The college living room shopping checklist is designed to help students and parents save time and money. Our team of current and former students went shopping for you and compiled a list of quality products at affordable prices. Every item covered in our guide also features a need vs. want rating score and in-depth commentary, which help students and parents decide what living room related items to bring with them to college.
Dorm rooms usually have basic tile or even concrete floors, making the floor cold and leaving the room looking bare. Most students end up bringing an area rug to spruce up their living environment. The square footage of your dorm room will determine what size rug you should bring, so double check with your college before making a purchase. Since rugs involve shared space, you’ll need to contact your roommate to determine what to bring. Sizing options include small (3 ’x 5’ = 15 sq. ft), medium (5’ x 8’ = 40 sq. ft), large (6’ x 9’=54 sq. ft), and extra-large (9’ x 12’ = 108 sq. ft).
If you’re looking to get a rug for your bed area, the most popular choice of students is the medium 5’ x 8’. For more extensive floor coverage, we’ve noticed the 6’ x 9’ or 9’ x 12’ is frequently shared by roommates. Considering the messy nature of dorm rooms and the likelihood of spills and stains, we recommend you avoid bringing anything expensive. A cheap rug or carpet that you won’t feel bad about throwing out at the end of the year is the smarter choice. Finding dirt cheap rugs is super easy and for those on a tight college budget, thrift stores such as Goodwill and The Salvation Army often have a wide variety of different styles and sizes. If transporting your rug to college is a problem, you always have the option of using an in-store pick up option from a retailer near your school.
Dorm rooms usually don’t have enough power outlets for all the electronic devices used between roommates. A surge protector allows better access to available outlets and protects your electronic devices from short-circuiting. A standard 6 ft surge protector with 6 outlets is perfect for most students. If you can find one that offers USB ports that would be even better. Damage to your personal devices is unlikely, but you can always pick a brand that offers connected equipment warranty. Most colleges prevent the use of extension cords and basic power-strips, so double check before making a purchase.
An under appreciated but extremely useful item is an HDMI Cord, which allows you to transfer images between devices. Some students bring HDMI Cords to connect their laptop to larger monitors and tv’s to watch movies and play games. If you don’t plan on bringing a tv to college, most dorms have a common room area with a large tv and couches, so an HDMI Cord would allow you to stream your favorite shows and movies with friends.
College dorms are designed to provide students with basic necessities, which doesn’t include additional seating for friends and visitors. As a result, many students furnish their dorm room with a futon or bean bag chair. Make sure to consult with your specific university’s policy on furniture and view the floor plan in order to determine if you have the necessary space. You should also have a discussion with your roommates about splitting the cost.
Having a futon or bean bag chair is one of the best ways to socialize and make new friends in college dorms. Getting good grades is a top priority, but you’ll also find yourself with plenty of free time for hanging out. Students with additional seating for others usually have more lively dorm rooms in comparison to those with a basic setup. If space is an issue, a popular option is lifting your bed in order to place a futon underneath. Additionally, many students use futons as an extra place for friends or visitors to sleep.
Speakers should not be viewed as a necessity for your dorm room, but they’re great for students who enjoy music or plan on having friends over to hangout. You don’t need to break the bank on an expensive set of speakers, as a small portable or basic external speaker with bluetooth capabilities should be perfect for most students. One of the most popular options amongst college students is the Amazon Echo or Echo Dot, an affordable smart speaker that is compatible with Amazon Alexa. You could also get a small compact speaker like the Bose SoundLink II, which has bluetooth and great sound quality. Students who don’t care about portability and are looking for a higher sound output might consider learning more about the Logitech Z623 external speaker.
We previously mentioned that most dorms have a common room area equipped with a television, but the ability to watch your favorite shows and movies from your futon or bed is super convenient. Nothing extravagant is needed, just something between 26 to 42 inches. TV’s are a dime a dozen now a days which means you can snag a high quality television for cheap. A 1080p screen resolution should do the trick and popular brands include Sony, Samsung, LG, and Roku. You should contact your roommate to discuss whether you want to have a TV in your dorm room and the possibility of splitting the cost.
Students who don’t plan on bringing a TV can get away with streaming content on their laptop. If you’re interested in saving money and finding new things to watch, we’ve compiled a huge list of streaming services with discounts and free trials for college students.
Video Games, although unproductive, are an excellent way to relieve stress and socialize with friends. You’ll survive without a gaming console, but it’s definitely something you should consider bringing. The Xbox One and Playstation 4 are definitely the most popular gaming consoles amongst students. Along with being able to play games like Fortnite, Madden, and FIFA, you can stream Netflix and Youtube via your console. We’ve also noticed many students bring older systems such as the GameCube or Nintendo 64 in order to play popular classics.