(StatePoint) College bound? Dorm room comfort is crucial for health, happiness and academic success. Luckily, there are ways to create personalized, functional spaces within any budget.
The college shopping experts at Bed Bath & Beyond are offering tips to help.
Create Your Space
Students can showcase their style and make it home by adding an area rug, decorative pillows and throw blanket for extra warmth. Window panels, tapestries, artwork and mirrors pull the room together.
Add string-lights for atmosphere, or try an Étagère Floor Lamp with Charging Station to provide extra light for studying. Ample seating is always good for when friends pop in: consider chairs that fold when not in use to save space.
Standard-issue dorm mattresses are often uncomfortable. Build a better bed with a mattress pad, memory foam topper or fiberbed. Then, guard against allergens and spills with a mattress protector. Most dorms require twin extra-long (TXL) sheets, which are 5” longer than normal twin sheets. Remember, students will need an extra set for laundry day.
College dorm rooms are notorious for being small. Use storage and organizational systems under the bed, over the door and in the closet. For instance, an over-the-door shoe organizer can store rolled up T-shirts, cosmetics, toiletries and school supplies. Take advantage of vertical closet space to make more room with a Double Hang Closet Rod and Slim Grips Hangers.
Use Free Resources
Some retailers provide a wealth of resources to prepare college-bound shoppers for campus life.
For example, Bed Bath & Beyond provides college-specific information, including tailored lists of what students can and can’t bring. This information is available on the School Information Pages, which can be accessed at bedbathandbeyond.com/shopforcollege under “Find Your School’s Info,” or in-store with an associate.
Whether living on- or off-campus, the store-provided checklist is handy, breaking down essentials. High school graduates can create a registry online or in-store to share with family and friends, as well as with roommates in order to avoid duplicates.
A free service, “Pack & Hold,” allows students to shop for items at a store near home for convenient pick-up at a location closer to campus. This is especially beneficial for students traveling far to school. Students can also prepare early by shopping online and selecting a ship date at checkout. Consider attending student shopping events and visiting bedbathandbeyond.com/shopforcollege to schedule an appointment with a college expert.
Power Up
Staying powered is crucial these days. Multi-functional bed risers featuring an AC outlet and USB charger maximize under-bed space while providing a grounded charging station.
Charge and protect electrical devices from voltage spikes with a surge protector. For example, the Desk Clamp Surge Protector features four regular outlets, two transformer-plug outlets and two USB ports, and clips to the edge of a desk for easy access.
At college, coffee is liquid gold. Whether pounding grounds late-night or sipping in the AM, students should consider a French Press, Pour Over, Automatic Coffee Maker or Single Serve Coffee Maker for their dorm. Don’t forget the travel mug!
With a few simple steps, you can prepare for a great year ahead by creating a dorm room that feels like home.
