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A study in comfort
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PHOTO COURTESY BED BATH & BEYOND
Dots by Roxy adds splashes of color to any bedroom.
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PHOTO COURTESY KOHLS
It's a desk lamp. It's a desk organizer. Actually, it's both, saving space and providing much-needed light.
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PHOTO COURTESY TARGET
Keep your food cool and stay on top of things with mini fridge with a dry erase door from Emerson. It retails for $89 and is also available in black.
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PHOTO COURTESY FRESH WAVE
Make your bedroom or dorm room smell fresh and clean with the Stinky Dorm Kit, which comes complete with eco-friendly and ultra-effective solutions that eliminate lingering odors. The kit, which sells for $19.99, contains an 8-ounce spray and 16-ounce gel, both of which are biodegradable and nontoxic. Using extracts of lime, pine needle, aniseed, clover and cedar wood, the spray and gel absorb stinky odor molecules and eliminate the smells. Visit fresh-wave.com for details.
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PHOTO COURTESY KOHLS
A folding Butterfly chair makes a great addition to any room since it can be easily put away when you need a bit of extra space.
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PHOTO COURTESY TUESDAY MORNING
A lined hamper and matching storage baskets help keep clutter corralled while adding some style.
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PHOTO COURTESY CURTAINWORKS.COM
These Austin blackout curtains are available in a rich chocolate color.
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PHOTO COURTESY KOHLS
For those who use a laptop but prefer a full-sized keyboard, try this Spi roll-up keyboard. It's also dust and moisture proof.
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HOME EDITOR
Whether you have already headed back to class or are getting ready for school to start, there's still time to get your room ready to hit the books in style.
Plus, you get the added advantage of finding many of these items on sale. And we all know that outfitting yourself and your room for the next school year can get expensive.
Proper planning prevents many unnecessary purchases and helps keep you focused on the task at hand, said Ross Manning, senior vice president and senior marketing officer for Tuesday Morning as well as a father who put two daughters through college.
Manning said being organized and having a list are key.
"As a parent, many of the things that a young person would perceive to be important aren't necessarily the things, practicality wise, that are important."
He said dorm room essentials include a couple of sets of sheets, a couple of pillows and a comforter. Manning also suggests getting a few bath sheets, which can double as beach/pool towels.
The experts at Bed Bath & Beyond suggest starting with bedding because it takes up the most amount of room and is the focal part of the bedroom. It also can create a colorful space that reflects your personality -- especially if you can't paint the room or hang pictures.
Then, complete the room with curtains and window treatments. Darkening shades can help you rest better and sheers can maximize daylight hours to feel energized.
Along the way, you'll also need to pick up a few items to keep your small space organized.
"Having the right storage items is really crucial," said Manning.
Storage bins for electronic items and laptops are a help, as are smaller stackable bins and boxes for clothing, sports supplies, additional toiletries and personal items.
"Many dorm room beds are low to the ground so there is no storage underneath. Yet, that is a prime opportunity to get storage space without taking space from the room," Manning said. "Bed risers are very important and very practical. They raise the bed enough for storage underneath, then your storage containers are all that more important."
Another challenge is to take a basic space and give it some personality.
"One of the challenges students face with dorm living is making the space their own. Students can personalize dorms with fashionable bedding sets in fresh, colorful patterns for girls and simple plaids and colorblock styles for guys," said Lynette Cvikota, vice president of design for Kohl's Department Stores. "Achieve individual style in any dorm room by mixing and matching contemporary dorm furnishings, such as bold, solid décor, like the Student Lounge organizer desk lamp and butterfly chair, as well as patterned storage items."
To make the move smoother and eliminate the stress of trying find things, Manning suggests that you pack the way you would expect to unpack. For example, make sure all the linens or items for a chest are together.
"This way you won't have things sitting or the floor or set aside while you're trying to put everything away."
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