Setting up your first dorm room can be overwhelming, but these Made in America essentials will serve you for years to come, without breaking the bank.
It’s that time of the year again: College move-in is beginning, and students are headed back to campus. It’s an exciting, emotional time, as freshmen prepare to leave home for the first time. One of the most stressful parts of starting the school year is moving into a dorm. What’s important to buy? What can stay home? What products are the best? As a recent college graduate myself, I still remember the frantic dorm shopping that occurred my freshman year, and I’m here to help.
Of course, this list also applies to anyone who’s skipping the college experience but still needs to establish his or her own living space for the the first time. There are lots of typical dorm items that are also perfect for a first apartment. Here’s a list of Made in America dorm/first apartment essentials.
Bedding
The most basic of dorm essentials is bedding. For a comfortable option that will fit right on that Twin XL dorm bed, try the bedding from Authenticity50. U.S.-grown cotton is spun in North Carolina, woven in South Carolina, finished in Tennessee, and sewn and cut in New Jersey to make Authenticity50’s world-class bedding, making it a truly American product. While bedding from Authenticity50 may be more expensive than what you can find at Target, it’ll also be of much higher quality. That means you’re making an investment that will last all four years of college, so you can avoid buying bedding all over again next school year. A word of warning, though: these sheets may make getting out of bed for those 8 a.m.’s near impossible!
Bonus: Dorm mattresses are notoriously uncomfortable. To make the dorm bed bearable, many students turn to foam mattress toppers. DormCo.com has several Made in the USA options: just be sure to check since not all of the toppers they sell are USA-made.
Storage
Storage options in dorm rooms can often be scarce, especially since dorm rooms are normally small to begin with, not to mention usually shared between two people. A smart way to store items and maximize space is under-bed storage. The plastic storage containers from Sterilite are a great option. Made at facilities across the United States, Sterilite offers multiple kinds of containers that will easily fit under a dorm bed. Plus, they offer other plastic containers as well, including small drawers, laundry hampers, and even some plastic cups. And did we mention their products are BPA free? Sterilite products can be found at major retailers including Walmart, Target, Home Depot and Lowe’s. (Keep in mind that some Sterlite products are labeled as Made in the USA with imported parts, so check the labels!)
Bonus: What about clothes storage? Walmart home brand Mainstays has an extensive selection of made in the USA plastic hangers in multiple styles, materials and colors. Since it’s at Walmart, it’s a good idea to check before you buy, but the Mainstays brand displays its made in the USA label clearly, so it should be an easy find. (If you’re more of a Target person, their Home Essentials brand has Made in the USA hangers, too: the label is just a bit harder to find).
Food/Beverage Essentials
Many college students get well acquainted with caffeine during midterms and finals weeks. If you’re looking to avoid spending absurd amounts of money on Starbucks every day, make an investment in an AeroPress coffee maker. Recommended by the New York Times, AeroPress’ special design makes cheap coffee taste much better. Plus, it won’t take up precious space. But be sure to check if coffee makers like AeroPress are allowed in your dorm before you make the purchase!
Looking to eat in the dorm and avoid the dining hall? Nordic Ware’s College Essentials line is exactly what you’ll need. Nordic Ware offers affordable, well-made and microwave safe items from plates to ramen bowls. And it’s all Made in Minnesota! Plus, if you’re moving into somewhere with a kitchen, Nordic Ware makes other kitchen supplies too, like pots and pans. Nordic Ware is an excellent choice for college and beyond.
Bonus: Staying hydrated is so important no matter what you’re doing. For a Made in the USA option, Liberty Bottles is a fantastic choice. With a variety of designs, there’s a water bottle for everyone. Just make sure you go to the “originals” section of their website. Their other products are not made in the USA!
Other Essentials
Dorm rooms can get pretty stuffy, and many might not even have AC. To help air flow, check out the Made in USA fans from Vornado. These small but mighty fans are well-known for how powerful and effective they are. Plus, they’re just the right size to store in a small dorm room. Just keep in mind that not all of Vornado’s fans are Made in the USA, so make sure you check before you buy (or stick to the made in U.S. section of the website).
Whether you’re in class or studying in your dorm room, you’ll need somewhere to store pencils and pens. Two stylish options come from Tough Traveler and Mokuyobi. Tough Traveler offers a simpler look (with a ton of color options) while Mokuyobi’s is far more vibrant and maximalist. Whatever choice you make, you can trust these pencil pouches’ quality: made in Schenectady, N.Y., and Los Angeles, Cali., respectively, you’ll be able to use your pencil pouch throughout your college career.
Bonus: Do not be the person who goes barefoot in the communal showers. We may have just featured them in our beach essentials article, but since Okabashi has a dedicated shower shoes section of their website, we had to mention them again. Great quality shoes made of recycled materials are a serious win without making a huge dent in your pocketbook!