Dorm Decor
I just finished a big move at home and now it's on to the next thing!
What’s On My List
College orientation is checked off the list. Last week, we drove back from Ft. Worth to Houston on a traffic-filled highway with seemingly everyone else in Texas. It’s not a long drive, but as the locals say, it’s a boring one. In our delirium, my daughter and I made a list of everything she still needs for her dorm room. I meant to get this post out before Amazon Prime Day started, but I got just a lit-tle bit distracted with moving out of our home in Houston and getting everything into storage for the next month. We ran out of space in our storage midway through and I had to scramble for a second unit. But our move is checked off the list, and I’m sitting in the United Club in Houston, about to head to Jamaica for some R&R with my family. Just in case you’re looking for dorm items or know someone who is, I thought I’d share our list. If that’s not you, I apologize. Just click on over to my Travel Guides or Recipes instead!
I tend to be a “less is more” person and this is my third time moving a kid to college. That said, this particular child has a lot of opinions and ideas about her room (she is an interior design major, after all), so she’s not just handing the project over to me. She’s very focused on the “decor” aspect, like the headboard, rug, and a hutch for her “vanity,” which is also known as a desk in some dorm rooms. Happy shopping!
The Dorm List
My entire shop of dorm essentials I’ve saved over the years is here. Take “essentials” with a grain of salt. I don’t think all of the items saved in my Amazon shop are essentials by any means, and again, “less is more.” What you move in, you have to move out.
Headboard. I’m struggling with this purchase because I want it to be secure so it doesn’t fall forward or feel floppy. My interior design student is more focused on the “look.” Dorm Decor headboards seem solid and this moss green scalloped headboard is cute and this Amazon one with contrast piping. If any moms have suggestions for headboards that work well with wood-framed twin dorm beds, please comment below.
Rug. Ideally, I’d love to get a washable rug, even though I doubt it will get washed all year. But that way it can be reused for an apartment down the road. I saw this and this in pink, this and this in sage/taupe and this and this in blue. Use code SMART15 for a first-time discount on Ruggable. Look for the “all-in-one” rugs, I don’t really like the ones with a separate pad. Amazon also has rugs on sale: this in pink, this in blue, and this.
Storage ottoman. This leather option would be great for a boy. I liked this but the design student wasn’t a fan of the fabric. This rattan option is great because it won’t get dirty when they inevitably stand on it to get into bed
A bed skirt that slides open from the middle would be ideal, so you can easily get to items underneath. I’ve seen them on Etsy, but you need to know the drop length from the bottom of the mattress to the floor. I might order this after we move in so I get it right! I also found this more tailored one that can be returned if it doesn’t work. And this scalloped bed skirt is so cute.
Mattress topper. I bought my oldest daughter this pricey Sleepyhead topper (and the 2" is on sale!) but they usually only have it for one year and then end up with a full or queen bed. My son used this less expensive 3-inch foam topper and loved it.
XL Twin Bedding. I also tend to like organic bamboo sheets or these because they’re extra soft. There’s also super cute bedding from a company called Look Linen, but it’s an investment. They have 20%-off on their dorm bundles right now. You could order inexpensive sheets from Amazon and get a more special lumbar or king pillow to pull everything together.
Rolling storage cart. Great for desk supplies, makeup, etc.
Under-bed storage. You can also usually push a dresser under a raised dorm bed. This 4-pack of stackable plastic drawers might also come in handy.
Shower caddy. We’re on the hunt for one that hangs on the shower head so you don’t have to put it on the floor. This one is cuter but it would have to go on the floor! This might be an option too.
Shower shoes, available in tons of colors.
Cordless vacuum. My older kids started with this inexpensive handheld vacuum and it did the trick.
Bedside caddy or shelf. You don’t really need these if you have a high bedside table, but sometimes it’s nice for easy access to a water bottle and phone.
Power strip. This one also has a phone charging outlet.
Air purifier (that’s the one I got for my older two) and I’ve seen a lot of talk about this one. I really want to get this Dyson air purifier and fan combo, but it’s so darn expensive and it might take up too much space.
Desk lamp (this is cute in pink or a clip-on light for a dorm bed. These wireless lamps are great. This is an inexpensive accent lamp, but I got vetoed on this one.
Desk hutch or this one.
Compact printer. Still doing research on this one!
Blackout curtains. A friend who is a designer got these in green ticking stripe for her daughter. These scalloped panels are cute, but I don’t think they’re completely blackout (which might be best for kiddos with 8 am classes!). If you need short curtains because of bed placement, check out these. This blackout option with the pompom trim is also cute. Hanging the curtains can be a challenge, depending on the window design and dorm rules. I’m not sure if these adhesive curtain hangers or these will work. You can also try these tension rods.
Small bulletin board. Some dorm rooms come with these installed, and you’ll want to check the rules for attaching them to walls.
Small water filter for fridge or filtered water bottle. I’m going to skip the ice maker that my son talked me into because they get gross very fast!
Laundry basket. I like this one with wheels but it’s small and will fill up fast, or my son has this and the straps are long enough to throw over your shoulder and head to the laundry room.
Lola blanket dupe or bed throw
Closet organization. I might need to see what we’re working with before ordering much, but I have a feeling my clothing-obsessed child will need to get creative with her hanging clothes and shoes. TBD for now! We will for sure get some of these to combat moisture and mold!
Where To Shop
Note: I haven’t ordered from all of these online stores; this is just part of my research list for dorm decor!
Ballard Designs Dorm Collection
Amazon (I have a shop with my saved dorm items.)
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