Here is everything you need to make yourself at home in Cardiff halls

Let’s be honest, a lot of us still haven’t grasped the concept of living alone; the cooking, the cleaning, and the endless to-do lists you make to make yourself feel more organised. You probably brought the whole of IKEA with you when you first moved here, but now end up using only a fraction of the things you were sure you would need.

No one wants to be *that* annoying person who uses their flatmates’ stuff all the time, so we have put together this list of the actual essentials you will need when living on your own to help you out. You’re welcome.

Desk tidy and organisers

No matter how put together you think you are, you will definitely need some organisers for all of your bits and pieces. We use them for anything and everything; stationary, makeup, toiletries, utensils, the list just goes on. They help keep your things looking super neat and tidy, plus they’re a great option if you have *limited* space you have in your room.

A thick duvet

The Cardiff cold is no joke, and the best part is that it’s only going to get colder from here. Thankfully, there are plenty of thick duvets on the market which will keep you nice and toasty even on the frostiest nights. We hear there are loads in IKEA at this time of year (IKEA please sponsor us).

Laundry basket

As long as it has handles, you’re in business. For most people, bringing a laundry basket with them would be a no-brainer, but you would be surprised at how many people we’ve seen juggling their pile of clothes, praying that they’ll make it to the laundry room in time before they drop one of their socks. Not only are they way more convenient when carrying your dirty washing around, but they help keep your room tidy. If you haven’t got a basket then a bag will do, just anything so we don’t have to see your dirty underwear, please.

Table Lamp

The lighting in halls is very hit or miss (usually miss), so we suggest bringing your own little light source so you won’t be squinting at your notes or trying to blend your foundation in the dark. An LED desk lamp is probably your best bet, especially as it’s lightweight and practical for use during all times of the day. Another IKEA trip might be necessary.

Decorations

Being away from family and friends can be pretty lonely at times, so bringing photos and decorations with you will definitely make you feel more at home. Although, we prioritised putting up BTS posters rather than family photos, so whatever floats your boat.

Cleaning supplies

If you haven’t bought any cleaning supplies yet, we’re judging you hard. You’ll need cleaning wipes, sponges, detergent, surface cleaner and kitchen roll, lots of kitchen roll. Messes are inevitable in a shared kitchen, so it’s always good to be prepared. Plus, the cleaners will love you and they are definitely not the people you want to get on the wrong side of unless you want all of your dirty and clean washing up left on the table.

Something waterproof

Whilst this might not be specifically for your room, waterproofs are still pretty much essential items when living in Wales. The weather here is impossible to keep up with, so it’s best to keep something waterproof on you at all times just in case. Umbrellas and waterproof bag covers are our go-tos, although portable raincoats are also a good shout, particularly if you use e-scooters and Nextbikes.

Alcohol

Because it keeps you warm…right?

A communal blanket

This sounds gross, but hear us out. If your accommodation is anything like ours, then the heating never seems to work and blankets and fluffy socks are the only things stopping you from catching frostbite. Keeping a blanket in the kitchen means that you don’t have to trudge all the way back to your room to grab one of your own so that you can continue to be social with your flatmates.

It can also be useful to have on standby for when you have those unexpected visitors sleeping on the sofa after a particularly wild night out, giving the impression that you’re a good host who cares about the wellbeing of their guests. Also, throws just look nice. Not everything requires an explanation.

Speaker

It doesn’t need to be anything big or fancy, but everyone loves a bit of music for pres so having a decent speaker will always go down well. Maybe just don’t play it too loud in the middle of the week, though, otherwise the flat chat will be flooded with passive-aggressive messages from that one person trying to sleep at 9 pm.

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