As you may not know in a few weeks time I will be starting university (for the second time) at Lancaster University to study advertising and marketing. Not only does this mean I'll be moving country and leaving all my friends behind it also means I'll have to move into university halls for my first year at least.
At most halls you're provided with the bare necessities; bed, bathroom, fridge, freezer, oven and hob which means that if you're like me, and have never lived on you're own before you'll need to buy everything brand new. As a savvy saving student, as we all are, I'm guessing you won't be prepared to fork out a whole load of cash for your new homeware. So thank the land of the Swedes for coming up with a solution to our need for stylish and economical homestuffs by gifting us with IKEA.
My very first trip to IKEA was to stock up on things for moving out and now that I've aquired quite the stash of kitchen utensils and bed linen I thought I'd make up a little checklist for any other students out there who need a few ideas of what to bring to halls with them.
STORAGE
Now most halls rooms will be well fitted with shelves, wardrobes and under the bed storage space but if you're like me and you're planning on hauling your whole wardrobe over with you you'll want to invest in a few storage items. After all where are us gals going to put all of our shoes?
Yellow File Box, Wooden Drawer Organisers, White Shelf Splitter, Hanging Wardrobe Shelves- All IKEA
Felt Hangers- Dunnes Stores
These are a few storage bits I picked up to help organise my room. The hanging shelves are a brilliant idea because they attach with velcro to your wardrobe rack and instantly you have so much more space to put your t-shirts and jumpers. If you don't know what the shelve splitter is don't fret because I didn't understand either at first. If you have a press with to very high shelf spaces you simply pop the splitter onto a shelve and voila, you've now got 3 shelves instead of 2.
Here are the hanging shelves in action.
KITCHEN UTENSILS
When I was looking around for things I needed for the kitchen I had to keep in mind that I wouldn't have a lot of room to put them in seeing as I think I've only 2 presses and a drawer which will primarily be storing all my food. So I looked around for items that could be multipurpose for example, a deep frying pan I could use as a wok for stir-fries and as a pan for making pancakes!
Chopping Boards, Pots, Plastic Sandwich Bags, Frying Pan, Glass Baking Dish, Grater, Whisk, Ladle, Fish Slice and 'Poached Egg' Spoon-Trio, Measuring Jug, Mixing Bowl, Glass Tupperware, Plastic Tupperware, Can Opener, Wine Opener, Scissors, Sharp Knife, Dish Scrubber- All IKEA
Tea Towels- Dunnes Stores
Baking Tray- M&S
CROCKERY
Again keep in mind you won't have a lot of room to store 6 bowls, plates, glasses and mugs in your uni kitchen so stick to the bare minimum.
Set of 4 Forks, Knives and Spoons, Bowls, Plates, Glasses, Serviettes- All IKEA
Mugs- Homestore And More
BATHROOM
Save the actual toilet, shower and sink there's not a lot you have to get for your bathroom. A few towels and cleaning stuff will suffice. Don't forget a shower caddy so you don't have to put all your shower gel and shampoo on the floor.
Laundry Bag, Toilet Cleaner, Shower Caddy- All IKEA
Towels- Dunnes Stores
Shower Mat- Penny's
BEDDING
Unless you want to sleep on solely a mattress for your time in halls get yourself a good pillow and a comfy duvet. Also don't forget a mattress protector because who knows what could have gone on in that bed before you.. I decided not to get mine in IKEA because I don't think the quality is as good and I'd rather pay a bit more for the comfort in the long run.
All from Dunnes Stores
BEDROOM
You're going to be spending a lot of time in your bedroom while you're at uni whether that's studying at your desk or just procrastinating on your laptop in bed so make sure you get a few bits and bring some things from home to make you feel at home in your room.
Butterfly Cushion- Next
Eiffel Tower Cushion- Homestore and More
Fake Flowers, Bed Linen, Lamp- All IKEA
Covent Garden Sign- Shop in London
MISCELLANEOUS
Last but not least if you're a girl and prepping for a night out you'll want to have the hair dryer, straighteners and phone charging all at once so may I suggest investing in an ultra glamorous extension cord? Some batteries and white-tac won't go astray either.
3 Way Plug, Extension Cord and Light bulb- All IKEA
I've a few more things to pick up before I head of but all this stuff is the bones of what I'm bringing. If you have any suggestions as to anything else I have to lug across the pond with me please do pop them down in the comments. And to any one else who's frantically running around from shop to shop I hope this gives you a list of ideas.
Thanks for reading,
Ciara xx
