Money is usually tight for students and the budget is often only enough for a tiny room in a student dormitory or shared apartment. It is all the more important that you really feel comfortable in your little kingdom. Tips on how you can save a lot of space with the right furniture, clever storage space and narrow window sun protection.
Very little space to live despite increasingly rising rents
On average, a student spends 918 euros per month. A significant portion of this goes towards rent, in the best case scenario around a third. Because rent prices are rising, housing is also becoming more and more expensive for students - especially in larger university cities.
In addition, there is now very little effective living space available for a rent that is still reasonably affordable in dormitories or shared apartments, which then also has to fulfill several purposes. It serves as a bedroom, a study or a place to relax and unwind. The room is often completely filled with a bed, wardrobe, desk and chair. But there are a few tricks you can use to make a room as spacious as possible.
It's best to plan sparingly when you move in
When you move out of your parents' house, you should examine everything that will necessarily come with you to your new home. The more minimalist you are, the more space you will have available afterwards. Some of the things that are in your previous home with your parents can stay there for the time being. This also makes the move cheaper overall, for example because you only have to rent a mini van for your belongings instead of a moving truck.
Rely on multifunctional furnishing inventory
Be it books, music, pictures, films or documents – there is now nothing that cannot be digitized. Where years ago there were piles of literature, files, CDs and mountains of paper in student accommodation, these days most of it can be stored comfortably in your laptop. Shelves in which all of this once had to be stored are no longer absolutely necessary today. This creates additional freedom of movement and design for your room.
Variable, adjustable multifunctional furniture also saves space: sofa beds and folding tables can simply be pushed together or folded when not in use. This makes it look more homely and tidy overall.
Save space at the window – tips for slim sun and privacy protection
For your privacy and protection from light, you will also need solid sun protection on the window. Curtains and drapes are not so beneficial in small rooms as they take up a lot of space. Window decorations that are attached directly to the window sash are better. These can be, for example, blinds or roller blinds. Another option are pleated blinds , which can be pushed open and closed over their folds. So-called basic pleated blinds are also available for smaller budgets. Double pleated blinds , in which two different fabrics, e.g. B. a transparent and a darkening one can be draped on top of each other in one system at the same time. This makes your sun protection a little more flexible and you don't have to sit in the dark when you want to work on the computer or watch TV.
Another tip: think vertically
Another classic approach is to use the space less in width and more in height, for example with a loft bed that offers storage space underneath for a seat or a work table. It is also recommended to install narrow, free-hanging storage options on the wall, for example hanging pockets or thinner wall cabinets that don't get in the way. It's best to place frequently used items at arm's reach and all others higher up in appropriate shelves. With a small step ladder mounted on the wall within easy reach, they can be reached quickly at any time.
Constantly eliminate unused things & create an organization system
A more spartan interior design has one significant advantage: a lot less cleaning and tidying up is necessary. Admittedly, it may be difficult to part with some possessions, but it has proven to be a good idea. Anything you haven't used in a year can basically go away. There is also an effective tidying trick: things that you can put away within seconds will not tempt you to leave them lying around on counters or the sofa. However, this only works if you think about where all the items you use every day should have a permanent place. If you immediately hang your jacket on a hook on the door when you enter your room and put your wallet or cell phone in a drawer, you will not only ensure long-term order, but also save yourself a lot of time-consuming searches.
Tricks to make a room appear larger
A more economical room design and a well thought-out organization system are half the battle in creating a much more spacious living atmosphere. There are also two clever tricks with which you can create the impression that the room appears significantly larger than it actually is. For example, white or very light colors are included, while dark colors make a room appear narrower. You can also achieve more visual width with a mirror that reflects daylight or the bright room design.
Financing the facility cheaply – here’s how it works
Of course, space-saving furnishings may require one purchase or another. Inexpensive sources of supply are flea markets or online exchanges with exchange options or used furniture. Here you can get hold of a lot of things completely free of charge either for very little money or if you pick it up yourself. And: Christmas and birthdays are of course also an excellent opportunity to have one or two practical pieces of furniture or home accessories given to you by parents or grandparents.
Image source information:
Set up a small room: https://pixabay.com/de/architektur-geb%C3%A4ude-entwicklung-2576908/
Student rooms: liniveo.de
