NEW YORK (AP) — For the uninitiated, furnishing a college dorm room can be a daunting experience. Doing it at a time of high inflation can make it even scarier.
Step one: Carefully review what the school allows and offers. If you want a microwave and mini-fridge, are the energy-efficient combo models required? Do you need foam pool pads to avoid hitting your head under an overhead bunk, and if so, can the school provide them? How thick exactly can a mattress topper be?
“You can see the look of terror on the parents’ faces,” said Marianne Szymanski, a freelance product researcher who has sent two children to college. “You know, did I get the right mattress pad? It’s madness.”
Etsy trend expert Dayna Isom Johnson said self-expression is top of mind for board-bound kids in things like faux headboards and unique dresser knobs.
“Two of my favorite dorm trends right now are mood-boosting hues that include bright, energetic colors like neon tones and heritage styles, a nostalgic trend that embodies the traditional college look with items like carriage lines, furniture with wood color and monograms. ” she said.
There’s no end to help out there, from parents sharing tips on social media groups to seasoned college students offering TikTok hacks.
Some suggestions:
LIGHTING AND CHARGING
The dorm rooms have extremely poor lighting and extremely few electrical outlets in convenient places. Many schools do not allow extension cords. For power strips, which are almost always allowed, consider going vertical with a tower that offers surge protection, USB ports, and outlets that can accommodate a variety of different-shaped plugs.
It might be time to get a three-way charger. Storage carts, headboards and charging-capable stands abound.
Use double-sided tape or hook-and-loop tape to attach a power strip to the frame of a raised bed for easy access.
For students so inclined, makeup can be a problem that a lighted makeup mirror can solve. A desk or a clip-on lamp is a must for studying. Consider a shared floor lamp. Neon signs are also known as decorative lighting.
BEDS AND LAUNDRY
Think extra-long twin sheets, a mattress protector and a thick pillow and mattress pad, but know that some schools don’t allow certain types of gel toppers, Szymanski said. As for all the pillow throwers, where do they go when it’s time to sleep? Usually on the floor maybe not very clean, so maybe buy less. Better yet, bring a body pillow.
Buying two or three sets of sheets means using up already limited storage, but students who aren’t extremely responsible about their laundry won’t have a crisis when the dirt piles up. And if the beds are made up for storage, get curtains to cover the mess.
What kind of laundry hamper to get is a hot topic and depends on how far from the room the washers and dryers live. There are rolling hampers, compact mesh hampers and all kinds of bags. For walking up and down stairs, large cloth backpacks (some with padded shoulder straps) are perfect.
A hack: Invest in a clothes steamer or fabric spray to release wrinkles rather than an iron.
SHELVES AND HOOKS
Expanding storage with shelving is a big dorm conundrum. Is there room for shelves above the bed? Does the school allow huts on desks, or does it provide them?
Pro tip: It’s not a great idea to replace sturdy shelves with an over-the-toilet version that might not be able to handle something heavy, like a microwave. Also, if a bed is going to be raised, but not all the way up, a tall bedside stand with additional shelves or drawers can be useful.
Ask the school: Can shelves or stands of any kind be placed in front of the windows?
And remember the locker shelves from high school? Use them to expand the space on a nightstand or desk.
Those sticky Command hooks? Bring so many, along with removable poster strips designed not to damage walls. Also get some over-the-door hangers for bags, coats, clothes and hoodies.
CABINETS AND OTHER STORAGE
For the closet, consider sturdy vertical hanger extensions and hanging shoe and clothing storage. Yes, such storage takes up space and adds weight. Can an additional rod be installed?
Storage cubes can triple as a stool and bench, as opposed to a decorative pouf that is just beautiful and comfortable.
Storage drawers under the bed or in the closet are essential, along with extra baskets, or at least a bowl for random, easily lost small items. Medium plastic baskets for scarves, socks and the like can be used on the top shelf of the closet.
CLEANING AND COOLING
Vacuum cleaners are often available, but they are usually heavy and must be carried back and forth. Szymanski has a hack for this. Not your run-of-the-mill portable vacuum, but an ultra-mini hand-held, battery-operated version called the Ayla. It is like a tube and only 11 inches long.
Some students recommend a dusting power along with a dehumidifier or air purifier.
Portable fans are small but powerful. Woozoo, a cult favorite, makes rocking and remote-controlled versions.
Another Szymanski hack: A roll of Rakot75 towels for cleaning. They are 100% bamboo, come in a roll of 75 and each sheet can be reused for up to six months. Just rinse and reuse.
Don’t forget small trash cans for the bathroom and sleeping area, after coordinating with your roommates, of course, for this and other shared items.
DECOR AND STYLE
Style is everything to some boarders.
“People really take pride in and they really strive for a sophisticated, grown-up space,” said Adar Kirkham, a DIY designer and star of the new digital series Freestyled. on HGTV.com. “Now it’s considered cool to decorate your room.”
The pros are mixed on whether removable, peel-and-stick wallpaper is a good idea. Some schools may not allow it and it may not adhere to textured walls. Kirkham suggests using it to decorate desk drawers or other storage units.
Some children bring decorative mirrors to hang, instead of the usual full-body vertical type, or hang strings of twinkling lights.
Dormify.com is full of design inspiration and products. This year’s students are more confident than last year about personalizing their dorm room, said Amanda Zuckerman, co-founder and CEO of Dormify.
“More saturation and color is really popular, so bring in hot pink, bright orange, bright green and turquoise,” she said.
According to Pinterest, searches are done for hippie and preppy dorm styles.
“People are looking more and more for things like funky mirror ideas, which have tripled since last year. The styling of indoor plants is also on the rise. Dormitory room demand has increased by 80%. Pink and blue are some really strong colors for that prep aesthetic,” said Swasti Sarna of Pinterest data.
BATHROOM AND MISCELLANEOUS
Consider getting some scented Steripod toothbrush guards. The dormitories are dusty. Bathrooms get gross. Toothbrushes may need to be carried. It should be changed every three months.
Bathrooms are often shared and things get messy. An organizer is essential. Pro tip from the trenches: Use an over-the-door organizer for bathroom items. Dormify sells one with a small built-in mirror.
Kirkham suggests a rolling toilet box with just the essentials for quick trips in and out.
Fridge tip: If you’re free to choose which type to use, choose one with a separate freezer compartment. It can simply protect against freezing of the food below. Some children forgo freezing altogether to get more space in the fridge.
Kirkham, whose show premieres July 24, suggests a mini-fridge stand that elevates the unit and includes additional storage.
“Everything in a dorm room should have multiple functions,” she said.
A small, portable, battery-powered blender can come in handy. It doesn’t take up much space and helps students eat healthy food stored in room refrigerators. Szymanski likes Blendi.
A tool kit is useful, as is a first aid kit. To help raise a bed, Szymanski said, bring a rubber mallet.
And instead of a canvas bedside table, try a tray table with a built-in bunk bed. It can hold a drink, a phone and more.
Last but not least: a permanent marker good for labeling fabrics as well as plastics.
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Follow Leanne Italie on Twitter at http://twitter.com/litalie
