April 25, 2023, 3:23 pm | Read time: 5 minutes
Once students have secured affordable housing, the next step is furnishing their new space. To make the most of the often limited area, affordable and smart solutions are needed when setting up a student apartment.
Affordable housing has become a rare find for today’s students. Often, compromises must be made in furnishings to avoid further straining the already tight student budget. Since the kitchen, bedroom, living room, and study often need to be combined into one space, smart solutions are essential when setting up a student apartment. Creative ideas are needed for a cozy living atmosphere. myHOMEBOOK author and interior designer Odett Schumann explains how to furnish a student apartment in a space- and cost-saving way.
1. Keep walls simple
Whether in a shared apartment, a studio, or a dormitory, student living spaces are almost always small. Therefore, attention should be paid to their design even before furnishing the student apartment, starting with wall color.
In cramped spaces that also need to accommodate a certain number of furniture pieces, light colors are best. For those who find plain white too stark, a coat of sand, light gray, or pastel is recommended. The good news: If wall surfaces are kept simple, more accents can be added with furniture and accessories.
2. Create a structured layout
In small spaces like a student apartment, a clear room layout is essential. Structure creates order; otherwise, it quickly becomes chaotic, which is not conducive to studying or relaxing. Room dividers help create clear lines, allowing the apartment to be divided into zones, but most importantly, functionally.
This doesn’t always have to be a purpose-bought screen; furniture can also be used multifunctionally. A bookshelf or wardrobe can visually separate the sleeping and working areas. Organizational systems and smart storage solutions, such as storage boxes, flat boxes under the bed, and mobile furniture like rolling containers, are also helpful for more clarity and structure.
3. Use practical furniture
The right choice of furniture is a crucial factor when furnishing a student apartment. Typically, these spaces are no more than about 20 square meters, so affordable and smart furnishings are advisable: Ideally, the furnishings consist of space-saving multifunctional furniture.
Foldable models like a wall secretary or a Murphy bed can be quickly stowed away after use. A sofa bed is also suitable, serving its purpose both day and night. Additionally, stools and chairs can double as side tables or even nightstands when needed.
Furniture that offers ample storage also creates more living space. This is especially true for wardrobes, desks, and beds. For maximum storage, the wardrobe should reach up to the ceiling, the workspace should have additional compartments, and the bed should have a spacious storage box.
4. Cohesive design influences room effect
To smartly furnish the often limited living space of a student apartment, the right design can be crucial. Minimalist furniture, for example, exudes much more calm, structure, and clarity. Therefore, it’s worth not experimenting too wildly with different materials and patterns on furniture surfaces. A certain level of monotony benefits small spaces and gives them a sense of greater size.
Just like mirrored surfaces: To avoid having too much furniture in the room, a wardrobe with a mirrored door is advisable. With all the closed surfaces, some open furniture is needed for visual balance, noticeably lightening the ambiance. This includes small wall or book shelves and a delicate desk consisting of just a tabletop on two trestles. A console table as a workspace also feels airy.
Also interesting: Setting up your first apartment – tips from an interior designer
How to Plan and Customize Made-to-Measure Furniture
7 Tips to Make a Small Bedroom Feel Larger
5. Equip the kitchen smartly
Since living space and budget are generally limited, the kitchen in most student apartments tends to be a scaled-down or even compromise solution. A full setup is often not feasible, but high ceilings, which can be well utilized, are common. Vertical storage keeps kitchen appliances, supplies, and extra cookware as space-efficient as possible.
Costs can also be saved with old kitchen furniture from grandma’s attic or the flea market. A small wall cabinet or display case is not only budget-friendly but also adds charm to the student pad. For work surfaces, a simple board from the hardware store can suffice.
Practical: Since work surfaces are scarce in student households, it’s advisable to craft a board that fits perfectly over the sink, providing an additional space for cutting vegetables and more.
6. Be sparing with decoration
Of course, decoration should not be lacking when furnishing a student apartment. However, in limited living space, it’s wise to be sparing with accessories. Creativity knows no bounds, from green plants to old framed photographs of loved ones to desk or bedside lamps from the flea market.
Students are often abroad for internships or exchanges, so special souvenirs from travels frequently return home with them. All that’s missing are a few cozy pillows and blankets on the bed or sofa–and the student apartment is complete.