Outfit A College Dorm Room on a Budget

Get Ready To Shop With These 12 Tips

My past ten years of summer have been spent 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. So if your child doesn't decide to take college online and will be on campus, here are a dozen tips that will hopefully help as you go through the process of furnishing a dorm room on a budget.

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. 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. You should easily be able to get all this for under $100

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 collapsible 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. The laundry machines may work on their student ID swipe card, but if not, quarters will be greatly appreciated!

7. Ipod charger/alarm clock.. a J&R iPod dock, is 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. Make sure you have the proper components to hook up the computer. Ethernet cord, wireless card, network connection information.. however they will they get online and onto the college server. You will receive information, in advance of arrival, from the school’s technology department that tells you everything. 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.

12. Buy underbed storage bins, yaffa blocks, over door hangers sparingly or even wait 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.

Once you have the dorm furnished, make sure you review this important advice for college parents. It's a list of things you need to get done with your child before they leave for college. #5 is especially critical if they are over 18.

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.