Your Ultimate Uni Survival Kit (Comfort Included)

Whether you're heading off to university for the first time or coming back as a seasoned student, creating a space that’s equal parts practical and personal is essential. You’ll want a room that works as hard as you do (and then some) — from all-nighters and early seminars to chill nights and everything in between.

Here are five student-approved essentials to make your university room feel like home, featuring our favourite secret weapon for comfort and style: the Icon bean bag.

1. Versatile Storage Solutions

Let’s face it — student accommodation isn’t known for spacious wardrobes. Smart storage is a must if you want to stay organised and keep your space feeling fresh.

Must-haves:

• Under-bed storage boxes
• Collapsible fabric crates
• Hanging wardrobe organisers
• Desk caddies for stationery and chargers

Top tip: Choose neutral tones or match your storage to your decor for a sleek, clutter-free vibe.

2. Comfortable Seating (That Doesn’t Steal Space)

Between marathon lectures and group study sessions, you’ll need somewhere to rest, revise and recharge. And that’s where a bean bag becomes your best mate.

Icon bean bags are:

✔️ Compact and portable — perfect for small student rooms

✔️ Posture-friendly for reading, revising or relaxing

✔️ Available in soft corduroy, plush velvet, or faux fur finishes

✔️ Easy to carry to your next uni flat or house share

Whether you’re deep in study mode or just scrolling TikTok, our bean bags have your back — literally.

3. Desk Essentials for Productive Study Sessions

A tidy desk is a tidy mind. Creating a calm, well-lit study space can help you stay focused and organised (without having to live in the library).

Essentials to stock up on:

• A bright, warm desk lamp
• Notebooks, pens and organisers
• A mini whiteboard or cork board for reminders
• A side table to pop next to your bean bag and double as a nightstand

Pro tip: Use your bean bag as a secondary study spot. It’s ideal for tackling reading lists or video lectures from a comfier angle.

4. Tech Upgrades to Stay Ahead

Uni life runs on tech. Make sure you're fully kitted out with the gadgets that help you study smarter — and relax better.

Top recommendations:

• A reliable laptop or tablet
• Noise-cancelling headphones for shared living
• A portable charger for campus days
• Bluetooth speaker for chill time

Keep your tech and bean bag close... They make the perfect productivity pair.

5. Entertainment for Study Breaks

Work hard. Chill harder. Taking proper breaks helps you stay focused — and your room should be set up to support that, too.

Create a mini lounge zone with:

• A gaming bean bag for ergonomic support during long sessions
• A cosy corner for Netflix, reading or catching up on podcasts
• LED lights or fairy lights for ambience
• A soft throw or floor cushion for extra guests

Our Recliner is a top pick for students, especially those who love gaming. It's stylish, breathable and supportive without looking out of place in your room.

Study Smart, Lounge Smarter

Getting your uni room setup right isn’t just about ticking things off a list — it’s about creating a space where you can be productive, feel good, and fully unwind.

Prioritise pieces that are:

• Multi-functional
• Compact and portable
• Built to last through uni and beyond

And if you only upgrade one thing? Make it a bean bag. Icon’s Back to Uni collection is full of comfy, lightweight seating that looks great and keeps you supported through long study sessions and lazy Sunday lie-ins alike.

Shop the Back to Uni Collection now and get free, fast UK delivery on every order — because you’ve got better things to do than wait in.

For more real-life inspiration, head to @IconHomeHQ on Instagram, TikTok or Pinterest and see how students across the UK are styling their uni setups with Icon bean bags.

Here’s to the comfiest term yet!