Class of 2025 -Dorm Room Set-Up

First – Congratulations to the class of 2025! You did it…. now it’s on to the next chapter – “Dorm Room Set-Up.” Having sent two off to their freshman years – I guess I am considered an expert lol.

In both cases my boys had amazing freshman roommates and this process was actually quite fun! The room set ups were very different, but the purchasing not so much. There are the basic things they will need and then I liked adding a few extras for a little personality. I’ve learned quite a bit from when my oldest (Jack) was a freshman. Fortunately for me, Jack had a great roommate from Atlanta and his mother (Patti) and I began chatting over the summer. Patti was awesome and clearly we were both into making our sons’ room functional and cool…. Patti was a little more about the function and I was more about the fluff. Anyway, we tag teamed our way through everything they needed (or what we thought they needed.) Much to my surprise the room was about half the size I thought it would be. There was no closet – just an armoire that was too short for Jack’s clothes, a desk that looked like it was made for a third grader, a bed with some storage and a kitchenette and bathroom to be shared with suite mates. So my first suggestion is begin with the essentials until you know the exact size of the room and its amenities. Will they have community bathrooms or a bath to be shared with suite mates? Do they offer renting a fridge & microwave or do you need to purchase. Do they have a kitchenette? My goal with Jack was to create a space that felt like home, but on a cool college level. When it was Cooper’s turn I wanted to do the same, but was a little more realistic on what would actually be used. As I said in my post a few years ago, eight seemed to be my magic number… 8 place settings of silverware, 8 plates, 8 bowls, 8 towels etc. To say I was a little out of control was an understatement! I bought cutting boards, sharp knives (plural), dish towels, drying racks, frying pans (again plural) and the list goes on. My son never really cooked at home – what made me think he would at school?

Room with suite mates & kitchenette

vs. one room with community bathrooms

What I’ve learned – Guys and Girls rooms are very different!

GUYS:

For guys sometimes, less is more. Tip #1: 4 of everything works just fine! I thought having extra would make things easier, when in actuality it created a bigger mess! I had everything perfectly arranged and folded as I put together Jack’s side of the room. Tees stacked like the Gap. Joggers hung on hangers. A flawless bed made with cozy throw pillows to create a sofa effect. Did I really think Jack was going to fold his clothes like I have been doing his whole life (again lol.) We had practiced doing laundry a few weeks before he left, but his folding skills were sketchy at best. Now Patti, she was a realist. She knew her son and had bins (collapsible no less) for everything. . . shoe bin, hoodie bin, pant bin and so on. Her plan was something he could easily maintain. Cooper did not have a kitchenette or suite mates … so we went the water bottle / solo cups /plastic silverware and paper plates route. His room was tiny and it was what worked for him. As you can see much less space, so the beds had to be raised… the good thing about this is that it allowed for a futon. He needed space to watch TV and it also came in handy for when he had friends stay over (highly recommend -see link below).

(On a side note – this will make you laugh. When Jack came home for Christmas and he unpacked his suitcase- I thought everything was dirty. His response was “no Mom , it’s all clean, I washed it all.” I said “but it’s all together and inside out.” He then said “oh that’s how I do laundry. I have a dirty pile and a clean pile. I take off my tee and hoodie together (as a set & inside out), wash it that way, dry it that way and then it goes together in the clean pile.” I laughed and was horrified at the same time.)

Next, let’s talk about their linens. Having a made bed is something my boys have always experienced. Crisp clean sheets (with a high thread count no less), the perfect pillows etc. Again, here is a time to get real. Top sheets – what teenage boy doesn’t undo the top sheet on the regular. Did I really think he would make his bed and reattach the top sheet every day – NO! So tip #2: skip the top sheet for guys. Jack & Cooper love their duvets, so they had that touch of home in a twin version with a mattress topper. In my list below, I will include them and I highly recommend getting both. The topper is the number #1 most important item in my opinion. The school issued mattress is as hard as a rock and a good topper is key to getting a good night’s rest. My recomendation would to duplicate as much of your child’s bed at home as you can. My pick would be the Sleepyhead 2″ (oh, and another mom said she actually put two fitted sheets on top of each other for her son’s bed, so he could just peel one off and he would be set with a clean sheet. I found this to be hilariou! Next up towels – again I sent 8 with Jack and that was too many! Four would have gotten the job done and taken up much less space and forced him to keep up with laundry… which is what I did for Cooper and it was the perfect amount. I would also recommend sending a couple of the quick dry towels (again see below) – large for guys and smaller size for girls hair washing. Laundry – for the guys KEEP IT SIMPLE! I sent a laundry basket on wheels and it was a huge hit. I believe it may have even served multiple purposes in transporting things (and people). The one listed below is tall and can hold quite a bit (both my boys said it was one of my best pick because it held so much and was easy). Think about it… would your son really place every item in a laundry bag or would they be more likely to shoot their tees like a basketball into a laundry cart – just saying : ). For detergent I would recommend pods – they are simple and easy. Some of the brands are rather powerful in their fragrance… be mindful of that.

Walls. Here is where they can add personality to the room and create extra space. Many of the boys brought flags from their home states. We drove Jack out to Johns Hopkins and along the way we stopped in every state and grabbed a ball cap to add to his collection. A few command hooks and we placed them in rows across the walls. We opted for a Detroit street sign to represent Michigan. I also think hanging a favorite jersey on the wall is a cool option too. Crates stacked on the top of the armoire created more space and the perfect angle for a rotating fan. For Cooper we did much of the same but added a beer deer and some cork squares. Tip #3: some of the essentials below may seem a little over the top, for example the larger mini fridge. It really doesn’t take up that much more room and while costing a bit more, it may save you $$$ in the end. Going out to eat is expensive and having a space for things like milk for cereal or a place for leftovers or the ability to chill a Britta water filter should have the extra cost covered in no time. ANOTHER GREAT TIP – if you are not allowed to drill into walls, we bought a long 2 x 4 and wedged it between the ceiling and floor and drilled into that…. I stained the wood for my son’s room and his girlfriend painted hers to match her bedding.

Start with Essentials – they take up a lot of room! Amazon is your friend, avoid all the running around.

Linens: Click on item to order.

Toppers and Mattress Pad:

(Down Alternative Comforter, Down Comforter, Bed Pillows, Pillow Protectors, Duvet Covers, Twin XL Sheets with color options, Triangle Headboard Pillow with Side Pockets, Rolling Laundry Basket – holds a ton, Thick Towels – also with color options, QUICK DRY towels (helps prevent wet smelly towels!), Foam Toppers, Mattress Pad & Zippered Mattress Encasement- a MUST!)

Electronics and Appliances & More: Click on item to order.

(40″ TV, Tile tracker, UEBoom waterproof speaker (one of my favorite things makes a great gift too), desk lamp, mini fridges, fridge-microwave stand. microwave, Keurig Mini, Ninja single blender, Brita water filter, fans with remote – Dreo Tower & WOOZOO, clock that projects time, a shower caddy & extension cords with surge protectors.)

Extras: Click on item to order.

(Cork Boards & push pins for pictures of Mom : ), a Magnetic White Board for reminders & roommate notes, Milk Crates, Stackable Storage Bins (great on closet floor for socks and boxers), Steel Storage Rack, Tension Rod Shelf, Shoe Storage Towers, Futons, Sleeper Chair, Leather Wall Envelope, Jersey Display Hooks, Custom Street Signs, Bed Caddy, Bedside Shelf, North Face Backpack, Rain Gear, Umbrella, Shaker Bottle, Spike Ball, Pickleball Paddle, Poker Set, SOCKS!!, Phone Holder for zoom meetings )

Now for the GIRLS-

Here is what I’ve learned… girls coordinate with each other and they have a plan. They care a lot about their bed, they like having a place to put on makeup and they are all about displaying pictures – lots and lots of pictures! Oh, and they seem to crave cool and cute storage. They also want something a little different. A cool wall, A beautiful carpet or maybe a fantastic light.

Linens & Shower: Click on item to order.

(Duvet Covers, sheets in Twin XL, Barefoot Dreams throws, quilted headboards, shower caddies, QUICK DRY Towels – great for hair!, laundry baskets on wheels – two sizes/colors)

Electronics and Appliances (girl version): Click on item to order.

(Mini Fridge, Ninja Single Serve, UEBoom waterproof speaker, Desk Lamp, Gooseneck Clip Lamp & Fun Power Strip)

Extras: Click on item to order.

Walls:

(Removable Wallpaper & Cork boards for Pictures)

Rugs:

(Cool rugs in neutral colors available in various sizes)

Weather Gear, Safety & More:

(Tension Rod Coat Rack in White, Rain Gear, Umbrella, Safety Alarm, Extension Cords with Surge Protectors, North Face Backpack, Tile Tracker, Uggs, Makeup Mirrors, Full Length Mirror (with color options))

Storage:

(Closet hanging storage, Fabric Bins, Collapsible Bins, Skinny Rubber Coated Hangers, Over the Door Hooks, Cord Hiders, Closet Shelves and Closet Hanging Rod, Lightweight Foldable Step-Ladders )

Don’t Forgets:

(Just a few things that will help you pull everything together… Moving Bags XL & Medium, Magnetic Hooks (hold 9-23lbs), Command Hooks & Velcro Strips, Double Sided Tape, a First Aid Kit, Flashlight, Rechargeable Batteries, Common Pharmacy Items, a little Tool Box, an Amazon Gift Card for forgotten items and a starter School Supply Package would be a good pick up too, Wall Calendar and Blue Light Glasses for Major Computer Time)

My family and friends loved these dorm posts, because they knew the items would make great gifts… so pass it along. Guys loved the speakers, fan, backpack & tile tracker and the girls loved the cozy throws, makeup mirrors & Uggs. I hope this gives you a good start to your college shopping! Remember, divide and conquer. Oh, and please send us pictures!

p.s. buy as much as you can a head of time, because when you arrive to your college town the Target, the CVS, etc. stores will be sold out of the staples you need.