Step one is not to feel bad, as you are not alone. It can feel disappointing to find yourself moving back home after being out in the big wide world with all your freedom. But the reality is that two million grown-up "children" aged 18-34 are contemplating moving back in with their parents to cope with the rising cost of living and to save to move back out or to build up a house deposit. And the fact is that saving rent or paying less rent can significantly impact how fast you can save up.
Making the most of your new space will help with your mental attitude. We've said it before and will say it again: our everyday surroundings have a powerful impact on our mood and emotions.
Step two. Here is where to start and how to be proud of the space you live today.
Purge, purge, purge. Celebrate the person who used to live in that room. Remember them, have positive thoughts, and then look to get rid of anything you don't need or won't use regularly. Let's face it: stuffed animals all over your bed do not exactly scream adult. If it doesn't have a major, significant meaning or will leave your mother crying that you threw it away. It's time to let go of a few things. Store your old photos and get that memorabilia boxed up.
If there are things you want to display, there are ways to do this that look adult and incorporated into your design, rather than coming across as someone living in their past. If you really want to keep that poster of your 18-year-old favourite band in a place of honour - it's time to get a frame instead of blue tack or tape. And create smaller collections of larger sets or buy a shadow box and display art work, letters or poems with others behind them so you can rotate them.
If your bedroom has survived with your nine-year-old self's passion for purple all over the walls (or similar), it's time to ask permission to give it an update. Few things can make a significant impact relatively easily than a paint job.
Want to add a little va-va-voom without the commitment? There are great removable wallpapers out there now which could give you a sense of your new grown-up space without giving your parents a heart attack.
If you have the room or are moving back with furniture, change that bed to an adult one. If you only have funds for one thing, then bedding is a great place to splurge. As a bed is usually a focal point, elevating your look to a more mature, neutral tone will make a big difference. Pillows and fun throws give it a bit of attitude. All designers suggest that layering bedding signals an adult space - even if your bed is still a single or a small double.
Getting lighting right matters and can fundamentally change a space. Layering is the idea—different light options to do different things.
Natalie Mann, new product development coordinator, Iconic Lights, says in this article from Real Homes, 'Getting the lighting right is essential to creating a space that feels both restful and functional. Layering the lighting will give you plenty of options depending on the task at hand.
'Bedside task lamps, clip-on lights, and wall lights offer low-level light, ideal for reading or relaxing. Ceiling lights create a focal point over the bed and serve a practical function, or can be used to create a modern design feature when hung over both bedside tables.'
'Finally, don't forget warm white bulbs and a dimmer switch. This will give you full control, from bright light to a softer mood lighting for the evening.'
You'll often be stuck with some kiddie furniture. Rickety tables or desks won't make living and working from home much fun. And do your body a favour; don't assume you can spend the day sitting in bed doing work. Your back will not like you very much.
Most of us don't have separate offices or areas for this. Depending on the space you have, you can always look at things like fold-away desks or some great small desks designed to solve this problem.
Lots of Zoom calls? We've seen people get clever with partitions, folding screens, and even running a curtain track to enable you to pull across a backdrop to your desk area to hide the bed.
Ikea has a very on-trend rattan room divider at a reasonable £99
And here is a longer article from LivingEtc on dividing a room with a curtain.
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