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Accommodation

15 things under £15 that will make your uni room feel like home

Looking to spruce up your accommodation but concerned about the current cost of living? Check out our suggestions for personalising your space that won’t break the bank.

Student lounging on bed in accommodation

1) Practical storage

Queen’s Accommodation organises shopping trips to IKEA, so make the most of your day and purchase some practical storage for your toiletries! (£9)

2) A mug from a local retailer

Keep your tea/coffee/hot chocolate warm with an enamel mug from local retailer Born and Bred! (£9.90) And why not pair it with a coaster? (£3.50)

Blue Born and Bred tea cup printed with 'a wee cup of tea'

Image credit: Born and Bred

3) Harland & Wolff crane decoration

Add a little Belfast sparkle to your desk or window sill with these models of the iconic Samson and Goliath yellow cranes. (From £12)

Harland and Wolff crane desk decoration

Image credit: We Have it Wrapped UP

4) Traditional Belfast coffee

Stock up your coffee jar with a bag of The Belfast Coffee Co., locally roasted and Irish Whiskey-infused. (From £9.95)

Bag of Samson blend Belfast coffee

Image credit: The Belfast Coffee Company

5) The Little Book of Belfast Sayings

If you are new to Belfast and Northern Ireland, this guide will help you to navigate our wee figures of speech and slang words. (£5.99)

6) Campus mouse mat

Bring a piece of the Queen’s campus to your accommodation with a picturesque mouse mat for your desk. (£5.50)

Queen's mouse mat with picture of the Quad

7) Everlasting plants that you never have to water

These cute, crocheted cacti will be a colourful addition to your desk (and very low maintenance!) (£6)

Collection of crocheted cacti

Image credit: CosyCrochetbyNiki on Etsy

8) Fragrance sachet

Freshen up your wardrobe and drawers with these aromatic sachets from Avoca! (£5.41)

Wind Down fragrance sachet from Avoca

Image credit: Avoca

9) Photo memories for your pinboard

Add some photos from home to your pinboard from Freeprints, which gives you 45 6x4 photo prints for free each month! (Postage fees up to £3.99)

Student Manasa's pin board of photos in her accommodation

Blog: How to Personalise Your Accommodation!

10) Original art

Speaking of getting creative, why not attend one of the Queen’s Art Society’s events and produce some original artwork for your room? (Membership is only £5 for the year!)

Student's painting at Art Society

Art by Medicine student Radhika

11) Fairy lights

Fairy lights aren’t just for Christmas time – sparkle up your room and wrap these around your bed or curtain pole. (Note: only battery-operated lights are allowed in Queen’s Accommodation) (£3.99)

Bunch of battery operated fairy lights

Image credit: Amazon

12) Worry bear

Keep this little resin bear in your pocket or on your desk to reach for during stressful times. (£5.50)

Resin worry bear

Image credit: FurrowandTide on Etsy

13) Cosy hot water bottle

Snuggle up during the colder evenings with this super cute Reggie the Cockapoo Hot Water Bottle from Dunelm. (£7)

Cockapoo Hot Water Bottle

Image credit: Dunelm

14) Quirky vases

A tomato shaped vase for your desk, because why not?? (£5)

Vase shaped like three tomatoes stacked on top of each other

Image credit: Primark

15) Luscious shower gel

Relax and unwind after a long day at uni with Lush’s lavender and oat milk Sleepy shower gel. (from £6.50)

*Prices correct at time of writing

Find out more

Moving into Student Accommodation: What to Consider

How to Decorate Your Private Accommodation with Roommates

How to Personalise Your Accommodation!

Freshers' Accommodation: Essential Kit List

Staff writer
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