Every fall, college students flock to dormitories across the country, overloaded with furniture that is too big, too fancy or too flimsy to stand up to the rigors of dorm life. Dorm furniture will form the framework of a student's university living experience; a dorm room is a home away from home, and the center of college life. Comfortable, appropriate furniture will ensure maximum comfort and productivity.
The Facts
Even in the most expensive universities, dorm rooms are small. Students generally share a dorm room with one or more roommates, which means double the amount of furniture. Most dormitories provide a bed, a desk, and a desk chair for each resident, leaving it up to the student to bring any additional furniture and appliances: comfortable chairs, sofas, refrigerators, microwaves, bean bags.
Risk Factors
The nature of college life itself presents a risk to dorm room furniture. Heavy use, improper cleaning, drunken dorm mates and a variety of other factors shorten the life of dorm furniture. College students, often not used to taking care of their belongings, are more inclined to be careless with their furniture. The new atmosphere and sudden freedom also tend to increase impulsive and destructive behavior, presenting further risk to dorm furniture.
Features
The best dorm furniture is compact and sturdy, able to fit in small spaces and withstand heavy use. Furniture provided by the dorms is generally utilitarian and designed to fit the designated room. Most large department stores increase their stock of dorm furniture around the end of the summer and offer options for additional pieces. Inexpensive, strong options are available for coffee tables, chairs, shelves and other storage units. Students might also consider purchasing furniture that stores easily, such as folding "butterfly" chairs.
Size
Dorm furniture is sized specifically to fit in small spaces. Beds are twin and require extra-long sheets. Desks will be individually sized but are usually a standard size. Because dorm rooms do not have an excess of closet space, furniture should be compact and offer storage to increase its functionality.
Expert Insight
As any college student will attest, the key to a comfortable dorm furniture experience is economy. When possible, hold off on purchasing dorm furniture until the student has communicated or met her new roommate. If both roommates bring a television, microwave and couch, move-in day will be an unpleasant experience. To better utilize available space, each roommate should be responsible for specific items to prevent duplication. The exception is storage and chairs, as each roommate will want to have her own in a dorm room.
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