Your first student room: exciting, often small and usually on a limited budget. Between lectures, a part-time job and your social life, you do not want to spend hours on housework as well. Good news: well-chosen bedding already saves a lot. In this article you will read how to furnish your student room with the easiest bedding, so your bed always looks neat, even during busy exam weeks.
Why bedding matters so much in a student room
In a student room, your bed is often more than just a place to sleep. It is also your sofa, your study spot and the place where friends sit when they come round. A made bed therefore instantly makes your whole room calmer and tidier.
At the same time, changing the bed in a small room is a chore. There is little space to shake out a large duvet cover, and the washing machine may be in the hallway or shared with housemates.
The basics: what do you really need?
- A good mattress with a mattress protector.
- Two fitted sheets, so you can alternate.
- One or two pillows with pillowcases.
- A duvet, ideally one you can easily wash yourself.
- Optionally a throw, for cold evenings or if your bed doubles as a sofa during the day.
Why a duvet without a cover is handy for students
No hassle with duvet covers
A duvet without a cover has an attached cover. You lay it on the bed, give it a quick shake and you are done. No duvet cover to wrestle with in a cramped room.
Washable as a whole
You wash the whole duvet in one go. Snoozella duvets can go in the washing machine at up to 60 °C and then in the tumble dryer. Do mind the drum capacity: for 140x200 and 160x200 a 5 kg drum is enough, and you will find one in most student houses and launderettes.
Less stuff
No stack of duvet covers in the cupboard. That saves space, which is usually scarce in a student room.
Always a neat bed
Even if someone drops by unexpectedly, your bed looks smooth. No duvet cover sitting crooked or crumpled up at the foot of the bed.
Which size should you choose?
Student rooms often have single beds that are 90 cm wide. A commonly used rule of thumb is that your duvet should be at least 40 cm wider than your mattress. So for 90 cm you choose 140x200. If you have a 120 cm bed, 160x200 fits better. Not sure? Check the size guide.
A washing routine that works
A fixed routine makes it easy. Many people choose to wash their bedding every week or every other week. With a duvet without a cover, you then wash the whole duvet, with your fitted sheet and pillowcases in a second load.
- Choose a fixed day, for example Sunday morning, when the washing machine in the house is often free.
- Wash the duvet separately, up to 60 °C at about 1000 rpm.
- Dry thoroughly, in the tumble dryer with a shake in between, or fully on a drying rack if you do not have a dryer.
- Open a window if you dry indoors, so the moisture can escape.
Read more in how often should you wash your duvet.
Furnishing tips for a small room
Choose a calm colour
A plain duvet in a calm colour makes a small room feel more spacious. Want more variety? Then choose a reversible duvet: flip it over and your room gets a different atmosphere.
Use the space under the bed
Storage boxes under your bed are ideal for a second set of sheets, winter clothes or textbooks.
Turn your bed into a sofa
During the day, place a few extra cushions against the wall and a throw over the foot of the bed. That way your bed becomes a cosy place to sit.
Make your bed every morning
With a duvet without a cover that takes a few seconds: plump up the pillow, shake out the duvet, done.
A gift idea for (future) students
Is your son, daughter, nephew or friend moving into student accommodation? A washable duvet without a cover is a practical gift that gets used every day. At Snoozella, orders placed before 18:00 are shipped the same working day, with free shipping in the Netherlands and Belgium.
View all duvets without a cover, from €69.95, and choose the colour that suits the new room.
Read also
- Lazy duvet: what is it and is it right for you?
- Washing a duvet at the launderette: how to go about it
- Which duvet size fits my bed?
Frequently asked questions
Which duvet size fits a student bed?
For a 90 cm wide mattress, 140x200 is a good size. For a 120 cm mattress, choose 160x200.
Will the duvet fit in the washing machine in my student house?
For 140x200 and 160x200 you need a drum of at least 5 kg. Most washing machines meet that.
I do not have a tumble dryer. Can I let the duvet dry indoors?
Yes, on a drying rack in a well-ventilated room. It takes a bit longer, so make sure it is completely dry before you use it again.
