With a 10% rise in the number of UK students over the past ten years, there are now more than 1.1 million young people studying while living away from home, and this shows no signs of slowing down.

95% of students in a recent UCAS survey said the quality of accommodation influenced their decision of where to live.

The need for stylish, high-quality and inspiring student accommodation has never been more important. Today’s students expect more and look for stylish, modern accommodation that feels like a home away from home. David Phillips shares with us the top 3 student accommodation must-haves.

1.         Large communal areas

In Knight Frank & UCAS's Student Accommodation Survey Report 2021, 79% of students said that good quality communal spaces boosted social interaction and a sense of community in the accommodation. As well as being an area for students to relax and socialise with their peers, communal spaces often have study zones, as some students prefer studying surrounded by others as it reduces procrastination. Therefore, it should be large and spacious with many seating options - an area fit for all occasions.

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2.         Storage space

Space available in student bedrooms can be optimised with clever storage solutions. Utilise every bit of space with under and around bed storage and adding a desk that has drawers. Wall shelving is a clever way to make the most of the space available as it takes up no floor space.

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3.         Modern and stylish

Gone are the days of shabby, basic student accommodation. Students are now looking for stylish, modern accommodation that feels like a home away from home. Students want to feel proud of where they live, eager to show it off to their friends. Incorporate black and brass metalwork in the furnishings to tie in with the popular Refined Industrial trend.

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As the UK’s leading end-to-end service provider in the property industry, David Phillips Furniture covers all aspects for you, from bespoke interior design to sourcing, installing and fitting interiors. David Phillips has a team of 24 designers that can design your scheme from scratch or revamp an older scheme.

The Elliott House project for iQ Accommodation saw David Phillips work to a tight two-week turnaround to provide a full interior design and spatial planning service. The brief was to emphasise the architecture of the building, and so the design for the common spaces combined comfort with grandeur. For the bedrooms the approach was more balanced and gentle, to ensure students felt a sense of sanctuary.

Leonie Campbell, Project Manager at iQ was very pleased with the end result:

“David Philips was a great choice for this unique development in Edinburgh. Their designers worked brilliantly with our interior designer to ensure the quality and rich colours of the furnishings did full justice to this Georgian gem. The communication and service throughout the project was excellent, from working through furniture and fabric choices to the final install. With their help, we have delivered a student scheme like no other.”

If you’d like support with a new scheme or refreshing an old one, you can contact the student team at David Phillips - student@davidphillips.com

View a collection of their most recent case studies here.

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