1 person
A big floor cushion with a clip lamp makes a reading spot without adding furniture.
Decor tip: Clip the lamp to a shelf or bed frame. No table needed.
Moving Out Checklist
- Peel adhesive hooks slowly by pulling the tab straight down.
- Remove tape at a low angle to avoid lifting paint.
- Keep all fabric and lights in one bag for the next room.
For more ideas, see room decoration and paper wall decoration ideas.
Questions people ask
What are simple room decoration ideas for a small room?
Light bedding, one decorated wall, a storage bed, a small round rug and plants on the window sill. Keep the other walls plain.
What are good hostel room decoration ideas?
Battery fairy lights with photo clips, a fabric tapestry, painted jar organisers and a small plant. Use tape and adhesive hooks instead of nails.
What are low cost simple room decoration ideas?
A dupatta canopy, washi tape frames around postcards, small plants and handmade paper decor. Most cost very little.
How do I decorate a PG room?
Use a tension rod curtain to define your space, add your own rug and lamp, a cork board for notes and battery lights.
How do I decorate a rented room without damaging walls?
Use washi tape, poster strips, adhesive hooks, tension rods and over the door hooks. Remove them slowly when you move out.
