IT’S probably seems as though the years have flown – only a short while ago your little one was starting school and now that same youngster is leaving for college and looking forward to living independently.

Although your pocket and your heart may already have taken a battering as they excitedly prepare to leave the nest, you still have to perform one last parental duty before you say goodbye – settling them into their new room.

Making it welcoming on that first day will lift their spirits and is a great distraction.

“While moving into student accommodation is one of the most exciting life experiences, leaving home comforts behind as they step into a stark, empty room can be a bit of a reality check,” says Claire Hornby, creative stylist at Barker & Stonehouse.

You’ll pass the parental test with flying colours if you leave them happily ensconced in a room that’s so well kitted out, other students will flock to it...

PICTURE PERFECT

FACEBOOK’S fine for checking out friends and family, but it’s still good to have photos on display to conjure happy memories of home. A hanging photo-clip mobile, which holds 20 photos, is £9.99, from The Present Finder (thepresentfinder.co.uk).

SPRAY STYLE

GIVE old wooden box files and desk tidies a new lease of life by spray painting them.

A PlastiKote Twist & Spray Paint, £8.79 a can, comes in more than 40 colours and finishes and is available from Hobbycraft, The Range, Wilkinsons and independent DIY stores (plastikote.com or 08447- 362-235).

WALL TALK

BARE walls won’t inspire, so make sure you have posters and a putty-like adhesive, such as Blu-Tack, at the ready, as drawing pins are often banned Alternatively, get round the wall-hanging ban by leaning pictures against a wall. A suitable candidate could be a Heads Up Canvas by James Patterson, £76, depicting rows of colourful bottle tops, from Barker & Stonehouse (barkerandstonehouse.co.uk).

SLEEP ON IT

FEW students have the luxury of a sofa, so a bed has to double as somewhere to sleep and lounge. Make it look the business with bold American Freshman Atlanta bed linen, from £28, Fishpools (fishpools.co.uk). Keep them cosy with a herringbone throw, £21.60, Littlewoods (littlewoods.com). Finally, help them avoid oversleeping with this Marks & Spencer’s vintage oversized alarm clock, £35. (marksandspencer.com).

STUDY SPOT

A DESK or table is vital for all that swotting and many rooms provide one. But, if not, or they’re moving into their second year house, a well-designed, affordable one could be needed. Ikea’s PS 2014 Bureau, £145, in white or orange, is smart and practical, with a fold up leaf so those notes and clutter can be easily hidden (ikea.com). Timetables and notes need to be kept in view and Dwell’s Chat Bubble pin boards (set of three), £19.95, are a new take on the traditional notice board (dwell.co.uk).