Make your hall a home

Are you planning on moving into halls of residence this September? You will more than likely be thinking about what items you may need to purchase for your bedroom! You will obviously need bedding, clothing hangers and so on, but the following are items that I found the most useful and would recommend you to purchase should your budget allow:

Coat Rack

You'll need a coat rack if you want a place to hang your coat. The majority of bedroom doors in halls of residence are fire doors, and sadly, over-the-door hooks are not an option. My coat, scarf, bag and key card can all be hung on the coat rack I purchased from Argos. As Cardiff is one of the wettest cities in the United Kingdom, having a place to hang your coat to dry is a must!

Click here to view Coat Racks available from Argos.

Bedside Table

If you're anything like me, you’ll need a bedside table to keep your phone, a glass of water, pillow spray, ear plugs, and eye mask close as you sleep. The window ledge may double as a bedside table, but you'll have sit up in bed to reach the items you may need. My bedside table is from the Range and has three drawers, so it also provides storage too!

Click here to view Bedside Tables from the Range.

Bedside Lamp

A bedside lamp creates a warm ambiance in your bedroom. I bought a basic bedside lamp from Argos, but you can choose a lamp that adds personality to your room. A bedside lamp is perfect for an early morning or evening study session when you don’t want to turn on the bright overhead light  or when you want to read a book or relax and unwind in bed.

Click to here view Beside Lamps from Argos. 

Over the Door Mirror

If you choose to live in Talybont specically, you will have an ensuite. As the ensuite door is not a fire door, you will be able to purchase a full length over the door mirror. There is a face mirror in your ensuite and full length mirror in the corridor, although you will find that the full length mirror is often in use, especially as it is shared between four to six of your flat mates!

Click here to view Over the Door Mirrors from the Range.

Mattress Topper

The addition of a mattress topper to your bed is a luxurious touch! I would recommend bringing a mattress topper with you if you have one to spare or you can purchase one dependent on your budget - some are more expensive than others. As other students will have previously slept on the same mattress as you, a mattress topper provides a layer between the mattress and the bedsheet. It also provides an extra layer of comfort and support, allowing for a more restful night’s sleep.

Click here to view Mattress Toppers within a low and high price range.

Note: This article is based on a Residence Life Assistant experience living at Talybont Halls of Residence, and the items listed may not be considered essential or useful for students living in other sites.