Moving into a new student room is exciting but let’s be real: student budgets aren’t built for luxury, and we actually don’t need to pack our rooms with additional unnecessary items. 

Here’s a list of budget-friendly things that I think will help you make your room cosy yet functional with some pro tips at the end!

1. Furniture

The first things to get are pieces of furniture (duh!). While it may be expensive to buy a bed, a sofa or a desk, there are other ways to get good furniture for cheaper prices. There are a few good secondhand stores in Groningen where you can find decent furniture for lower prices. You can also turn to marketplaces online as it is a common practice to sell and buy secondhand stuff there.

2. Organisers

• A bookshelf makes for a great organiser! It’s less expensive than a wardrobe and takes up less space. You can also display your trinkets on it, or add foldable baskets on the shelves to make space for your clothes, accessories or shoes.

• Hooks and hanging organisers can hold everything from bags to coats.

• You can also use foldable baskets to store stuff under your bed!

• A foldable laundry basket is also a must which saves space.

3. For cosiness

I personally love using a lot of lamps instead of ceiling lights. You can also find affordable lamps in some supermarkets/drugstores. I also use 4 small lamps to light my room, they act as amazing mood lights but are also great for reading. Add some photos, posters and plants, and it already feels homelier. You can also find great rugs in thrift stores to add to the vibe.

4. Emergency items which are overlooked

• A small toolkit with screwdrivers and measuring tape already goes a long way. You can buy the ones that come in a small “wallet”. Trust me, you will need those, for your bike and sometimes at home.

• A small first-aid kit with bandaids, painkillers, gauze, etc.

5. More budget-friendly tips

• Split bulk kitchen items (like- spices, and oil) with your roommates to save cash and space.

• Buy a small air-fryer or rice-cooker: You can find it for as low as €20 - €30 and make quick and easy meals.

• Hangers: I’ve seen stores offer hangers with your clothes for free, which can be super useful for closet space.

• Ask your friends: They might have something you need which they don’t!

And there you go! Creating a student room that’s both practical and cosy doesn’t have to cost us a fortune. And the less stuff we have, the easier it is to move houses in the future. :D