How to Set Up Your Student Home Affordably in Wageningen
By Devi Muralee Krishna
Moving into your student home is exciting, but let’s be honest, furnishing it can get expensive fast. Luckily, living in Wageningen means you don’t have to spend a fortune to make your place cozy and functional. With some creativity, patience, and a bit of online treasure hunting, you can furnish your home almost entirely second-hand and still feel like a queen or king of your student castle. Here’s how I did it, with real examples from my own apartment.
1. Facebook Marketplace – The Treasure Trove
If you haven’t used Facebook Marketplace, start today. It’s full of people selling furniture, electronics, and home accessories at prices far below retail. To make it even easier, you can join the Facebook page “Wageningen Student Plaza”, where students post second-hand items specifically for our city. It’s like a goldmine for affordable student finds.
I scored my cushion sofa chair here for €10, which normally costs around €190. It’s super comfy and perfect for my small student living room. I also found a hair dryer for €10, instead of the usual €35. Sometimes, all it takes is checking daily and acting fast when a good deal pops up.
2. Marktplaats – The Local App Secret
Another amazing platform every Wageningen student should know about is Marktplaats. It’s a Dutch website and app where locals sell second-hand furniture, kitchenware, and home accessories at prices that are often shockingly low. I got my crockery cabinet here for just €5, even though it normally costs €20 in stores. And my crockery set? Only €50, instead of the usual €100.
What’s great about Marktplaats is that you can filter items by category, price, and even location, so you’re more likely to find treasures close to your student home. I’ve spotted study desks, chairs, small sofas, and even lighting for next to nothing. Many sellers are students too, which means you can often arrange quick pickups and snag a bargain the same day you see it.
Pro tip: “check Marktplaats regularly, because the best deals go fast. Pair it with Facebook Marketplace or the “Wageningen Student Plaza” page, and you can practically furnish your entire apartment without ever paying full price”
3. Weegfhoek – Free Stuff Galore!
Yes, free furniture really exists, and Weegfhoek is where the magic happens. It’s a Facebook page where people give away items they no longer need. Every region has its own Weegfhoek page, so make sure to join the one for your area, you don’t want to miss local deals!
The system usually works on a first comment, first serve basis, but sometimes the seller chooses who gets the item. It’s important to carefully follow the instructions in each post and not overdo it by spamming or commenting incorrectly, that’s how you avoid missing out on a good deal.
I personally found a drawer that would have cost around €200. I got it for free and only paid €20 for delivery. It’s sturdy, stylish, and honestly, it feels like winning the student housing lottery. The key is to check the page frequently, be ready to act fast, and always respect the rules of the post.
If you’d like to join some Weegfhoek groups in the Wageningen region, here are two to get you started:
4. Student Housing Group Chats – Hidden Gems
Never underestimate the power of your student housing group chat. It’s full of hidden gems! Students often sell, trade, or even give away furniture and home accessories when they’re moving out or upgrading. The best part? Most of the time, the deals are quick, local, and super affordable.
For example, I scored a picture holder ladder for only €2, a tiny item, but it adds so much personality and style to my room. I also found a floor lamp for €15, instead of the usual €28 in stores. These small touches really make your space feel like home without breaking the bank.
Group chats are also amazing for last-minute finds. People often post items they want gone fast, so if you’re active and keep an eye on the notifications, you can snag some fantastic deals. From chairs and shelves to quirky décor pieces, almost anything can pop up here.
Pro tip: “be polite, follow the post instructions, and respond quickly. Sellers appreciate students who are respectful and reliable. It might even score you priority access to the next item they post!”
5. Telegram & Other Platforms – More Bargains
When it comes to second-hand shopping, don’t forget Telegram and other online platforms, they’re a goldmine for student deals in Wageningen. There are local Telegram groups where students and residents post furniture, kitchenware, and décor items for unbelievably low prices. I grabbed a bookshelf here for just €10, even though it originally retailed for €50. I also found a smaller bookshelf for €10, instead of the normal €20. These groups are perfect if you’re looking for specific items or want to furnish your place gradually without spending a fortune.
The key is to check these groups regularly, because the best deals go fast. Sellers usually post on a first-come, first-serve basis, so being quick can mean the difference between scoring a perfect find and missing out.
And don’t stop at Telegram. Other platforms like Vinted and Tradera aren’t just for clothes. They often have small furniture, cushions, lamps, and home accessories at a fraction of the retail price. For instance, I’ve spotted cute cushion chairs, decorative lamps, and even small storage units that are practically brand new but cost only a small fraction of what they would in a store.
It’s amazing how combining these platforms, Telegram, Vinted, Tradera, along with Facebook Marketplace, Weegfhoek, and your student housing group chat can cover almost every corner of your student home. You can furnish your living room, bedroom, and kitchen without feeling like you’re constantly emptying your wallet.
Pro tip: “set alerts or notifications if the platform allows it. This way, you’re among the first to see new postings and can snag the best bargains before anyone else. Over time, you’ll notice patterns like which days students post items or when certain types of furniture appear and you can plan your shopping around that”
For the Plant Lovers – Adding Greenery to Your Home
As a plant lover, I knew I had to add some greenery to my student home, and luckily, it didn’t cost much! I made a trip to Ikea for some budget-friendly plants, and I also took advantage of free cuttings offered by my fellow tenants in the student housing group chat. It’s a great way to get new plants without spending a cent, all you need is a little patience as they grow into beautiful additions to your space.
How Much I Saved – My Student Home Bargains
To give you a clearer picture of how much you can save by shopping second-hand, I’ve made a table with all the items I bought for my student home in Wageningen. It shows the actual retail price, what I paid second-hand, and the profit I gained by being resourceful and checking different platforms.
Even small savings add up, and as you can see, furnishing a full student home doesn’t have to cost a fortune if you know where to look!
Final Thoughts
Furnishing your student home in Wageningen doesn’t have to be expensive. By exploring Facebook Marketplace, Marktplaats, Weegfhoek, Telegram, and your student housing group chats, as well as using platforms like Vinted and Tradera, you can create a cozy, functional, and stylish space without emptying your wallet.
One of the best parts about these platforms is their flexibility. If you buy something but later decide it’s not quite right as long as it’s still in good condition you can resell it on the same platforms. It’s a win-win: someone else gets a bargain, and you recover some or all of your money. For example, that cushion chair I got for €10 or the drawer I picked up from Weegfhoek could easily be resold if I ever wanted to upgrade my space. What is more, by shopping second-hand, you also put less pressure on the environment. If you would like more tips on how to live sustainably in Wageningen, you can check out this blog.
And don’t forget the extras! Always check for student discounts, IKEA offers, and action deals when buying new items. Being patient, creative, and just a little resourceful can save you hundreds of euros , exactly what I experienced furnishing my own student home.
Whether it’s a bookshelf from Telegram, a floor lamp from a group chat, a crockery set from Marktplaats, or a picture ladder for €2, every small deal adds up. The key is to stay active, follow post instructions, and act fast when you see a good offer. With a bit of patience, some clever online hunting, and a dash of luck, your student home in Wageningen can be affordable, functional, and full of personality.
Happy bargain hunting!
Devi
