Choosing Useful Items for a College Dorm Room
Essential Items to Save Space and What to Leave at Home
Jul 24, 2009
Every fall, sales papers begin advertising all the good deals college students can receive if they buy now. From furniture to cooking utensils, the list can go on forever and the carefully planned budget goes right out the window. Before shopping for new items for the dorm room, take the time to find out what a college student actually uses. These items will create maximum storage in a tiny dorm and help keep the place clean instead of sitting abandoned in a corner to become part of the clutter themselves.
What to Take to College
- Bookcase – A bookcase will be handy not only for storing textbooks, but for holding storage containers, boxes for files, and decorations such as picture frames and knick-knacks that make their way into the room.
- Small, Clear Storage Bins – These containers allow the student to see what is inside while providing a way to store like-items so they take up the least amount of space possible. They can stack, and will keep out dust and dirt.
- Under the Bed Storage Containers – Since storage space is limited, maximize every inch of the room. Rolling under the bed storage containers create instant storage that won't be in the way and can be rolled in and out when needed. It also protects the contents against dust, a common problem for items shoved under a bed without a container.
- Desk Lamp Organizer – Desk lamp organizers are popular in Wal-Marts and Targets across the country. They include various holes and cut-outs to store even the most unusually shaped items. This keeps the desktop clean while keeping small items and office supplies within reach.
- Storage Ottoman – A rolling storage ottoman, more commonly known as a foot stool, provides a place for guests to sit and stores items inside. Video games, TV remotes, and extra batteries can make their home here and pulled out when needed during study breaks.
Create a budget and examine the dorm room or apartment the student is staying in. Find the cheapest items to save money. Make sure they still seem durable, and check out these items to steer clear of.
What Not to Take to College
- Bed Rest – The bed rest was invented to place behind a person's back so he could sit up in bed and type or read. While the idea is nice, it is rarely used. Often students will use a desk or chair to sit at instead, and the bed rest normally slouches down too far under pressure to be useful.
- Large Plastic Storage Bins – Storage bins are handy when chosen in the right size. Large bins provide too much space in which various items get tossed, crushed down, and forgotten about until students move out. If they need lots of large containers to hold their stuff, they may be taking more than they can use and should sort out the items they don't need.
- Bath Caddy – Showers and bathroom shelves provide plenty of room for stashing bath supplies. If a student is using a community bathroom, a small plastic container can be bought for a cheaper price and still serve the same function.
- Drying Rack -– Drying racks take up too much room. To finish drying clothes, hang them in the closet and then fold them to put away when they're dry.
- Vacuum -– On-campus dorms rarely have any carpet in them. If an apartment does have carpet, wait until the student moves in to make sure another roommate hasn't already brought a vacuum cleaner. If there is carpet, find a cheap and portable vacuum that can be stored in a small closet.
Determining Dorm Room Needs
The needs of students change depending on their lifestyle and the college their attending. The best method for saving money and avoiding ending the year with a pile of unused items is to wait until two to three weeks after move in to buy more items. Students will quickly learn what they need and what they'll never use or have room to store. Hang a piece of paper or a dry erase board and have the student make a list of items he could use in his dorm. Then go over the list, finding spare items students can bring from home and creating a separate list for those they'll have to buy from the store.
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