If you are coming to study at King’s from outside the UK, you’ll most likely be looking to buy home essentials, such as bedding, towels, pots and pans or decorations for your new home. Here are a few ideas for where you can go to kit out your room.
IKEA
The Swedish furniture store is most likely the first one to come to mind when thinking about shopping for your home. While most Ikeas in London are in the outer zones in the city and a bit difficult to go to without a car, the store in North Greenwich is easy to get to using public transport. There is also an “order and collection point” shop at Westfield Stratford, and you can order online for home delivery. While great for cookware and tableware, you can find bedding for lower prices at other shops.
Primark
Mostly known for its unbelievably low-priced clothing, Primark also sells home essentials including sheets, pillows, duvets, cover sets, towels and much more at very reasonable prices. You can also find fun home decorations from scented candles to Harry Potter-themed chalkboards. Sadly there is no online shopping option, so you will have to go to an actual store.
Argos
From laundry hampers and drying racks to laptops and tablets, you can find pretty much anything you might need at Argos. You can shop in-store or order online and have it delivered to you or collect it at a store/collection point. It’s always good to take a look at what they are offering and what prices are available at other shops, as Argos’s prices are sometimes the best but can be more expensive.
John Lewis & Partners
British department store John Lewis is on the upper end of the price range when it comes to home essentials. There is a wide range of products you can choose from in each department, with own-brand products along with branded ones. You do get good quality for the high prices, and you might be able to find some great deals on sale, but it’s worth looking for the same product at different retailers because you might find the same thing for a lower price. You can shop in-store or online and choose click-and-collect or home delivery.
M&S
Another quintessentially British department store, with lots of own-branded, quality products. Prices are not necessarily student-friendly, although you can find deals in the sales, so it is worth checking out other retailers with lower prices. You can shop in-store or online and choose click-and-collect or home delivery.
Wilko
British family-run company Wilko is a bit of a mixed bag, with a very wide range of product types available, selling household essentials, including homewares, textiles, DIY, cleaning products, health and beauty lines, stationery, confectionery, pet products and kitchen and bathroom goods. The chain has only a handful of more central locations in London, but it might be worth the trip if you’re looking for reasonably priced products. Home delivery and store collection are available with some limitations, with delivery fees starting at £5.