So, you’ve just moved in to your new halls or student house. Your parents have made a long-overdue exit after hanging around awkwardly all afternoon, you don’t know how to use the oven yet and haven’t got a clue what the Wi-Fi password is.
How are you going to make this place feel like home?
You could go and blow your entire student loan at the local temple of flat-pack and meatballs, but before you do that, check out our excellent tips on how to make your uni room feel cosy and homely on a student budget.
Charity Shops Are a Gold Mine
Who doesn’t love a good chazza? We recommend looking for student-y areas with charity shops aplenty; you’re more likely to find things that are less ‘grandma’s cottage’ and more ‘Pinterest-worthy student pad’.While name-brand clothing has gotten a bit pricey in charity shops in recent years, the bric-a-brac, lamps, books, and frames are still generally pretty cheap.
In the spring/summer months, check out local community groups on Facebook (or ask your mum to) for tabletop sales, yard sales, jumble sales, car boots, etc. These are often even cheaper than charity shops - and you can usually haggle.
So what sorts of things should you be keeping an eye out for?
Mirrors: Make a small, gloomy room appear bigger and brighter. If you can’t hang things on the wall, look for a freestanding mirror or a smaller one to prop up on a drawer unit.
Nice pots and plants: You might worry that it’ll be hard enough to keep yourself fed and watered while at uni, but some houseplants are thankfully pretty self-sustaining. Cheese plants, spider plants and rubber plants are fairly unkillable - and don’t cost a lot either. Fake plants are another option, but nothing beats the real McCoy. Big supermarkets usually have a decent selection of houseplants to choose from.
Lamps: You can never have too many lamps. Cosy, cheap to buy and run, table lamps are a sure-fire way to make a space feel more welcoming. Just make sure you buy warm white lightbulbs, or you’ll feel like you’re about to get a root canal at the orthodontist.
Cushions and blankets: Soft furnishings will soak up sound and make the space feel warmer. Cover your bed with scatter cushions, drape throws over chairs, and have a heated blanket to hand to avoid arguments when your flatmates are policing the thermostat like the King's Royal Guard.
When you’re not using blankets, roll them up tight and store them at the end of your bed, so they’re not strewn all over the floor.
Books: Nothing makes a space feel more ‘lived-in’ than a few piles of books on shelves and tables. While your study materials are probably all online these days, coffee table hardbacks and your favourite novels dotted about the place will make your uni room feel like a place of rest and recreation. Most charity shops will have a huge selection for less than a pound, though you might have to dig through the Jeremy Clarkson biographies to find anything actually worth owning.
Rugs: The chances are you’re stuck with the cheapest low-pile carpet your landlord could get their hands on, complete with a few iron burns and wine stains. But rolled up in a corner behind the Live, Laugh, Love canvases might be your salvation. A nice big rug goes a long way towards making a tired, unwelcoming space look a bit more homely and intentional. Check local listings sites and Facebook Marketplace for rugs, too.
Make the Most of Student Discounts
It’s not all about second-hand treasures. Don’t forget you’re armed with the magical power of a student card. Big retailers and even supermarkets also often offer student discounts.
Top tip: bigger items like bedding sets, lampshades, or storage baskets are worth buying new if you want a more “put-together” look. A matching duvet cover and pillowcase set will instantly make your bed look intentional, rather than a borrowed jumble of odd sheets.
Get Creative With Storage
Uni rooms aren’t known for their generous square footage. Clever storage can double as decor:
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Crates and wicker baskets look good stacked up and are perfect for hiding messy wires or crumpled sheets and blankets.
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Under-bed boxes keep shoes, spare bedding and the dreaded ironing board out of sight.
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Command hooks (praise be) let you hang coats, fairy lights or jewellery without winding up your landlord.
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Over-the-door organisers are cheap and turn dead space into practical space.
Light It Up
Nothing screams “haunted house of horrors” quite like a bare ceiling bulb. The fastest way to add atmosphere is with cosy lighting fixtures:
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Fairy lights: Draped over the headboard or pinned around a noticeboard, they give off that warm, relaxed vibe every student flat needs.
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LED strips: If fairy lights feel too cutesy, grab some LED strips and uplight a shelf or window cill for a subtle, modern look. As with all domestic lighting, go for warm white.
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Battery-powered candles: No fire risk, no drips, just cosy vibes.
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Nicer lamp shades: upgrade the beige Wilko one that’s probably been hanging there since people were doing the Harlem Shake at Freshers 2013.
Personal Touches
Decorating doesn’t have to mean redecorating. A few personal touches go a long way:
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Posters and prints: Most students’ unions will have poster sales during Freshers’ Week. Or check out websites like Etsy for cheap printed art. Save money on frames and raid the charity shops, swapping out the creepy motel watercolours for something more ‘you’.
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Photos: Print your favourite snaps and stick them up with washi tape or pegs on string. Or invest in an Instax or Polaroid camera (always a hit at house parties) and make printed memories your thing.
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Pinboards and whiteboards: Great for deadlines, but also for doodles, decals, pin badges and postcards.
Avoid the Clichés
There’s nothing cosy about empty bottles of booze lined up like trophies on a window cill or floppy Guinness hats from St Paddy’s Day. Try and avoid the classic student clichés and stick to things that actually make the space feel comfortable, not just a museum of questionable nights out! And absolutely no stolen traffic cones. You’re better than that.
Cosy on a Budget
The ultimate goal? Comfort. Students aren’t exactly famous for luxurious living, but there are a few easy wins:
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Bedding: Layer up - a mattress topper, soft sheets, and an extra throw can transform sleep quality. Bonus points for heated blankets and throws when it gets to November and your fingers are frozen to your keyboard.
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Curtains: If your uni room came equipped with flimsy blinds or curtains so thin it’s broad daylight at 5am, consider an upgrade. Charity shops and Facebook Marketplace are a good place to find thick, chunky curtains on a budget.
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Scent: Candles aren’t usually a good idea in a student house, but reed diffusers or plug-in fresheners make a big difference. Little bottles of room fragrance can become a nice morning ritual for freshening up your space. Our current favourite is the Calm Room and Linen Spray from M&S.
Final Thoughts
Moving into your first student room is exciting, but it can also feel overwhelming. You’re probably stuck with magnolia walls, knackered carpets and the world’s smallest wardrobe - but with a bit of creativity (and some strategic charity shop runs), you can transform it into a space that actually feels like home-from-home.
Remember: cosy lighting, soft furnishings, plants, and personal touches are your secret weapons. Mix second-hand bargains with a few discounted new bits, and don’t be afraid to swap and share with your mates. The end result? A uni room that feels welcoming, comfortable and 100% you - all without draining your student loan in September.