Dorm Desk Hutch

http://www.dormsmart.com/University-Loft-Graduate-Series-Desk-Hutch-Wild-Cherry-Finish.html

Daughter sent me a picture of her 40" wide dorm desk piled up with books and a large inkjet printer / flatbed scanner, except just enough space for study. I found the above hutch exact size for her desk. Top left shelf is wider to accommodate her printer better. It’s expensive solid wood furniture, but couldn’t find one like it with cheap MDF.

Daughter says she is fine and doesn’t need it. So I am holding the idea for now. But I am curious how others do to maximize the desktop space?

Two thoughts:

  • 2 of the 3 BS our kids have attended have had a similar hutch as part of supplied furniture...so I can see the benefit. However, IMO that's just another thing you have to pack/find a home for during the summer
  • But more importantly, I would question need for printer/scanner (which I'd assume is what might be taking up the most space on desk). In our experience, students could use one of the school printers to print anything they needed. For scanning purposes, there are a few fairly good scanning apps available for smart phones these day. While I'm sure it's convenient for your daughter, I bet she could live without it. I'm sure there are many boarders at her school who do not have a printer. Additionally...get rid of the printer and you have one less thing to pack/find a home for during the summer.

You are probably right. Maybe she can bring it back to home and switch to a lightweight portable one that she can easily store under the bed to be only used when necessary. It has already saved her from stressful mornings by avoiding printing during tiny window between library open and 1st period, so I would rather let her keep one. For now she piled lots of books on the printer. Fortunately the top is very flat unless its ADF cover is opened.

Oh something just came up to my mind. A custom built easily assembled/unassembled lightweight pine hutch that won’t take too much space on her travel bag… hmm.

DS has a folding bookcase which holds his books and his printer, and a few other items. This is usually able to go next to his desk. He was mixed on bringing a printer this year, because he emails a lot of documents directly to his teachers and/or prints in the library. However, he has a single and plenty of space and we drive to school.

My kids’ experience:

Each student had a bookshelf provided by the school. and that’s where books went.

Didn’t need a printer. Most dorms had them. Library definitely had them. Many assignments were submitted electronically rather than in hard copy form.

“Many assignments were submitted electronically rather than in hard copy form.”

My kids’ general experience as well. I know there is something to be said about proofing a hard copy, but I think schools are moving away from hard copy submissions.

FWIW, if you don’t need a scanner, I suggest the HP LaserJet P1102w. Wireless b/w laser printer. I am not a huge fan of inkjets…

Like the others, I’m surprised the school doesn’t provide that as part of the desk. You could also have her build/buy inexpensive shelves to place next to the desk, rather than mount a heavy solid wood hutch on top. He also rarely uses the printer that roommate brought; if they have to print something - and that is rare, as they use dropboxes and the school’s online network to submit electronically - he uses the ones in the common room or library.

That thing is $400. Order her a couple of milk crates at $10 each. Put the printer on top and the books inside. My son has never seen the need for a printer, but my daughter bought herself one and thus, I assume, uses it for something.

Wireless printers don’t work at DS school.

Easy, I have nothing on my desk other than my laptop, the books that I am currently using, and a desklanp. As I enter my second year of college, coming from 4 years of BS, I have always been able to get by with whatever bookcase/selves are provided by the school. Additionally, I have never used my own printer; I’ve always managed with the school’s printers. As others have said, most papers are either emailed are submitted to a dropbox. I assume the scanner is related to your D’s art. Personally, I’ve rarely had to scan anything, but when I did, again, I used the school’s.

Additionally, the challenge with bulky furniture is that what goes in in September has to come out in June.

@MA2012: Also has USB hookup. I’m a writer by trade and like this printer (which replaced another HP that had one about 10 years of hard time) due to wireless capabilities (which truth be told can be finicky), USB option, AND relatively small footprint when all trays are retracted.

@SculptorDad Just my 2 cents, but if DD says she doesn’t need it, I wouldn’t bother. My daughter doesn’t use her desk to study at all. She uses her laptop on her bed or studies with friends in dorm common room, library or an empty classroom. You can always assess her desk and printer needs in person during Parent’s weekend if you will be visiting then. If you really want to send her something, snacks are always welcome!

Thanks for the helps!

We got something on Amazon for $28–MyGift Adjustable Natural Wood Desktop Storage Organizer Display Shelf Rack, Counter Top Bookcase. It’s smaller but can be arranged in different ways–right angle, pushed together, spread apart. I put it together in about 10 minutes. The thing you’ve attached seems to be of the same quality and durability of what the schools themselves are providing, so pretty much overkill in my opinion.

I got this shelf system https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000LRGV3W/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 which my DD is using two cubes for storage and the extras were zip-tied together for a mood board where she can clip pictures, etc https://www.pinterest.com/search/pins/?q=wire%20mesh%20mood%20board&rs=typed&term_meta=wire%7Ctyped&term_meta=mesh%7Ctyped&term_meta=mood%7Ctyped&term_meta=board%7Ctyped

The cubes hold her clock (I think still) but could easily hold a printer. It was crazy busy that morning and I was a numskull while putting it together (Mr.Wendal can testify!) but it can be set up and taken down pretty easily. I have lots of extra sections too!