Three Things to Bear in Mind
When Shopping for Your
Dorm Room on a Budget

by Laura Pearson

Heading off to college is an exciting rite of passage for young adults. However, it can also be a trying time for some people. After all, you’re striking out into the world on your own, leaving behind the creature comforts of home to live in a space that’s likely smaller than what you’re used to and often shared with a veritable stranger.

Indeed, it can be quite a daunting paradigm shift, but the fact is that you can make the best out of your dorm room when you stock up on must-haves that make dorm life easier and more comfortable. Moreover, you don’t even need to empty out your student budget to get them when you can easily look for online deals, promo codes and coupons, and cashback specials offered by some sites to enjoy savings for anything from supplies to electronics. So, without further ado, here’s a guide on what stuff your dorm room should never be without.

To Save Space

No doubt, space is going to be your biggest challenge as you settle into your dorm room — especially if you have to share it with someone else. So, it’s more than wise to start your dorm room shopping with space-saving essentials.

While there are countless knick-knacks you can get to help you save space, it’s still best to limit your shopping to those you will use with some regularity. Tools that help organize and expand closet space are a must, such as organizing bins, hooks, and extension rods. You can also make use of the space under your bed with wheeled boxes and drawers, and perhaps even use bed risers to elevate your bed for precious additional inches. Other items like a wheeled cart, storage ottomans, and shoe and bed organizers are also great additions to this space. The best part is that most of these are available in dollar stores and won’t break the bank, so make sure to start your search in these stores first.

For Focus

Of course, don’t lose sight of the reason why you’re living in a dorm in the first place, and that is because you’re getting an education. For this reason, it’s very important to set up your dorm room as a space for learning with minimal distractions and better focus in mind—easier said than done, of course, especially in a shared room, but definitely possible in wallet-friendly ways.

First of all, you will need a desk. Most dorm rooms will already be furnished with one, but if yours isn’t (or the current one doesn’t pass muster), consider looking to the student marketplace in your school for a used one or venturing to online listings or flea markets in your area.

Next, organize your desk to keep clutter at bay, which can interfere with your focus. Again, you’ll want to raid your local dollar store or specialty shop for affordable desk caddies and organizers, drawer dividers, and a pinboard, to name a few. Again, such items won’t take up too much of your student budget, but do be more mindful as you shop so you don’t go overboard.

To Make It Feel Like Home

Finally, don’t forget to decorate your dorm room. More than just a place to sleep and study, it should also be a sanctuary of sorts for you, so you’ll want to strike a balance and make it homey, too. This can be done in cheap and easy ways. Consider getting linens that speak to your aesthetics and adding a cute throw pillow or two. You can also jazz up a blank wall by creating a photo mural or hanging posters, and maybe add a colorful rug to liven up the room. Again, do your due diligence before shopping so you can find the best deals both online and off.

Suffice it to say, dorm life is so much better when you have a space that you can love, appreciate, and really call your own. Thankfully, it’s not hard or costly to create one out of your standard-issue dorm room, so hop to it!

Photo via Pexels.com

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