Furnishing student apartments: Tips for a functional and comfortable living space

Written by: Helene Ausserwöger, 30.05.2024

A cosy student room is more than just a place to sleep and study. It’s your personal retreat, a space that welcomes you and invites you to relax, focus, and be inspired. But how do you create such a home that does not only offer the comfort you need but also the functionality to fully enjoy student life? In this blog, we’ll explore why designing a cosy student room is so important and share some clever tips for every type of student – whether you’re an organisational whiz, a creative spirit, or a social butterfly, here you’ll find the inspiration you need to optimally set up your student home.

Table of Content:

Why it’s so important to furnish your student room comfortably
Furniture for student apartments: The basics
Furnishing a small student room: Get the most out of it!
More Tips & Tricks
Conclusion: Enjoy your furnished student room

Why it’s so important to furnish your student room comfortably

The atmosphere of your room can have a significant impact on how comfortable you feel and how well you can focus. So, it’s important to set up your space in a way that conveys a sense of security and calm, even when student life gets hectic.

To make the most of your limited space, multifunctional furniture is key. Think about using your bed as a comfy couch during the day with some pillows and a blanket. A wardrobe with extra shelves and drawers will help keep things organised and a desk that can double as a dining table saves space and is great for having friends over.

Also, the furnishing of your student room should not only be practical but also budget-friendly. Student accommodations are particularly suitable for this, because the apartments and rooms usually come with functional, space-saving furniture, so you don’t need to spend money on a wardrobe, desk or bed. Since many of us need to stick to a budget while studying, this is often the cheapest option. But that doesn’t mean you have to give up on style and cosiness. With smart choices and a bit of creativity, you can create a space that not only meets your needs but also reflects your personal style.

Furniture for student apartments: The basics

If you want to make your student room super cosy, picking the right furniture and organising your space is key. Space is usually tight, so multifunctional furniture is a must. You also need plenty of storage for your study materials, clothes and personal stuff. At STUWO, all the essential furniture is already included in the price, and the rooms are set up to be functional. With a few simple furnishing tips, you can make the most of your limited space in unfurnished apartments and add your personal touch:

Bed

The size of your bed depends on your preferences and the space in your room. Here are some options and tips to make the best use of your space:

Single bed or loft bed: These options save the most space. With a loft bed, you can also set up a workspace or a cosy chill-out area beneath.
1.40-meter bed: If you prefer a bigger bed, this size is great because it fits two people comfortably—perfect for guests and sleepovers.
Bed frame with storage: A bed with built-in drawers or extra under-bed boxes provides additional storage and helps keep your room tidy.
Sofa bed: It’s a couch during the day and a bed at night — ideal if you don’t mind setting it up daily. Perfect for small spaces.
Bed as a couch: With a bedspread and some throw pillows your regular bed can double as a comfy seating area for you and your friends

No matter which option you choose, remember that your bed is not just for sleeping; it also makes up an essential part of your living space.

Wardrobe

There are lots of wardrobe systems these days that you can customise to fit your space. You can use your wardrobe to store not just your favourite clothes, but also household items and random stuff — best kept in boxes. Here are some tips to organise your wardrobe:

Versatile wardrobe systems: Choose a wardrobe with clothes rails, drawers, boxes and different-sized compartments so you can store as much as possible.
Mirror front: A wardrobe with a mirror front doesn’t take up extra space, makes the room look bigger and brings more light into the room.
Boxes for smaller items: Use boxes for smaller items like underwear, socks, belts and ties to keep them neatly sorted.
Hanging shelves: Hanging shelves are an affordable option to create extra storage space for things like shoes or bags.
Sort clothes: Organise your clothes by type and colour. Use the clothes rail as much as possible — hanging clothes saves space and gives you a better overview of your items.
Regular decluttering: To save space, regularly declutter your wardrobe. Donate anything you haven’t worn in a year or boost your student budget by selling clothes you no longer need.

With a well-thought-out wardrobe system and the right organisation tips, you can maximise your storage space and keep your room neat and inviting.

Desk

Your desk is probably one of the most important pieces of furniture in your room, as you’ll likely spend a lot of time there studying and doing research. Here are some tips to set up your workspace optimally:

Right Size: Choose a desk that doesn’t take up your entire room. It should be big enough to fit your laptop, books and other study materials, but not so big that it takes over the space.
Expandable Table: An expandable table is ideal if you occasionally need more space. This way, you can work flexibly without needing a huge desk.
Drawers and Storage: Desks with multiple drawers or a rolling cabinet that fits underneath give you plenty of space to keep your stuff organised.
Organisers and Attachments: Use desk organisers and attachments to make the most of your desk surface. This helps keep your stationery, books, and other items neatly sorted.
Location Choice: If possible, place your desk near a window. This way, you can benefit from natural light and fresh air while working. A nice view can also be a pleasant distraction when you need a break.
Dual Use as Dining Table: If you live in a studio apartment and have people over for studying or eating, you can use your desk as a dining table. A table that is open on all sides works best for this.

With these tips, you can make sure that your desk is a comfortable and efficient workspace.

Empty laptop screen, desktop organizer with desk shelves and office supplies

Chair

Of course, your desk wouldn’t be complete without the right office chair to ensure you can sit comfortably even after long study sessions and avoid getting back pain. Here are a few key things to think about:

Back-friendly: Choose a chair that provides good support for your back to help prevent back pain.
With Armrests: Armrests offer extra comfort and support.
Low Backrest: A low backrest takes up less space and fits nicely into smaller rooms.
With Wheels: Wheels make the chair mobile, so you can easily roll it around and even use it as an extra seat at the dining table.
Stool with Storage: An additional seating option with hidden storage for books, blankets, or whatever else you need to stash away.

Shelf

Throughout your studies, you’ll likely accumulate a considerable amount of books and study materials, so it’s important to know where to put them all. Here are some practical tips on how to make the most of your shelves:

Tall and Slim Bookcases: These save the most space and offer plenty of storage for your books and materials.
Utilise Wall Space: If allowed in your accommodation (check with your landlord or dorm management first), install wall-mounted shelves, hanging shelves, or organisational systems to neatly store your stuff and save floor space. Make sure to check if the walls can handle the planned weight. STUWO Tip: In STUWO student residences, shelves or wall-mounted boards are already provided and ready to use.
Doors and Corners: Often, there’s unused space between all the furniture. Hang organisers on doors and fill the corners with corner shelves.

Decoration: Don’t just stack books on your shelves — add some flair with decorative items to jazz up your space and give it a personal touch.

Furnishing a small student room: Get the most out of it!

To get the most out of your student room, go for some creative decor ideas. Make it feel bigger with optical illusions, like using mirrors and light colours. Decorating is key to making your space cosy and personal. Add some throw pillows, rugs, and fairy lights to create a warm and inviting vibe. Here are a few ideas to inspire you when setting up your student room:

Choosing the Right Cosy Style

Choosing the right cosy style is essential to make your room comfortable and inviting. Light colours, mirrors and well-placed furniture can make your space feel more spacious.

Wall Colour: If you’re allowed to choose wall colours in your accommodation, go for light colours. If that’s too plain for you, you can paint one wall in a brighter colour to add depth. The ceiling should always stay white though.
Consistent Colour Scheme: Stick to a harmonious colour palette. If you like patterns, choose wallpaper with small, regular designs to avoid the room getting too chaotic.
Furniture: Opt for furniture in light colours like white, pastels and light wood to make the room feel bigger. Items made of glass also have a space-enhancing effect.
Mirrors: Place mirrors strategically, especially opposite a window, to create the illusion of more space and light.
Curtains: Floor-length curtains make the walls appear much taller and the room bigger.

In the end, the most important thing is that you feel comfortable in your room.

Modern scandinavian living room with design furniture, grey sofa

Decor Ideas for Your Student Room

Once you’ve found your cosy style, you can get creative with your decor. Decorating is all about expressing your individuality and giving your room a personal touch. You can find tons of inspiration on Pinterest. Here are some ideas to turn your student room into your comfy paradise:

Cosy Textiles and Fairy Lights: A nice bedspread and plenty of throw pillows can turn your bed into a comfy sofa and provide a cosy seating area. Rugs add a splash of colour to your room and keep your feet warm, while fairy lights create a warm and homey vibe in the evening.
Personal Touches: Decorate your pinboard with photos of family and friends, your own artwork, postcards, posters and pages from magazines or books to add lots of individuality.
Plants: Their vibrant green hues add lovely colour accents, make the room feel lively and improve the air quality.
Browse Flea Markets: You can find unique treasures like quirky vases, candle holders and jewellery dishes that add a special touch to your room.
Upcycling Projects: Give old items a new life by creatively repurposing them. For example, you can turn old jars into candle holders or use an old ladder as a shelf.

More Tips & Tricks

Here are some more decor tips to help you make the most of your limited space:

Coat Hooks Instead of Racks: Maximise your storage space by using individual coat hooks for hanging jackets, bags, etc., without taking up much room.
Versatile Stools: Stools are not only a convenient seating option but can also serve as side tables. Add some decor to make them stand out.
Structure with Shelves and Rugs: Use shelves and rugs to structure your space and create different areas within the room.
Flexibility with Furniture on Wheels: Furniture with wheels, like side tables or carts are super practical because they can be easily moved around.
Furniture Shopping: Don’t just shop at IKEA; also check out flea markets and websites like Willhaben. You can often find great deals and sometimes even freebies.
Practical Sleeper Chair: Get a chair that can easily convert into a guest bed for when you have friends over.

Conclusion: Enjoy your furnished student room

A student room that is both cosy and functional can make a big difference in your studies. With multifunctional furniture and clever storage solutions, you can create an environment where you can be both productive and relaxed at the same time. Even with limited space, let your creativity flow and design an inspiring environment that reflects your personal style.

Try to incorporate elements of slow living into your student life as well. Take conscious breaks to relax between study sessions – whether it’s a reading break in a comfy chair or unwinding in a cosy corner with cushions. These breaks are not only good for your productivity but also for your well-being. Your student room is much more than just a place to study – it’s a place for relaxation, creativity and your home away from home!