How To It's a good idea toFurnish your first college dorm or apartment on a budget.
College students can report that money can be tight.To make your apartment or dorm look good, you need to be smart and creative.Pick up some essential living items.
Step 1: What do you need?
Things you absolutely need for your dorm room are the first things you should start with.Colleges usually have an orientation pack that lists what you will need.For example: sheets, pillows, blankets, mattress protectors.What is not allowed?Many schools don't allow the use of hot pots, candles, and the like.This will likely be stated very clearly.What do upperclassmen recommend?Orientation is a good time to ask people who are familiar with campus what they need to know.The first week is usually good if not.This may include dorm-sized fridges, fans, lamps, microwaves, carpets, and so on.You will need to provide furniture in apartments.This includes furniture like beds and couches.If there is any furniture in the apartment, be sure to ask.Sometimes an apartment has furniture because the last tenant left it behind.If you inquire about the tenant's intentions, they may leave you something or give you a high discount.It's a good idea to be careful with "back to school" advertising.Retail stores will try to convince you that you don't need things.You can't have an oversized beanbag chair in your small dorm.
Step 2: Make a list of what you need.
You can find a list of common items in the Things You'll Need section.Consider that space will be limited.It may be necessary to add more to apartment living.Judgement and common sense are important.The list should be put in order.How long will you be there?A person spending one semester at a special program will likely need less than a school year.It is easier to pack and move out if less is brought in.You will have to move out of your house in 9 months.If you have to take a bus or airplane home, there can be too much stuff.College students tend to move frequently so it makes sense to keep your household goods light.As you go, it makes sense to make a running list.You tend to figure out what you need as you get used to a space.It can help you remember things when you go shopping, or at a garage sale.It's usually easy to find shops.Most colleges have retail stores where you can buy things you need.It's not usually necessary to buy everything immediately.Many things can be purchased online even if there are few stores.
Step 3: The plan should be for the short term.
Most of the items you'll need to get through college or your first apartment don't have to last more than a few years.The furnishings of your first place will likely not be the best, since you should always try to choose items of decent quality.Purchase cheap plastic items, such as plastic drawers, foldable tables, futons, or even patio furniture, as an inexpensive way to fulfill your needs.Don't go with furniture that is really low-quality.An old futon can hurt your back.A plastic drawer set that breaks before winter break is not a bargain.Don't get too fussed.During the college years, the things you use tend to be used for a few years at best, and not as nice as what you have during your career.Over the years, your parent's house will have things they have accumulated.For now, you won't have a matching bedroom set or anything similar.
Step 4: If you want to use any items, ask relatives or neighbors.
Many people have attics and drawers full of unused or unwanted items in need of a good home.It might be a good idea to take it off their hands.They can keep their eyes open and set things aside if they start asking over the summer.Don't take items from the family home.You don't want to be a greedy scavenger.If your father wants to upgrade his television, you may be able to discuss taking the old one to your apartment.Do not expect to get things that are being used in the home.Request supplies for college or your apartment if your loved ones want to throw a party or give gifts to celebrate your graduation.Target and Bed Bath & Beyond have registries.Don't make extravagant requests.One thing to ask for is a dorm-sized refrigerator, but a TV may seem greedy.People will appreciate your plight if you keep it simple and reasonable.Thank you notes are sent to everyone who gives you a gift.Be thankful.
Step 5: Go to the curb.
Many people don't want to sell or donate.It's common when people move on trash day or after a yard sale.Problems with mold, bed bugs, and basic cleanliness can be an issue if items are washed and sanitized.If you want the best stuff, travel to more affluent areas.People with extra money throw out old items because they have gone out of style.Second hand stores, recycling centers, and thrift shops are excellent resources.
Step 6: You can head to the landfill or recycling center.
There is a separate building where people can drop off lightly used furniture and other house items, which are usually categorized as "Too Good to Throw Out."Spring cleaning for county residents can mean a new couch for your apartment or a computer station for the dorm at no cost to you.One morning a full shed can be bone-dry the next, so be sure to visit these places frequently.
Step 7: There are other kinds of free handouts.
Check out websites such as Freecycle.Most of the time, people will post items for free.Be careful with insects.There can be problems with mattresses, easy chairs, and couches.Curbside items should be approached with extreme caution.
Step 8: Try thrift stores.
They are associated with a charity.Money spent on cheap goods goes towards helping the charity.As their supply changes daily to weekly, check back often.You can pick up pots, pans, bowls and utensils for $1 or less.Also keep an eye on church sales.These sales are great for older churchgoers who want to sell their great items for a good price.
Step 9: Dollar stores are in your neighborhood.
These are a great place to buy cleaning products.Pick up your toilet brushes here.You don't want to use those items.Dollar stores are a good place to buy picture frames.Inexpensive decorations can be made from photographs.Dollar stores are great for a lot of household items, such as soap dishes, oven mitts, and whiteboards.
Step 10: There are local yard sales.
The thrifty young adult can often find great resources at yard sales.The weekends tend to start early and end around 3 p.m.Ask the person running the yard sale for items you are specifically looking for, as they may be hidden or the seller might suddenly remember there is one that can be sold.You should wait if the items can be found cheaper elsewhere.There are people who price garage sale items too high.Try again in the afternoon when the prices may go down.It's a good idea to quietly speak with the yard sale host.Explain that you are going to college and trying to find things.If they don't sell by the end of the day, give them your number and tell them you would be happy to take items off their hands.Most people would rather give items to a student than throw them out.
Step 11: You can check the auction listings.
Sometimes people forget to pay the storage bill when they put their unused items in storage.The items are put up for sale.You may be able to get a few bucks for it.Most people try to get their hands on the treasures at auctions, so the basics can be picked up cheap.
Step 12: You should check with your local antique shops.
Antique stores don't always have fancy old items.Antique stores often sell items at a lower price than new furniture.Although the term is "antique store", these stores often happily sell what is actually vintage and sometimes not even that old.They will sell whatever they think they can make a profit on.They have a lot of decorative items.You can often get a discount if you bargain with them.
Step 13: You can visit the surplus store at your university.
Office furniture, lamps, tools, and other items can be found at reasonable prices.
Step 14: You can visit the loan closet at your university.
You can get stuff for free if you agree to return it and bring more, as long as you don't need it anymore.International students, students of a certain department or school, and students who come from an extremely impoverished background are some of the people who may not have access to loan closets.It never hurts to ask.
Step 15: If you want something to look more your style, apply funky finishes.
You can buy Slipcovers at discount stores or use sheets in a pinch.Have fun with it.
Step 16: Pack breakable objects with care.
You don't want to end up at school with a bunch of broken dishes.The boxes should be labeled.
Step 17: If you are still at home, you should shop for food.
It works if you are driving to school and not flying cross-country.Stock up on canned items like soups, powdered drink mixes, tuna and ravioli, boxed mixes and items that won't crush or go bad.Cans of peanuts, cooking spray, coffee creamer, salt, pepper, mustard, condiments, sugar, and non-dairy powder are included.Ask before taking!Sending off a college student with food is fine with parents.Some parents will insist.This shouldn't be a surprise.You can't just take another person's food without asking.Before you leave for your new home, do not open anything that requires refrigeration.mayonnaise and salad dressings are safe at room temperature until opened.Add a few items to the weekly grocery list by talking to your parents.You can have a good supply of food if you start early.Ask your parents to take you to the local discount shopping club to pick up some food in bulk.Salt and pepper are plentiful at your parent's house.Spices are expensive and you won't be able to get them quickly so ask your family to borrow from their supplies.