^ My daughter has the black and white elephant tapestry. And strands of white lights. Be sure to buy sticky clips that are easy to remove from the walls.
A headboard is bulky, heavy, and completely unnecessary. And I doubt a headboard would fit in the storage box my kid used to store her stuff over the summer. That’s why.
My kid’s closet was a wardrobe with doors much smaller than a house closet would have. A standard hanging shoe holder would not have fit. Before that she shared a single regular closet with her roommate. They could have put one such holder over the door, leaving room for 15 shoes per person. Do most dorms have closets one might find in an older house with a full size door and 3 ft bar, one closet for each kid? Most situations I’ve seen have not been that generous.
I would see a headboard as bulky. I just don’t know what dorm rooms you all have encountered that have a lot of space. I am used to just really small ones with very little storage and closet space. The only really “big” room either of my kids had was when S was an RA and had a double that was being used as a single. The single he had sophomore year - seriously the three of us could not stand in the room all at once and none of us are big people.
My kids used this over the door shoe holder to hold toiletries, electronics (cords, etc) and other supplies. Not shoes.
Many things are unnecessary, but we each have our own preferences in terms of wants. An upholstered headboard can also offer something comfortable to lean against if you work or read in bed. I see it as bulky to transport, but not really bulky in the room.
Many schools will provide you with some dorm and move in information so that you at least have some information in advance.
And remember too…if this is a double, another student could be moving in at the very same time. I’m trying to picture all of this stuff maybe times two…plus parents and students…in the room. That could be the bigger challenge!
@mathyone I don’t remember the OP stating that stuff would be stored over the summer at school. Maybe it will be, maybe not. Many people don’t store stuff because they live within driving distance.
A tapestry will appeal to a different type of student than the headboard look. If it fits in the car, no big whoop.
Seriously, it’s all about personal choices. Some people want to bring 30 pairs of shoes (!), some people want a head board, some people feel the need to bring a year’s worth of toiletries ;). As long as Mom is aware she might be toting some stuff back, I think its all good.
It’s all part of the “being a freshman” experience. In subsequent years, many students wind up paring back.
Of course it’s a matter of preference and what will fit. The OP asked if it was too much stuff. In my opinion it is.
I was th one who suggested the stuff be store for the summer at the college site. Seems to me that schlepping it one time is enough. Remember also, there will be no upperclassmen to help,with move out…or move in after freshman year.
THE best thing about having our kid across the country was that her college stuff wasn’t in our LR for three summers!
My D OOS. We plan to have her stuff moved/stored locally over the summer.
2 kids between boarding school and college, never had stuff in my living room over the summer. That’s what basements and garages are for. Or they just put it back in their own bedrooms at home. :-??
Summer storage can be pricey and its hard to warrant the price if the college is within a few hours from home. We do it for one of ours now because the college is across the country. Getting the stuff in and out of summer storage can be just as much hassle as getting it in and out of dad’s car.
My cross country kid shared a storage unit with three friends. It cost $90 for the whole summer each. Climate controlled.
Yes, we have a garage, but we put our cars in the garage. Yes, we have a basement…but nope…didn’t really want to schlep the college stuff there either.
The reality was…that college stuff really never needed to be used at home. The only things that got unpacked were clothes…and I guess shoes would be too. And the laptop got brought home.
I have a friend whose child goes to school halfway across the country, and they have decided that the solution is to have Dad transport the child’s stuff by car at the beginning and end of every school year, while Mom and child fly. They are not well off. I’m perplexed.
@SouthernHope The bins are being used to move her belongings - not to keep them in use during the school year. Luckily - she has access to storage during the school year to keep the bins and the rolling luggage.
the headboard is the least of it as it is a flat item.
@mathyone the headboard lays flat up against the wall and is fairly lightweight. Just to bring a little comfort from home 
The ‘junk’, as you say, is is all stuff that is on every college packing list out there. I didn’t even get everything on the list!
@1or2Musicians I’m sorry if my post was confusing. What I meant was that those were some of the items in the bin - not the only items.
@prospect1 Yes, my daughter has been in contact with her roommate regularly since June. They have split bringing some items and although they are not really coordinating the room - they have told each other what they will be bringing.
@doschicos Her things aren’t stored in my living room - she is moving on Friday and we are packing things we have been purchasing over the months that have been in closets.
@MeddlingMotherOY I was referencing thumper1’s living room comment, which turns out was literary license anyway. Yes, no need to store things in the living room unless one chooses to go that route.