We all know college is expensive. Tuition and textbooks come first, and there may not be much left for decorating your dorm room. But that doesn’t mean you have to be stuck with a boring cinderblock room! Habitat for Humanity ReStore has got your back with a 30% discount for students and teachers through August 24th.
You can find new and gently used furniture, appliances, décor, and more for a fraction of retail prices at ReStore Oakland, Concord, and San Jose! Plus, shopping secondhand is not just a smart choice for your wallet, but a sustainable choice for the planet. We’ve pulled together our top tips for creating the perfect dorm room for studying and socializing with your local ReStore!
Take Care of the Basics
Dorm rooms are notoriously small. To make the most of your space, focus on must-have features first, like adding storage, improving your workspace, and making it easy to grab a quick meal!
ReStore is a great place to hunt for extra shelves, table and floor lamps, and even desk organizers. If your dorm comes with a bookshelf or dresser, you can always think vertically and stack more shelves on top without damaging your walls. You can also find appliances like microwaves and minifridges at ReStore, plus fans or air purifiers if your dorm lacks AC!
Make It Comfortable
Have a little space left over? Adding a few small pieces of furniture can create a cozy lounge vibe with extra seating. You can always find a wide variety of chairs, accent tables, loveseats, and sofas at ReStore! Be on the lookout for a bench or ottoman with extra storage inside if you’ve got a cramped room. ReStore often receives donations from hotels undergoing renovation, so be sure to check our listings to snag gently used pieces that are perfect for smaller spaces!
We love secondhand treasures, but did you know you can also find brand new sheet sets and memory foam mattress toppers at ReStore? Thanks to donations from our generous corporate partners like Mellow, you can transform a stiff plastic dorm mattress into a cozy nap nest for less!
Add Some Personality
To make your dorm feel a little more like home, pick out a few simple touches to fill up the room without taking up too much valuable space. Find area rugs, photo frames, and wall art at ReStore to bring in color, patterns, or maybe even some vintage flair.
Decorating your walls can be tough when you’re not allowed to paint or drill holes, so look for art prints or tapestries that can be hung with dorm-friendly Command strips or sticky tack. Don’t forget a mirror to make your room seem bigger and for picking out outfits for class!
DIY it!
ReStore carries a wide range of low-cost building materials, like painting supplies, hardware, wine crates, and lumber. If you’re a crafty type, get inspired with these DIY dorm décor projects:
- Simple Upholstered Headboard (Dorsey Designs)
- DIY Pegboard Projects (Better Homes & Gardens)
- Pallet Wood Laptop Riser (Instructables)
- DIY Tile Projects
Start your semester with a space you’re proud to call your own. By shopping at ReStore, you can feel good about decorating your dorm with affordable and sustainable pieces that will last until senior year. And when it’s finally time to move out, you can donate any unwanted furniture to ReStore to keep the reuse economy going! ReStore will even pick up your donations for free.
Click here to find your closest ReStore!
Anything else you want to know about decorating your dorm with ReStore? We’d love to hear from you in the comments. If you have photos of your dorm room featuring a ReStore find, be sure to tag us using #HabitatEBSVReStore and #ShopReStoreFirst!