Gearing Up for Boarding School: Fun Essentials for a Dorm Room!
I know, I know! It’s only June, so why am I suggesting you and your student start shopping for their dorm room now? First, let’s keep the fun and excitement going! Preparing your child for boarding school is both thrilling and challenging, and I'm all about creating a calm and organized approach. From packing essentials to decorating their dorm room, there are countless details to consider. To make the process smoother and ensure your child feels comfortable and organized as fall approaches, here are some essential items and tips to guide you through their shopping journey. Plus, things sell out quickly, so it's best to be the early bird who gets the worm!
Safety and Comfort
1. Pool Noodles for Bunk Beds: One ingenious hack is using pool noodles to cover the beams under the bunk bed. This simple trick prevents your child from accidentally hitting their head and adds a touch of safety and comfort. You and your child will thank me later!
2. Flip Flops or Slides: Essential for trips to and from the shower, flip flops or slides are a must-have to keep your student’s feet clean and safe in communal bathrooms. Check out iSlides for customized slides that have tons of school themed options. Or check out Oofa slides and your kiddo will be walking on a cushion! You can’t go wrong with either!
Organization and Storage
3. Hanging Laundry Bags: Keeping dirty laundry organized is crucial. Hanging laundry bags are perfect for saving floor space and ensuring dirty clothes are out of sight. You can keep it simple or dress one up with a custom monogram! These make great gifts too!
4. Ottomans with Storage: These multi-functional pieces are perfect for seating and storage. Ottomans with storage compartments can hold anything from extra bedding to books and supplies to loads of shoes or even hidden snack food!
5. Over-the-Door Hangers: Maximize space by using over-the-door hangers for towels, coats, and bags. These are especially useful in small dorm rooms where space is at a premium.
6. Side Bed Caddy: For students in bunk beds or lofted beds, a side bed caddy is essential. It keeps items like phones, books, and glasses within reach, making bedtime more convenient. My younger son received one as a high school graduation gift and he can’t live without it in his dorm room!
Lighting and Accessibility
7. Puck Light: Proper lighting is essential; and so is reading in bed to relax and fall asleep! A puck light provides lighting near the bed without disturbing roommates, as you can turn them off without having to get out of bed! Colored lights are all the rage with kids so go for a RGBW puck light or keep it simple with a white-only one.
8. Cord Clips: Keep chargers and cords organized and accessible with cord clips. These handy tools prevent the frustration of charging cables falling beneath their bed. Check out all the fun colors available through the Container Store too!
Comfort and Personal Touches
9. A Favorite Blanket (e.g., Chappy Wrap): A cozy, familiar blanket like a Chappy Wrap blanket can make a dorm room feel more like home. It adds warmth and a personal touch to the new environment. My kids LOVE Chappy Wraps and I suspect your kids will too!
10. Plush Throw Pillows: Adding a few plush throw pillows to your child’s dorm room can enhance both comfort and style. These pillows are perfect for extra cushioning while sitting on the bed or for adding a cozy touch to a study nook. Right now Squishmallow pillows are all the rage but have you seen the Personalized Pet Pillow, custom made to look like your child’s favorite pet?
Keepsakes to Keep Home Close By
11. Custom Made Photo Calendars: A custom made photo calendar is a wonderful way to bring a touch of home to your child’s dorm room. Each month can feature a different photo of family, friends, or favorite places, offering cherished memories. Not only does it help keep track of important dates and deadlines, you can personalize it with important dates for your student’s school, such as Parents Weekend, Thanksgiving Break, Mid-term Breaks and the like!
12. Framed Pictures: Framed pictures are classic keepsakes that can make any dorm room feel more like home. Whether it’s a family portrait, snapshots of friends, or scenic photos from favorite vacation spots, having these visual reminders around can provide comfort and a sense of belonging. Encourage your child to bring a few frames to place on their desk, bedside table, or wall shelves, creating a small gallery of memories that keep loved ones close. Some of my favorite sites for custom framing are HappyTiles, Framebridge and Mixtiles!
By incorporating these items into your shopping list, you'll ensure your child’s dorm room is safe, organized, and feeling cozy and fun! Happy shopping, and here’s to a fantastic boarding school experience!