Modern student housing should be aesthetically pleasing, functional and stylish to enhance the study environment and cater to tenants’ lifestyles.
The average student spends around 13 hours a day in their room, including sleeping, relaxing and studying, with 73% preferring to work there, rather than on campus or in a public place such as the library.
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According to the survey by Here Student Living, 37% of students choose to live at home while at university. This number has increased by 8% over the past decade. While economic restraints form part of the reason, around one-quarter said it was because the accommodation around the university wasn’t of the standard they expected.
The poll of 1,000 students revealed their main requirement for accommodation was “practicality” in the planning of their room. The second top demand was being able to keep their living space tidy, with adequate student accommodation furniture, while having a suitable desk was also high on the list. When asked what feature they desired most, the top answer was an en-suite bathroom, with 45% of respondents saying this would be their ideal term-time home.
Planning student housing design
Choosing durable and stylish furniture that caters to student lifestyles and enhances study environments is the key to attracting and retaining good tenants.
Many will be heading home for the Easter break, which runs from Monday 7th to Tuesday 22nd April for most UK colleges and universities. This two-week holiday provides landlords with a great opportunity to refresh their properties. The primary challenge is achieving the right balance between the comfort, functionality and style sought by students and the long-lasting, durable furniture landlords need to withstand high turnover and wear and tear.
Durable furniture is essential in student accommodation because the occupants tend to move frequently, and heavy daily use can quickly damage cheaper, lower-quality items. Design can significantly impact student wellbeing and productivity, as spending hours studying at a poorly designed desk can lead to posture related issues. Choosing the right setup is a vital decision, since it can help or hinder your tenants’ education. For example, research from the UK Health and Safety Executive highlights that 70% of young adults suffer from back pain due to poor seating ergonomics.
As a landlord, your choices can influence student retention and satisfaction, as those who feel at home are likely to stay longer, reducing tenant turnover. A study by the National Student Housing Survey found that 83% of students value accommodation comfort as a top priority. Styles that student tenants disliked most were those with furniture described as “cheap” or “basic”, which scored an average three out of ten points in a poll.
Students in London and north west England were most satisfied on the whole with the standard of their accommodation, according to the national poll by Here Student Living. In Wales, 24% were dissatisfied with their rented homes, with “poor quality furniture and appliances” cited as one of the main causes, according to a study by Shelter Cymru.
A massive 65% of UK students say issues with accommodation are likely to have a negative impact on their mental health and general wellbeing, showing a clear link between term-time housing and other aspects of their life. Around one-quarter say their academic performance has been impaired by poor housing due to physical problems, such as backache and lack of sleep due to an uncomfortable bed or seating.
Student rooms ideas
Students living in a limited space present unique challenges for landlords, who must come up with an innovative approach when choosing furniture to achieve optimum space utilisation. Multifunctional furniture, such as beds with storage space underneath, or vertical storage solutions that soar upwards rather than using floor space, can make the most of compact rooms.
Each room should be well laid out to provide a space suitable for both relaxing and working. The furniture must be durable and comfortable to withstand the rigours of student life, such as ergonomic chairs, quality mattresses and well-designed study desks to create an environment that aids academic and restful activities.
The furniture should be made of easy-care, high quality materials to extend its longevity, improving the tenants’ living experience and helping to save you money in the long term. Improve functionality by designing a workspace with the desk in a well-lit area, where sufficient power outlets ensure electronics devices can be plugged in with ease. Curtains or blinds should be of a sufficient quality to keep the glare off computer screens, ensure street lights aren’t shining in at night, and help keep draughts out in colder weather.
Choosing furniture packages
Let Us Furnish provides a full range of fitted student furniture packages for your accommodation including beds, sofas and dining sets: bespoke options offer unrivalled advantages, unlike generic solutions you might find elsewhere. Our extensive range of colours, door styles and handles create a personalised finish, whether you’re looking for a modern vibe, or a classic aesthetic appearance.
When you choose Let Us Furnish for your student needs, you will be assigned a dedicated project manager, who will take a hands-on approach to ensure your unique requirements are met. Our installation teams guarantee your furniture is delivered on time and fitted to the highest standards.
We pride ourselves on using the best-quality modern materials, so your student furniture will stand the test of time AND look great. Please don’t hesitate to contact us for further help or advice.