Student zone

Don’t leave decking the halls (of residence) ‘til the last minute. Sam Wylie-Harris sources stylish, practical home comforts

It may be a few weeks before new university students need to get fully ready for making the “big move” – but while there’s a lot to think about, pimping up their pad and styling their space deserves a bit of consideration too. After all, a few home comforts can go a long way when you’re miles from your old bedroom and settling into a new routine of lectures and deadlines.

So for those looking to make their halls of residence room more welcoming, we’ve hunted down some decorative and practical pieces to help newbies feel right at home...

1. LUXURY VELVET PERSONALISED PLANNER BY THE BRIDGE AND TAYLOR, £45, NOTONTHEHIGHSTREET. COM

If you’re lucky enough to be gifted with this gorgeous A4 hardback notebook, it’ll be a stylish reminder that you’ll be missed at home. Worthy of pride of place on any desk.

2. TOMMY TASK LAMP (H38.5CM X W12CM), £12, MATALAN

Don’t put up with dingy lighting; that essay paper deserves to be in the spotlight.

3. SMALL CACTI IN CRACKLE POT, CURRENTLY REDUCED TO £7.60 FROM £9.50, MARKS & SPENCER

Contemporary and right on trend, create some positive and calming vibes with this sassy succulent.

4. WOODEN DRAWERS, £10, MORRISONS HOME

If their new room is short on drawer space, or they just need somewhere neat to keep jewellery, make-up and tiny treasures, this compact four-drawer unit will come in super handy.

5. A MODO MIO TINY, £49, LAVAZZA

Bring cafe society home with Lavazza’s latest model, which at a cute 29cm tall and 12cm wide will squeeze into the tiniest space. And let’s face it, by the time you’ve saved on all those pricey double shots, the machine will have paid for itself. With quick and easy frontal capsule loading and no mess.

6. SAINSBURY’S HOME RURAL RETREAT 3 PACK KNIVES, £10, SAINSBURY’S

A cut above the rest, this trio of knives set looks sharp and will meet all their cooking needs.

A few home comforts can go a long way when you’re miles from your old bedroom

7. MORPHY RICHARDS MICROWAVE COOKWARE MICO EGG POACHER, £29.99, TOASTED SANDWICH MAKER, £29.99, AND JACKET POTATO MAKER, £29.99, AMAZON

Midnight snacks, toasties, jacket potatoes with melted cheese – relying heavily on a microwave needn’t mean meals are lacklustre. Morphy Richards’ new MICO cookware range provides an easy solution for whipping up favourites.

8. DITSY FLORAL DOUBLE DUVET SET, £18, MORRISONS HOME

Coming up roses... Pretty as a picture, this 100% cotton bedding is great value for money.

9. LAUNDRY BAG GREY STRIPED, £10, WILKO

Make wash day less of a chore with this laundry bag. Rope handles mean you can hang it on the back of the door so it takes up less floor space.

10. HOMETIME ROUND GEOMETRIC WALL CLOCK (30.5CM), £14.99, VERY

With so many demands on students’ time, a clock should be in every student’s edit – and why not make it a stylish one? We love these happy hands with a wash of colour.

9.

10.

6.