Summertime Is Almost Over | Slipcovers for Your Walls

Summertime is almost over. We’ve got 6 more weeks until it’s over and three more weeks until Labor Day. Remember when that was the last week for a vacation before school started? Public schools opened this week. Pretty soon parents will be sending their “how did they get to be this old” children off to four years of high maintenance and hopefully passing grades. The average cost/year for college ranges from $21,000 to $42,000. So, you’ve really got to be frugal and spend your dollars wisely when trying to personalize that generic dorm room, but listen up, students; it’s a lot easier shopping now than when I sent my children off to college.

Two articles in the Times Picayune; one by Stephanie Hepburn and the other by Jura Koncius offer excellent suggestions. Be sure you don’t over buy and over stock. Follow the housing office’s Facebook page or Twitter feed for tips and information. Target’s uStyler lets students design their own virtual dorm room online and then share it with roommates through Facebook. Most rooms come with the standard bed, desk, chair and dresser. If you can remove the chair (ask before purchasing) replacing it with a more comfortable chair is a good investment because you’ll spend a lot of time sitting on it. The Bungee Office Chair for $139 from the Container Store is a good choice since the straps are supportive, a pneumatic lift makes it adjustable and it comes in colors! An additional $10 will get you one with arms.

Bungee Office Chair_casartblog — Bungee Office Chair-The Container Store

For extra storage, consider either something that will fit under the bed or lightweight portable chests. These 3B Z drawer carts have lockable wheels, swivel casters and a hard surface top, come in two sizes and two colors and are available at Bed, Bath and Beyond for $39.99 and $49.99.

Studio 3B Z chests_casartblog — Studio 3B Z chests from Bed, Bath and Beyond

For girls, the comforter is probably the most important purchase and you’ll spend a lot of time lounging on it, so pick something you love and that is “you”. Try Bed, Bath and Beyond for some nice comforter sets for around $150. Coordinating sheet sets are $80.

Orla Kiely Stern comforter set-Bed_casartblog — Orla Kiely Stern comforter set-Bed, Bath and Beyond

Now that we’ve covered the big stuff (notice I went for bright and pink), don’t forget some of the small essentials. This neat rubber coated charging station with storage dish has an opening in the base which allows you to plug your device into its charger and use the tray for keys & pocket change and it’s on sale for $4 at Umbra!

charging station and organizer_casartblog — charging station and organizer

Desk lamp-there are many styles available at reasonable prices so don’t just select plain old vanilla.

Wastebasket-again, an inexpensive item where your style can shine.

A shower tote is an absolute essential. Be sure to select one that’s big enough to hold everything, is flexible, waterproof and allows for drainage. This one at Bed, Bath and Beyond sells for $12.99.

Rubber mesh shower tote_casartblog — Rubber mesh shower tote

Last but not least, the walls. Well, what CAN you do about personalizing a dorm room wall? You could put up hooks for pictures, purses, costume jewelry, belts but be sure to use hooks that won’t damage the wall and will be easy to remove.

Here are several additional ideas for the wall.

I think these Vain Frames are a fun way to display your pictures. They are peel and stick and won’t damage your walls.