Kot Essentials Checklist for New Students
Moving into your first kot in Leuven? Here's the no-nonsense checklist of what you actually need — and where to get it for a fraction of the IKEA price.
The actual checklist
Most lists you'll find online are written by furniture stores. This one isn't. It's the list of things real Leuven students wish someone had told them about — and nothing more.
Sleep
- Mattress topper (buy new — hygiene matters here)
- Pillow (new)
- 2 sets of bed sheets, including pillowcases
- Duvet + duvet cover
- Earplugs (Leuven kots are loud on Thursday and Saturday nights)
Study setup
- Desk — almost always available second-hand
- Desk chair (your back will thank you — don't skimp on this)
- Desk lamp with warm-white bulb
- Power strip with at least 4 sockets and surge protection
- Monitor or laptop stand if you study from your laptop full-time
Kitchen
- One small frying pan, one sauce pot
- One sharp knife + one cutting board
- One spatula, one wooden spoon, one ladle
- 2 plates, 2 bowls, 2 mugs, 2 glasses
- Cutlery for 2
- Microwave (almost always available second-hand)
- Kettle
- Small French press or moka pot if you drink coffee
- Tea towel and dish soap
That's it. You don't need a full IKEA kitchen set on day one — buy more as you actually need it.
Bathroom
- 2 large towels, 1 small towel
- Shower caddy (most kots have shared bathrooms)
- Flip-flops for the shared shower
- Toothbrush holder
Laundry & cleaning
- Drying rack — you do not want to pay €5 per dryer cycle every week
- Laundry basket or bag
- All-purpose cleaner, sponge, microfibre cloth
- Toilet brush (if you have a private bathroom)
- Small dehumidifier or moisture absorber bags (very Leuven-specific)
Living space
- Bedside lamp or string lights (kot ceiling lights are brutal)
- One full-length mirror
- Plant or two — they make a kot feel like a home
- Clothes hangers (15–20)
- Storage boxes under the bed if you have winter and summer clothes
Tech & admin
- Belgian power adapter if you're moving from outside the EU
- Ethernet cable (some kots only have wired internet in the room)
- A folder for paperwork — your contract, deposit receipt, eID copies
- A bike lock if you're getting a bike (you are getting a bike)
Where to get it for a third of the price
Two strategies:
- Browse — start at furniture, electronics, and other. Filter by Leuven and sort by newest. Most kot stuff sells the same week it's posted in June.
- Post a Looking-For — list the 3–4 big items you need, your budget, and your move-in date. Sellers with the exact items will message you.
The realistic budget
- Mostly new (IKEA + Hema): €600 – €1,000
- Mix of new and second-hand: €300 – €450
- Mostly second-hand: €150 – €300
The quality difference is smaller than you'd think. Most second-hand kot furniture in Leuven is one or two years old at most — students sell it because they're moving back home, not because it's worn out. Save the difference for groceries, beers on the Oude Markt, or your next Erasmus trip.
Already moved in?
If you've got duplicates, leftover boxes, or a microwave you'll never use, post them on StudentFinds. Someone in your building probably needs exactly that.
Frequently asked questions
- How much does it cost to set up a first kot in Leuven?
- Brand new from IKEA: €600–€1,000. Mostly second-hand from outgoing students: €150–€300. The quality is the same — outgoing students sell furniture that's only one year old.
- What should I buy new vs. second-hand for my kot?
- Buy new: mattress topper, pillows, bed sheets, towels, kitchenware that touches food directly. Buy second-hand: desk, chair, lamp, shelving, drying rack, microwave, kettle, cookware, and decor.
- When do students sell their kot stuff in Leuven?
- Peak supply is late May through early July, as outgoing students clear out. Prices drop the closer you get to July as sellers start to panic. The best deals are in the last two weeks of June.
- Do I need to bring my own bed and mattress to a Leuven kot?
- Most kots come with a bed frame and a basic mattress. Always confirm in writing. Bring your own pillow, sheets, and a topper — the mattresses are usually firm and well-used.
- What's the most overlooked kot essential?
- A drying rack and a small dehumidifier. Leuven kots get damp fast, especially in autumn and winter. Mould on your stuff and walls comes back as a deposit deduction at move-out.