If you’re a student moving into new accommodation, you’ll no doubt be wondering how to make your new place the talk of the town. Creating the ultimate student flat doesn’t require much, but if you follow these five steps you’ll surely be on your way to being the centre of your uni friend’s social lives.
1. Buy a dishwasher
Student accommodation tends to get messy pretty quickly, especially if it’s a house full of boys. There are loads of affordable dishwasher options out there and the time, effort and cleaning up it will save means it will pay for itself in a matter of weeks. There are dishwashers starting from around £200, which is £50 each if you live in a flat of four. If you’ve lots of space, go for a 12 place dishwasher as you’ll be able to get a much larger load on. Look out for energy efficient models, because even though they tend to be more expensive, if you’re intending to live in the property for a couple of years, you could end up making significant savings in the long run.
2. Get a big TV
No student pad is complete without a TV, whether it’s for hangover days or playing consoles with your friends. There are many cheap tvs available for those wanting a large flat screen LED HD model. A 42” TV now costs as little as £250, so there’s no excuse not to invest. One of the best things about modern televisions is that you can connect a host of devices to them, making it ideal for watching media content from laptops and cameras.
3. Sound system
Whether you’re relaxing at home or having a party – a good sound system is essential. There are many cheap hi-fi systems that can be bought brand new or pre-owned, so be sure to check local listing websites if you’re after a bargain. If you’re after a sub-heavy system, look for setups that have their own dedicated subwoofer, though it’s worth considering how your neighbours might feel about this. There’s no point investing in a large hi-fi setup if your neighbours will be complaining every time you turn it on.
4. Cooking equipment
Let’s face it – student accommodation nearly always lacks decent cooking equipment, which in turn means that you and your flatmates will rarely feel like getting adventurous in the kitchen. Buying a few high-quality pots and pans as well as chopping boards is always a great investment as they can last for decades. Having some decent knives and chopping boards will make cooking will be fun and easy. Whilst it may seem like a big investment, if you consider the money you will save by home cooking, it will make all the difference.
5. Decoration
When moving into brand-new student accommodation, you’ll likely find the place tends to lack character. Buying some communal decorations such as artwork or posters is a great way to add a bit of personality to your new place. Check out your local charity shops for affordable decorations.