As a freshman entering college, the expenses pile on fast: the textbooks, tuition, dining and the list goes on. “Home sweet home” becomes “dorm sweet dorm,” and this new home should not be one of those dreaded expenses. Decorating a dorm gives you a blank canvas to express yourself as you embark on this new chapter of your life. Finding decor to fit your aesthetic does not have to break your bank. Here are some stores that have all the dorm essentials without making your pockets hurt.
Five Below
Five Below is the one-stop-shop for all the dorm necessities for the boss babes on a budget. They have anything from fairy lights to fake plants, and did I mention that everything is five dollars? As I decorated my freshman dorm, I went to Five Below first and was shocked by the amount of decor I was able to find and love at this store. I bought fake plants to bring life and a sense of calmness to my desk where all the studying would take place. I bought fluffy pillows that fit my color pallet and added comfort but were aesthetically pleasing when the time came to boast my new dorm to friends and family. The most important product I purchased from Five Below was plastic storage containers. These are vital in accelerating the packing process and then maximizing space in your dorm. If you want to spice up your future dorm, Five Below has letter boards for just five dollars and even fairy lights for the same price. Whether you need storage, bedding or accessories, Five Below has what you need.
Target
The place where we all love to spend our free time on the weekends or give into our unnecessary shopping habits can also be a place to find essentials for your future dorm. It is no secret that Target is the holy grail of retail stores. They have bathing suits, clothes, toys, groceries, furniture and more. If you’re anything like me, then you know the ins and outs of Target and that despite items being pricy at times, you can find some great steals. When shopping for my freshman dorm, I knew Target would have what I needed.
Have you really lived if you haven’t checked out Target’s Dollar Spot? You can find some of the cutest macrame hangers, plants, mirrors and containers for all under $20. Target definitely keeps its word with their slogan, “Expect more. Pay less.” Looking in this dollar section will maintain your budget, but the rest of the aisles have some great items that are essential for your dorm. When it comes to furniture, Target has storage ottomans that can be useful for packing up your things and adds practicality when living in your dorm. For decor, there are pillows and blankets galore. For essentials, there are hampers and shower caddies. On the days you don’t feel like working at your desk, Target has this plush bed rest pillow for just $18! Dorm shopping is made easy at Target.
Amazon
Do I need to even justify this option? Amazon is like that one friend that always has your back. If you need a shirt for an upcoming sorority date function, Amazon has it. If you need a bathing suit for a faux Spring Break you’re having in your backyard, Amazon has it. Everything dorm related, Amazon has it. Nearly all of my decor for my freshman dorm came from Amazon. To pinch a penny, make sure to use the filters on Amazon for $25 and under, but sometimes it is nice to spoil ourselves. I knew I wanted a boho minimalist aesthetic heading into my freshman dorm, so all I did was search “boho decor” on Amazon, and voila my boho dreams were made. I purchased macrame wall art, a stunning and soft chenin blanket, a useful rose gold desk storage set and cloth baskets to store anything from clothes to blankets. To add life to those cinder block walls you can get this set of three Boho wall prints for just $14.99.
P.S. the transition into college can be difficult so don’t be afraid to spoil yourself in the process. Get yourself some self-love items right off of Amazon!
HomeGoods
Somehow, I always find myself in this store even when I have no room or house to decorate, and the reason for that is because it has some of the cutest decor for a price that I cannot pass up. I secretly think Pinterest owns this store if I am being honest. It just never fails me and my aesthetic. You will find all of the dorm necessities to make your first year at college a little bit more manageable. There are kitchenware and coffee mugs that are must-haves for that fine dining made in a little microwave. There is a wide selection of storage options from plastic makeup containers to mason jars for pens and pencils. There is wall art, picture frames, polaroid holders, pillows, blankets, lamps, do I need to even say any more? HomeGoods is the best store for college students who want high-quality items from some of their favorite brands, but for a low price.
Your freshman dorm is going to be your home for the next year, so you need to make it your new safe place. Find your aesthetic and color pallet and head to one of these stores (or all) to find what decor fits you the most. Designing a dorm fit for HGTV does not have to cost a fortune. There are bargains everywhere you go, but you just need to have your eye out for them. Thankfully, these stores exist so you don’t need to look hard. This next chapter of your life is an exciting one and you deserve to have fun in the process!
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