It’s almost back to school time! For those of you heading to college – or have kids doing so – it’s time to start stocking up on the items that can transform a dorm room or college apartment into a space that feels like a home.
Fortunately, your local ReStore has just about everything you need for your back to school furniture and décor shopping, all at great prices. Check out all the great things you should look for during your next trip to Habitat ReStore below, as well as some DIY decorating tips that are fun and easy to create with items you may find.
1. Furniture
Filling your living space with places to sit, sleep and eat is one of the biggest challenges – and expenses – of living away at college. Habitat ReStore is here to help.
Whether you need a sofa, kitchen table, bed frame, dresser or all of the above, you’ll find a slew of gently used furniture options at both our Charleston and Teays Valley ReStore locations. Check back often to find exactly what you need.
2. Kitchen Appliances
In addition to the obvious necessities like utensils, cups and plates, you also may need many other kitchen accessories like a blender, toaster oven and the all-important coffee maker (for late night study sessions). Though these items seem like relatively small purchases, they can add up quickly. The Charleston ReStore carries a variety of kitchen gadgets at great prices!
3. Lighting
Many dorms are equipped with fluorescent lighting, which can prove harsh on the eyes. Pick up a lamp or two from either location to reduce this harshness and provide your dorm room with a warm glow.
4. Washer and Dryer
If you’re living in an apartment without laundry facilities, you may need a washer and dryer. While this would ordinarily represent a large expense, check to see if the Charleston ReStore has a gently used washing machine and dryer that will save you trips to the laundromat.
5. Storage
Dorm rooms and college apartments aren’t typically known for providing an abundance of space. The wide variety of items at Habitat ReStore give you a chance to creatively make great use of the space you do have available.
For examples and inspiration, check out this article on hacks that will help you get more space out of a small closet. Materials used for the hacks you may find at Habitat ReStore (that you may not immediately think you need for your college dorm room) include pipes, scraps of wood, chains and hooks.
6. Art and Other Decorations
Blank walls provide a great opportunity to turn a generic dorm room or apartment into a space that is uniquely yours. However, purchasing artwork can quickly become expensive. Our ReStores have a large variety of art at great prices. You can even turn some finds into your own art projects to produce your own unique work.
For an example of how you can transform an old painting into something new and unique, take a look at number six on this list of creative DIY ideas and decorating tips for dorms.
7. Materials for DIY Projects
Speaking of creating your own projects, sometimes the best ways to furnish and decorate your new living quarters are by making something altogether new.
The possibilities for this one are nearly endless. See this HGTV article featuring 40 DIY dorm room ideas for inspiration. These ideas use a wide variety of materials you may be able to find at Habitat ReStore, including room dividers, wooden crates, book ends, rope, trunks and brass fittings.
