Making A College Dorm A Home Away From Home
Making A College Dorm A Home Away From Home

Advice for the Recent Grad in Your Life

It’s that time of year again! The time where high school grads are going off to college for the first time. I’m sure many of you have kids and grandkids that will be starting this journey, and you want them to be as comfortable as possible when it comes to grads making a “home away from home” in their college dorm.

It can be difficult being away from home for the first time, especially for those grads who are off to a university across the state line or more than a few hours away. However, there are ways that your grad can make their dorm an inviting space where they can comfortably study, rest, and enjoy time with new friends.

Shower Caddy

shower caddy from Wal-Mart
shower caddy from Wal-Mart

If you have a grad staying in a dorm with a large, shared bathroom, a nice shower caddy can make all the difference in the world. This is a perfect way for transporting soap, shampoo, and other toiletries back and forth from the bathroom, as well as storing these items inside of the dorm room.

Small Fridge and Microwave

small fridge fromPottery Barn
small fridge fromPottery Barn

Make sure that your grad gets in touch with their roommate concerning these items to make sure one of them has a fridge and/or microwave and vice versa.

Hanging Sheet Tapestries

sheet tapestry from Amazon
sheet tapestry from Amazon

You can find unique, hanging tapestries from stores like Bed, Bath, and Beyond and Amazon in a variety of colors and patterns. They can easily be thumbtacked to the wall for a personal touch or even above the bed like a faux canopy. It adds a personal, individual touch. These can also be combined with a ceiling rod or cable to form a curtain around the bed for a private space when they just need a break from the world.

Mattress Pillow Topper

mattress pillow top from Bed, Bath, & Beyond
mattress pillow top from Bed, Bath, & Beyond

Most of us probably remember the absurd un-comfortability of a dorm mattress. In college, I combined an egg crate topper with a fluffy mattress pillowtop, and it made my bed feel like heaven. This is ultra important for those who are particular sleepers.

Dorm Rug

large rug from IKEA
large rug from IKEA

Since the flooring in most dorms is old acrylic or concrete, finding a rug for the dorm room will make a huge difference. You can go by a carpet store and purchase a fairly inexpensive carpet / rug to cover the bulk of the room, or you can purchase a large, patterned rug from IKEA for a really good price.

Bring Mementos From Home

Whether it is pictures of friends and family, or even a stuffed animal, these mementos will make your grad’s dorm feel more like home!

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