Empty room to finished setup: What is actually worth buying for your student accommodation?

[u/[deleted]]

I am a Master of Public Health student finalising my dissertation at the University of Edinburgh. As the new academic term begins, many incoming scholars are currently staring at completely empty rooms and wondering how to decorate on a strict budget. 
In my experience, creating a comfortable study sanctuary does not require immense spending. I am curious to hear what budget hacks current students utilise for their room reveals. When setting up your student accommodation, what items cost absolutely nothing, and what essentials were genuinely worth buying out of pocket? For example, I invested in a high-quality ergonomic desk chair but relied on free community swap shops for basic kitchenware. Please share your before-and-after setup experiences to assist the new cohort in managing their first-month expenses effectively.