<p>So, what drives you most when trying to find things to buy for your dorm room? Do you have a vision of what you think everything has to look like and you're trying to match that vision despite what it might cost? Are you just going for whatever is cheapest? Are you trying to maximize your space by buying functional and multipurpose everything?</p>
<p>Hey!</p>
<p>I’m trying to make my dorm room represent what I like, but also remain on a pretty tight budget. I’m trying to be practical about it, but I’m not sacrificing what I want. I think maximizing space is important, so I have a lot of organizational bins and things that are also the colors that I like. </p>
<p>So I’m trying, and my mom is helping me, to look for sales and really only bring what I need. I’ve consulted a few “what to bring to college” type lists and I made myself a master packing list of things that I think I need. </p>
<p>I’m clipping out pictures from magazines to hang on the walls because I like the way that looks. I also have a bunch of old 45s and was thinking of hanging them on the wall. This is my way of making my dorm room more personal to me, but also staying on budget. </p>
<p>So basically I do have a vision, but I was practical about it in the first place. Dorm sales at stores like Target and Walmart are my best friend, but I won’t always get the cheapest option. And functionality is pretty important to me, but I don’t want to give up style. </p>
<p>What about you? Have you started shopping?</p>
<p>I only have 17 items left to buy (excluding food items). Of those, 8 are toiletries. With my estimated costs, it’s just under $200 for all of it. So I’m almost done shopping. I’m mainly cost driven but I do have an idea of the colors I want and I’m trying to buy within my color scheme (pink, blue, and purple). My roommate is decorating our room for the most part so I’m not like buying decorations. In fact, the only decorative thing I have is my dreamcatcher so far. I’ve pretty much been buying things when I find them cheap no matter how much my mom protests. And my mom yells that I shouldn’t buy things and I have to tell her to shush. It’s my money.</p>
<p>I go for cute and functional. I’ve made a “master list” just like lovesanatomy an have detailed sketches of all sections of my room. The sketches have lists of everything that will be in that area. It’s made me realize I have a crap load of stuff. I won’t have decorations that are just decorations. I have a large “antique” picture frame with hooks that will double as a ring and necklace holder. I have a couple other picture frames that have been made into a chalk and bulletin board. I really need functionality. </p>
<p>I’ll start really decorating once I’m settled in. For right now, I need to make sure I have places to put things! XD</p>
<p>I think we’ve surpassed $200.i have two big ticket items: a standing shelf and a rolling trunk. These items, though on the pricey side, are necessary and add storage space.</p>
<p>I’m just buying what should be needed as cheaply as possible.</p>
<p>One item that this board recommended was the Samsonite Tote A Ton, which is basically a very tough nylon duffel bag that collapses into nothing and weighs nothing DD finds it extremely helpful for packing and unpacking every year, especially because she moves her stuff into storage as she is onthe other coast. Especially great for bulky bedding.</p>
<p>Laundry soap (HE)
Air freshener
Flashlight
Light bulbs
Pillowcases
Notebooks
Paper
Purse
Body wash
Conditioner
Deodorant
Hair dye
Lotion
Razor/Shaving Cream
Shampoo
Toothbrush/Paste
Baseball Cap</p>
<p>Unless I’m assigned more things from the list of stuff we have to have for the bathroom (I already got us a toilet brush, broom, and dustpan and I might go back and get a plunger), that’s all I need to get.</p>
<p>I’m not starting college this fall, but when I do, I plan on finding cute things on a budget. There’s nothing more satisfying than getting a good deal on cute stuff! I have a vision of what I want my future dorm to look like and I think I’m going to try to stick to that.</p>
<p>@shoot4moon Thank you for the recommendation! I’m going to look into getting it! I previously had a large nylon duffle bag, but the zipper broke. I guess I stuffed too much in it! 
That’ll be a great replacement.</p>
<p>@Shoot4moon: That bag looks glorious! I really needed something to haul large amounts of clothing. Wish it had a shoulder strap, but I will probably go out and buy one tonight/ tomorrow!</p>