Outfit A College Dorm Room on a Budget

Get Ready To Shop With These 12 Tips

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My past ten years of summer have been spend getting one of our four settled into their college dorm room or off-campus apartment. There was one year where we had three move-ins! Furnishing their college housing can be an expensive endeavor and with multiples in college at the same time, I learned early that budgets must be set and kept. I have spent hours figuring the most frugal way to outfit these college dorm rooms and apartments. Here are a dozen tips that will hopefully help as you go through the process with your own child.

If you are hitting the big box retailers.. BRING COUPONS. I start accumulating these coupons in the spring. All my family saves them for me! Also have them contact their roommates so there is no duplication of items.

1. Comforter or bedspread and sheets.. Do not spend a fortune on designer labels. Dorm mattresses are usually twin extra long and those are the size sheets you must purchase. These sheets will not fit any other mattress properly, thus their lifespan is limited to the time the kids are in the dorms. You can find a large assortment of colors, fabrics and designs for under $100. I would recommend 2 sets of sheets, two pillows and a backrest. They spend a lot more time studying on their beds than at their desks.

2. Mattress pad, egg crate or feather bed mattress topper are a must. College dorm room bedding is usually not that comfortable and these will help make the bed more comfortable.

3. 3 extra large bath towels, 2 washclothes, 1 hand towel. Good but not best quality. These will not see year two in most cases, especially with boys.

4. A Bathrobe, some shower slippers or flip flops and a small carry container for shower supplies.

5. A collapsable mesh laundry hamper. They fit more than a basket and can “stuff” into closets or under beds.

6. Rolls of quarters for laundry machines, if needed. Check the information book that will arrive with their housing application.

7. Ipod charger/alarm clock.. a multi-purpose item that will be well used.

8. Rent the micro-fridge. It is dual purpose and much cheaper and easier on everyone’s back than hauling your own into the dorm; plus they can usually split the cost with their roommate.

9. Proper components to hook up the computer. Ethernet cord, wireless card.. how will they hook up. You will most likely receive information from the school’s techonology department that tells you. Read it! The most awful experience is leaving them with no internet access. This is a priority.

10. Make sure you have invested in a good surge protector and a lock for their computer that can wrap around the desk or bed legs.

11. 2 extension cords and multiple outlet strips and have Dad bring his tool box. You’re bound to need it.

12. Save the underbed storage bins, yaffa blocks, over door hangers until you get there. We have lugged more of these into college dorm rooms, only to have to bring them back as there was no room or no need. Bring extra coupons with you!

One last money saving piece of advice, if you do not have an unlimited text messaging plan on your student's cell phone.. get one before they hit campus. College students text more than anyone, so whatever the monthly charge for unlimited texting, it will be cheaper than the cost of text messaging OVERAGES. I can vouch for this firsthand. It is not a pretty bill.

Get some good advice on SAVING MONEY on COLLEGE TEXTBOOKS

Once home.. start thinking about a care package.. Here are some great ideas for college care packages!



If this information on furnishing a college dorm room was helpful.. check out our Celebrate College section for more great advice.