From textbooks to tuition fees to other miscellaneous fees, the cost of going to school can be overwhelming for some, not to mention that renting a dorm is notoriously expensive nowadays.
If you are looking for ways to save money, buying some of your dorm room essentials from thrift stores can help. We’ve prepared a list of dorm room essentials and thrifting tips to help you lessen your expenses for schooling.
Dorm Room Essentials You Can Find in Thrift Stores
Some of the college dorm room essentials you can find in thrift stores are the following:
1. Desk and Chair
Dorm rooms wouldn’t be complete without desks and chairs. These essentials come in handy when you often pull an all-nighter to study for exams or finish school projects. The good news is that you don’t have to break the bank when buying such dorm essentials. Instead of going to department stores, head to the nearest thrift store to look for desks and chairs.
2. Dressers and Nightstands
When it comes to looking for dressers and nightstands, you can improvise all you want. Many thrift stores offer a wide variety of stools and small tables that you can turn into a stylish and functional nightstand. There are also cabinets and pantry organizers that you can use as a dresser. All you need is creativity to repurpose and transform them; you can also search the internet for cool ideas if you want.
3. Lamps
Whether you need one while doing schoolwork in the wee hours or for decorative purposes, lamps are a great addition to your dorm room. If you haven’t seen one yet, there are tons of video tutorials for DIY thrift store lamp makeovers proliferated on the internet. Lamps are always in stock in thrift stores, so don’t ever worry that you won’t find one.
4. Small Kitchen Appliances
Admit it or not, cafeteria food isn’t always the best thing to eat. The good news? You can prepare your own food using small kitchen appliances from thrift stores. Coffee makers, microwave ovens, toasters, rice cookers, and blenders are only some you’ll find in thrift stores. If you’re lucky enough, there are also mini-fridges for sale sometimes.
5. Tableware
Aside from appliances, you can also find tableware in thrift stores. These come in handy when you plan to save money by cooking your own food instead of buying it from cafes and restaurants. There’s a wide variety ranging from stainless steel to porcelain. Depending on your style and budget, there’s no doubt that you’ll find the best tableware for you.
6. Curtains
To control lighting and add style to your dorm room, buy curtains or other available window treatments from thrift stores. There are different styles and materials to choose from, so you can expect that there will be something to match your preferences without hurting your budget. With the right choice, you can set and elevate the vibe in your dorm room using curtains.
7. Planters
Did you know that having plants around helps people concentrate on what they’re doing? Many studies have proven that doing tasks under the calming influence of nature yields better results. So, if you are planning to get plants for your dorm room, you are doing the right thing. To make them look more homey and organized, search through the nearest thrift stores for planters instead of buying them from malls.
8. School Supplies
Most, if not all, thrift stores are filled with school supplies. There are secondhand pencil cups and paper trays to keep your dorm room organized and neat. Some of these items only need a bit of cleaning to look good as new.
Additionally, there are also new ones that you can use when decorating your dorm room, including the following:
- Pens, Pencils, and Erasers
- Bond Paper
- Staplers and Staple Wires
- Craft Supplies
- Tape Dispensers
- Paper Clips
- Scissors
How to Thrift for Dorm Room Essentials
If you’ve decided to look for your dorm essentials in thrift stores, here are some tips to make the most out of your money and thrifting experience:
Know Your Style
When thrifting for dorm essentials, you have to know the ambiance you want for your room. From colors to decor, you have to be organized by having one main idea. Make sure that you look for items that will help you set the vibe and aesthetic that are reflective of your personality and preferences.
Check New Stock Weekly
Usually, thrift stores restock their items every week. If you want to be the first to search through their stocks, make sure that you know the day they restock. By visiting weekly, you’ll find new items suitable for the ambiance you want for your dorm room. Don’t expect to get everything you’re looking for in just one visit.
Buy Smart
Just because you see affordable items doesn’t mean that you’ll buy them in bulk. Take what you need, and go back to get some more if needed. Who knows? There might be a price drop the next time you visit. Additionally, it’s okay to be picky sometimes — this is a part of buying smart. Focus on quality to make the most out of your money.
Use Your Creativity
You’ll never know the potential that thrift store items hold unless you use your creativity. Some items only need a bit of transformation to make them functional and stylish. You just have to be creative and imaginative. There’s always the internet to help you with endless ideas.
Visit Haven House Thrift Store
Haven House Thrift Store is the go-to provider of high-quality items in different areas of Florida. All our proceeds go to helping men recover from addiction. We have a thrift store in Santa Rosa Beach, FL, that you can visit. If you have any inquiries or questions, feel free to reach out to us. Contact us today!
