<p>We have a daughter headed off to a big state U. How much should we buy for the dorm. Like how many towels. The absolute musts, and the stuff you can do without. When I go the Bed Bath & Beyond site. I just kinda go well, how much should I order? She likes all the girly stuff and uses it all. How many of everything? As always, Thanks so much in advance:)</p>
<p>I got my kids 2 sets of sheets, a comforter, mattress pad, risers (for the one kid whose bed was not height-adjustable), 2 towels, mesh laundry baskets, a couple plastic crates, desk lamp, power strip, shower caddy, fan, backrest, a small corkboard, alarm clock… and I think that’s about it.</p>
<p>I’m not sure I’d say all of those were “must haves”, but I think most were used frequently enough to make them worth buying.</p>
<p>We did not get them refrigerators, microwaves, rugs, tvs, chairs, throw pillows, purely decorative stuff, etc.</p>
<p>I am a bad mommy. I gave my kids whatever they wanted out of my linen closet, (from my bridal shower many years ago plus cast-offs from various family members) and bought myself new at Macy’s. Kids seemed happy with the beach towels and “worn in” comforters, and I was delirious to have something in the house that wasn’t bleach stained, faded, or in avocado green/harvest gold.</p>
<p>rentof2’ list is spot on. I would add a small dry-erase board. I don’t know how common they are at other colleges, but here most students have one on their door where we leave each other short messages. Oh, and I did not get:</p>
<ul>
<li>risers: our beds have built-in drawers and are not meant to be elevated</li>
<li>2nd set of sheets: I would wash my sheets and put them back on my bed on the same day</li>
<li>a backrest.</li>
</ul>
<p>Agreed, Blossom. Most of the time, things go missing, get lost, stained, etc so why not use stuff that you have at home and spend your money on things they need and you dont have. 2 sets of sheets, 2 towels, washcloths.</p>
<p>Lots of debates about this on CC… but I think one set of sheets is plenty, especially is space is tight. Since most colleges have XL twin beds, it’s not easy to swap with dorm and home.</p>
<p>This year I think I’ll send a 2nd pillow case with DS. He could put them both on, and then strip the top one for a time when no time to wash sheets. Don’t be surprised if your kids don’t wash their sheet weekly in the dorm or when they return home for the summer.</p>
<p>The fabric thing that holds shoes in the closet is one thing my daughter likes.</p>
<p>Last year they had a “dorm in a bag”, where they had everything packaged up for a dorm in transportable way. The best part is your can order it on line or in you local store and pick it up near the store nearest your D’s college.</p>
<p>Also, plan a visit to your D in about 2-4 weeks after she has settled in. That is what I did with my S, he made a list based on what others had and he thought he could use (and what he was missing) and we went to Target and completed the shopping. Don’t sweat it too much.</p>
<p>[Moda</a> Dorm in a Bag - Bed Bath & Beyond](<a href=“http://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/product.asp?SKU=123884]Moda”>http://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/product.asp?SKU=123884)</p>
<p>*Moda Dorm in a Bag</p>
<p>This complete set features contemporary patterns and unique colors. Includes wall dots and a dry erase marker. Twin and twin extra long sets include 66" W x 102" L flat sheet, fitted sheet that fits mattresses up to 15" deep, one standard pillowcase, 63" W x 92" L comforter, one 20" x 26" standard sham, one 50" x 60" throw, one 20" x 26" bed pillow, two 44" x 25" towels, and one hamper (Fitted sheet is 4" longer than a standard twin sheet and has a seam that provides a perfect fit on both twin and twin extra long bed sizes.). Full set includes 81" W x 96" L flat sheet, fitted sheet that fits mattresses up to 15" deep, two standard pillowcases, 78" W x 88" L comforter, two 20" x 26" standard shams, one 50" x 60" throw, two bed pillows, two 44" x 25" towels, and one hamper. 100% cotton, 200 thread count. Pillow and throw are 100% polyester. Machine wash. Imported. *</p>
<p>OP–every year there are “what to bring” and, more importantly, “what not to bring” threads. My $0.02–definitely go less. You/your daughter can always supplement a few weeks in if she finds she’s lacking. I love the idea of sending bedding/linens you already have and buying yourself new!! I also like sites like overstock–deep discounts on things like mattress pads, twin XL sheets, . . . . (Mattress pad was one thing recommended here on CC that DS has actually really liked.) I know it’s fun and exciting, particularly with girls, to think about decorating and filling a dorm room, but they actually don’t need that much. (E.g., I’d never consider sending an iron, a tool kit, any furniture, cleaning supplies, . . . .)</p>
<p>I’m with Blossom. The first “shopping trip” was in our linen closets. Kids took the oldest towels with them to college (they were thinner and dried more quickly…a plus in college…and if ANYONE was getting NEW towels…it was ME!!). Those oldest towels got used for ONE year and were pitched. Both of our kids took the comforters right off of their beds. We used jersey knit sheets which also fit xlong twin mattresses just fine. They took desk lamps, and other decorative items from their rooms (well…DD got to buy a new desk lamp because she was going to college across the country and got it there).</p>
<p>Our kids wanted a “taste of home” with them in their new dorms. Neither of them wanted brand new stuff…they wanted the old favorites.</p>
<p>The market for college students is HUGE. Our rule of thumb was…if you didn’t need it at home, you won’t need it (or have room for it) in a dorm room. Some of the “stuff” they market is unbelievable…and they make you believe you MUST have it to survive.</p>
<p>I would suggest adding at least TWO surge protector outlet strips to the list. Most dorms have very insufficienct outlets…and these are great.</p>
<p>Another vote for shopping in the linen closet first. I gave S 4 old towels. (Navy blue, so they don’t show stains, and wear like iron. Believe it or not, I actually inherited them from MY parents! 
) I also had him take the comforter and comforter cover/pillow shams off his bed at home (full/queen works perfectly on an X-long twin), and it’s a navy plaid flannel that doesn’t show anything. (I bought new stuff for his bed at home.) He took the desk lamp and waste basket from his room. I gave him 2 revolving CD towers that we could do without, and a strip surge protector extension cord.</p>
<p>Things I bought:
*2 sets extra-long twin sheets/pillowcases on sale at The Company Store (One on, one in the wash theory. Probably the 2nd set wasn’t necessary.)
*Twin memory foam at Target (extra-long not necessary)
*Extra-long twin mattress pad at Target
*Full/queen size dark blue fleece blanket at Target (This has been a particular favorite, great purchase.)
*Mesh pop-up laundry bag (he actually uses it)</p>
<p>We also got him some stuff for a futon couch, because he was in a 3-room suite with 2 bedrooms and a tiny common room, but most kids wouldn’t need that, and he has not needed it in subsequent years. He continues to get good use out of the sofa pillows we got at BB&B, though.</p>
<p>Agree that most of the lists of supposed essentials are grossly inflated.</p>
<p>When DS heads off to college in a year, I am going to be very sad that I splurged on the Chinese dragon (with red peonies) sheets that DD wanted and doesn’t need because now she has a different bed size! And her dear aunt passed on a set of hot pink ones, which I am guessing the boy won’t want either. </p>
<p>DD definitely took less stuff for her second year. This year its an apartment, so we have furniture.</p>
<p>One thing we did get at BBB was a bedbug mattress cover. Before I’d buy all those cutesie decorator items, I’d get that first. It encloses the mattress, zipping closed. My son had it on his bed last year, and will put it on again this year. They have it in the Twin XL at BBB. It wasn’t very expensive, and you can use the coupon.</p>
<p>wow I just wrote everyone back a super long message and I refreshed page and it disapeared. Ugh! I will make a shorted version. How about under bed shoe storage as opposed to precious closet space. Do you think a bed bug mattress neccesary for college that is on east coast? I think if I send her only 1 set sheets will be good, less to keep track of. Older towels sounds like an excellent idea and certainly thinner ones. Didn’t even cross my mind not to buy big fluffy towels that wont dry back east:) (We live in desert, they dry in two seconds) ~ Got d a bed in bag at sams club that is adorable…except in includes bedskirt, wish it were sheets instead. they had big vibrant colored body pillows for $10 got her one of those two and the jr. in high school:) I really appreciate all of your comments:)</p>
<p>The bed bug mattress is just a vinyl cover. It’s not big, and won’t take up space. No bigger than a pillow case. I would take it to any college, no matter the location.</p>
<p>Re: underbed storage…we got a wheeled underbed storage thing for DS…he forgot to look in it (out of sight, out of mind) and when he needed the things in it…he went to the store. We didn’t waste our money on these for DD.</p>
<p>Re: the mesh laundry bag…DS actually used a wheeled thing (might have been a small carryon) to do his laundry…that was after he ripped the mesh bag. DD got a canvas one.</p>
<p>Re: shoe storage…DS didn’t have extra shoes DD bought one that hung on the inside of her closet door…holds 24 pairs of shoes (in her case, mostly flip flops). This would NOT have worked for DS anyway as his closet had a curtain…not a door.</p>
<p>Take HANGERS with you. Dorms are not hotels…if you don’t bring them, you won’t have them.</p>
<p>Things my kids both used…duct tape…small clip on fan (clipped to bed), a chair cushion for their desk chair (inexpensive but made that chair so much more comfy).</p>
<p>Those over-the-door shoe holders are great for other things besides shoes. We have one on the inside of a storage closet for all the small things that always seem to go missing when you need them most. They also come in handy in a shared bathroom, so everyone has a place for their toiletries without taking up limited shelf space. I’d recommend mesh pockets so it’s easy to see what’s in each pocket.</p>
<p>This thread on CC may help you, and it is quite funny to read! </p>
<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/parents-forum/926984-10s-what-did-you-send-college-your-child-never-used.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/parents-forum/926984-10s-what-did-you-send-college-your-child-never-used.html</a></p>