Calling all parents! This time of year, one certainty can be counted upon each year like clockwork — back-to-school. Whether you’ve got kids in pre-K, elementary, middle, high school or college, this reality is inevitable.
Towards the end of each summer, our showrooms are flooded by customers looking for back to school furniture solutions for all grades and ages. However, many of these shoppers are parents specifically looking for affordable furniture or mattresses for their college students and teenage kids. We all know that back-to-school is already a stressful time as it is. Especially if you’ve got college-age kids to move! Why make it any harder than it has to be?
Whether you need to furnish your kid’s dorm room, their first apartment, or your teenager just needs some extra workspace in their bedroom for classes this fall, we want to make your back-to-school season a breeze. That’s exactly why we’re highlighting some of our favorite pieces for college kids, teens and young adults!
But First, A Few Ground Rules
Obviously, dorms and student apartments are generally tight on space. Your kid’s new living space isn’t really the realm of large sectionals, king-size beds, or grandiose dining tables. That’s why you’ll want to specifically look for pieces that are more streamlined, efficient, and have a smaller footprint.
Additionally, most shoppers furnishing their child’s dorm or first apartment aren’t necessarily looking for heirloom quality furniture that will last decades and decades. This furniture is likely going to be transitional in nature – something they will use for a few years but may want to replace once they venture out on their own. As a result, it helps to focus on entry-level to mid-grade furniture options.
Lastly, it’s important to keep in mind that there’s likely going to be a lot of moving involved. It’s quite possible that you’ll be moving this furniture in and out of dorms and apartments for the next 4 years or more. This makes the furniture’s weight, ease of assembly, and ease of transport a consideration too.
[Editor’s Note: For more relevant tips, we suggest checking out our previous article on decorating small spaces. Be sure to give it a quick read as it definitely applies to furnishing and decorating dorm rooms and small apartments!]
Our Favorite Back-to-School Furniture for Dorms & College Apartments
Our Picks for Bedroom
Taking all this into consideration, one of our go-to tips for dorms and small bedrooms is to go with just a headboard and no-frills standard bed frame. When space really matters, hefty footboards and side rails take up precious real estate. If you go this route, you'll likely want to stick with a Twin, Twin XL, or Full size at the very largest. As a bonus, this also means less hassle on moving day! Another alternative worth considering is a storage bed with functional underbed drawers.
In most cases if your college student is living in campus housing, you’ll likely also want a chest rather than a dresser to round out their bedroom without taking up too much space. This is because chests are taller and narrower than dressers and use your limited space much more efficiently. Anywhere possible, look for vertically arranged dorm furniture and storage solutions to make the most of that valuable floor space.
Whether looking at just a headboard, or affordable bedroom sets with storage bed options, the Lawroy Bedroom from Benchcraft and the Hyanna, Cambeck or Drystan Bedroom collection from Signature Design by Ashley, are all great places to start for dorms or first-time apartments. For a simple neutral mid-century modern look, we also love the Westland Almond Bedroom from Elements International.
Finally, it’s no secret that dorm mattresses aren’t exactly the most comfortable. If it’s an option at your student’s college or university, you may want to consider bringing your own mattress. For comfy mattresses that won’t break the bank, we have a full lineup of innerspring, hybrid and memory foam options from Sierra Sleep by Ashley. Is it super important to you to be able to easily transport your child’s new mattress on moving day? Alternatively, a quality mattress-in-a-box like a Nectar mattress may be right up your alley – just unbox it when you get there!
Our Picks for the Living & Study Space
If your new dorm space has a common area or living room, we already know that large sectional sofas are out. However, a smaller sofa, loveseat, or armchair might be a great fit for a small living area.
Well, have you seen the Bixler Collection from Ashley? Available in either navy blue or olive green, this mid-century modern inspired collection has plenty of straight lines that will help you make the most of your space. Choose from any combination of sofa, loveseat, accent chair, or corner sofa chaise. If transitional style and neutral colors are more your thing, Ashley’s Abinger Collection is another great option, with its beige or gray armchairs, compact sofas, loveseats, and even sleeper sofas.
Perhaps most important of all, we can’t forget about the desks! If your dorm or college apartment doesn’t come furnished with a desk already, we recommend something simple, affordable and streamlined. Take the Baldridge Rustic Brown Desk from Ashley, for instance. With canted legs, a pair of drawers and a casual, distressed look, this writer’s desk is a functional piece without unnecessary frills.
Another option we love is the Jesse White Desk w/ Hutch from Elements International, although it is also available without the hutch, and in gray. While smaller than the Baldridge desk above, the Jesse desk with hutch certainly doesn’t skimp on storage space with three drawers, multiple shelves and cubbies, and cutouts for cord management, making it perfect for a small dorm or student apartment.
Woodstock Furniture & Mattress Outlet is North Georgia’s Source for Back-to-School Furniture
Now that you have our essential tips and a few back-to-school furniture recommendations, the choice is up to you! Remember, everything we discussed today is just the tip of the iceberg.
Come by any of our North Georgia furniture showrooms to see our full lineup, including a number of affordable pieces perfect for teenage bedrooms and/or dorm living. Whether your little one is finally ready for a real desk, or if your “little one” isn’t so little anymore and is moving away to school, we have exactly what you’re looking for! Hope to see you soon!
