Last year's shopping, checklists, and bedding threads.

[NotMamaRose]

Ok, you experienced parents, here's a question:

The dorm that my D will be in at NYU has shallow closets that have no doors on them. Each kid gets one closet, that is basically an indentation in the wall with a rod running across the top.

I have seen ads in fliers from Target, etc. for various kinds of "systems" (that's too sophisticated a word!) made of canvas or some kind of cloth can be hung on those rods and then you can use the canvas organizer (which hangs down) to hold sweaters, shoes and such.

Are those things helpful in a very small dorm room with limited space for hanging? It seems that my D may not have a dresser: the dorm she will be in has "captain's beds" with a series of drawers that are built in as part of the bed. So she will have to cram all her stuff (she is not a clotheshorse or anything, but is a musical theater major and has mucho dance wear, etc.) into that shallow closet and bed drawers. There apparently is no "under the bed" area where kids can store plastic bins.

Any ideas?

[teriwtt]

nmr - do you know how wide the indentation is? I'm guessing that your daughter will not need to hang up a lot of clothes, meaning she will have most use of the rod that is present in the indentation for something you create.

I will say that we hit up Container Store when they had their college night near us. We did buy some of those canvas organizers that basically give you more 'drawer' space. The Container Store > Shop Closet > Hanging Bags > Natural Materials > 6-Compartment Canvas Hanging Sweater Bag. The ones we bought had the option of buying extra canvas 'drawers' that you could slide into each cell. That is particularly helpful for things like socks, underwear, etc. that would be likely to fall out of one of those cells if they're just stuffed/crammed in. I think we bought two of the canvas hanging systems and it's been very helpful. It also makes moving out and back in easier, as you're basically just taking out drawers and moving them with their contents as opposed to taking stuff out of a dresser/packing it into a box/bag/piece of luggage, then reversing the process at some other date.

I also think you will find that many kids will take season-appropriate clothes to school with them in August/September, with a couple of sweatshirts, etc. Then as the weather starts to change, they will let you know when it's time for the heavy stuff. You can either send it at that point, or take it with you when you go for a visit. If you go for a visit, you can then take back home with you things that will be considered inadequate for the colder seasons.

[NotMamaRose]

Teriwtt, thanks, that's exactly what I meant. I have NO idea how wide the indentation is, but have seen photos and it's not really wide, and the only drawers they have are basically built in under the beds. (No dresser.) I think the item you posted was great and is exactly what I was thinking about, but would love to find the drawers that go with that. I need to find out if there is a container store near me, as this six drawer hanging thing is cheaper than what they have at Target!!

[teriwtt]

nmr - wow... I'm surprised that it's cheaper at Target, but I guess that's good. You can order from Container Store on-line.

[Jarn]

Anyone got a link to a checklist that works? The links on the first page appear to not work.

[remark_gi]

Not Mama Rose:
Container Store closest to NYU is at 629 Sixth Ave., between 18th & 19th St. (212) 366-4200. According to the website they should be open 9-9 M-S and 10-8 on Sunday. We are also 'interested' in those captain's beds in Third North - son will be there after all (other post from me about randomness of NYU assignments...), but he got the single in a 5-person suite. I figure we're going to have to see the room first and then decide what additional space savers/storage he will need. 3 more weeks - Happy Shopping.

[MomOf3Stars]

IDK if this is on anyone else's list but one of the things I am sending my daughter with is a couple of net lingerie washing bags. One for her bras and one for socks (keeps them all together and makes for easier sorting).

[emmom]

Ikea has the canvas closet organizers for $6.99 and the drawer inserts as well. IKEA | Clothes & shoes organizers | Clothes organizers | SKUBB | Organizer

[Ilovecrew]

Does anyone have a good place for brightly colored twin sized down or hypoallergenic comforters? Already ahve a quilt, so lightweight would work. I have already checked The Company Store and Lands End.

[toledo]

Try Macy's web site. They have a "down alternative" comforter.

[2cakes]

nmr: DDs both used those plastic storage drawer carts in the bottom of their closets. Very cheap right now ($9.99) and available at KMart near NYU.

Can't say enough about the student insurance we have for DDs stuff. We had to replace a damaged camera last year and the $25 deductible plus the cost of the policy was still only 1/3 the cost of the camera!

Also considering a battery back-up after so many power outages last year.

[RoselawnMom]

Thought it might be a good time to bring this thread back. I know I found it to be extremely helpful last year as I prepared to send my daughter off to a school far from home.
One item I read about and followed the poster's lead was the Krups water kettle.

http://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/prod...1&SKU=13870870

My daughter thought this was unnecessary when I bought it (recommended to me in black because it does not show stains inside) but after the first cold morning, this item was in constant use. All the girls on her floor knew it was there and frequently borrowed it. Even though D had a microwave (as did her friends) they still preferred heating their water for tea and coffee in this kettle. The OP for this item was spot on!

Something I came upon was a drawer system from IKEA. For less than $50, we put together a unit with 6 drawers for D and her 2 roommates to store mugs, plates, silverware, food, etc. The water kettle sat on top of the nice wooden top, providing a clear space to prepare their drinks, instant soups, etc.


IKEA | Clothes storage systems | ANTONIUS system | ANTONIUS | Frame
IKEA | Clothes storage systems | ANTONIUS system | ANTONIUS | Wire basket
IKEA | Clothes storage systems | ANTONIUS system | ANTONIUS | Worktop
IKEA | Clothes storage systems | ANTONIUS system | ANTONIUS | Caster

While the drawers could certainly hold anything she wanted, the girls found it very convenient to have this little "kitchen area" in less than 18 inces of space.

[guitarist's mom]

Hi, I skimmed this thread but didn't see this addressed, sorry if I missed it - my son would like a not-too-small but not-too-big safe for his dorm room to hold the usual valuables plus smaller music devices (pedals, cables, etc.). I wonder if there is anything that will work for this sort of thing that couldn't be simply picked up and carried away but can be attached without any structural damage to something in the dorm room.... any ideas? Did a google search but nothing looks quite right and I would rather get some CC recommendations!

[northeastmom]

https://www.dormvault.com/store/productpage.php?pp_id=1

Probably will be too small though. I know nothing about these, but some people have have posted this site on CC in the past.

[bmom]

Bed Bath & Beyond - Campus Security Portable Safe -- probably too small for your purpose

Bed Bath & Beyond - Dorm Vault™ Cube Safe