UPINKOUT

Dorm Co has been hard at work securing the best college supplies and dorm products for 2011. We apologize for not giving you the latest in dorm supplies info since August and we will do our best to take a break and let you know what's happening in the dorm world whenever we can.

Dorm Co is a supporter of Breast Cancer research and for today 10-27-10 we have teamed up with UPINKOUT which is getting everyone dressed in Sassy Pink on 10-27-10 in Ann Arbor to do its part in creating the awareness and research funds for Breast Cancer.

For those of you who know Dorm Co we never coupon or discount because our dorm supplies are already priced crazy low. For one day, however we break our no coupon rule for a good cause.

Everyone who shops at Dorm Co today and uses Discount Code: UPINKOUT
Saves 10% and an additional 10% goes to The University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center for Research.

Shipping to the Dorm

Ordering dorm supplies too late for shipment to your home? Just because you are leaving for college in 5 days doesn't mean you can't get dorm stuff, textbooks online or those new shoes that you need, no matter what the purchase, you can ship it to your college.

At Dorm Co we are often asked, “Can I ship it to my college dorm address?"

The Answer: ABSOLUTELY

It would seem that the answer ‘absolutely’ is a given or an obvious answer, but there are a few reasons for the uncertainty. We address these concerns below.

1.Universities would rather you not get packages (online orders). That’s right, you are paying $5,000 to $50,000+ per year on tuition & room/board and your college doesn’t want to be bothered with more packages. …Well Kinda. It’s not that they don’t want to be bothered, but rather the university infrastructure wasn’t built to support the online shopping craze that is today. With small mail rooms, colleges are simply not equipped to handle high volumes of packages. These mail centers were often built years ago when college students only got an occasional letter from mom & dad, not a futon from Dorm Co. So then you might ask, “how do they make it work?" Instead of telling you that you can’t get packages, which would cause a fire storm, colleges simply put a limit as to how early you can have packages ship to the college. Universities will hold your futon or other dorm supply shipments, but they put a scare in you by telling you that if your packages arrives too early (from the date you arrive) that they won’t accept the package. This fear alone is enough to make anyone not ship to college, but trust us when we say they won’t reject your package. Unless you send it over 2 weeks early, your college will hold onto your shipment until your arrival.

The Good News is that we have never had a package get returned by a university for early arrival & universities are starting to willingly accept the added volume. In some cases we’ve heard that they rent out semi-trailers to store all the extra shipments that arrive. Trust us … Your college will find a way. They know how important your happiness is and even more important to universities is their retention rate. The happier you are = higher retention rates, which means the better a college looks. Universities know the high importance of having retention rates that rank among the best.

2. College addresses at first can be confusing. Sometime over the summer you probably got a letter with your college address or in the case of ‘green’ colleges this came through as an email. Either way, your official college address to receive shipments and letters was given to you. If you can’t locate it, then you can always call the residence life office of your soon to be university. It should be simple to just use your newly given address as your ship to address when checking out your online purchase, but for a few reasons it is not. For starters the address is several lines and typical online ship to address fields are not set up in the perfect layout. The solution to this is easy as all you need to do is ensure all of your address is somewhere in the ship to fields. As long as you fit it, you are fine. Problem #2 is that savvy online shoppers know that FedEx cannot deliver to a PO BOX and now your college has just given you a PO BOX address. What to do?! First don’t worry, because what your university has given you is a COLLEGE BOX. They may even call it a PO BOX, but Dorm Co knows it is really a COLLEGE BOX number and your shipment can easily ship without trouble to your college. When your college post office gets the package they will put a note in your college box letting you know that your package has arrived. Just take the note, go to the counter and they’ll grab your package and you’ll be on your way.

Now that we debunked some myths and concerns about online shopping and shipping to your college, we should probably get out of your way and say …. Happy Dorm Shopping.

GO GREEN.... Do you prefer lower prices or expensive boxes?

Call us tree hugging hippies, but we prefer CHEAP prices and in our little way helping the environment.

Would you rather pay more for the same products from companies that use 'pretty' boxes? Or would you prefer cheaper prices and products showing up in a used box?

A used box to companies that think customers need BRANDED & EXPENSIVE boxes is like a curse word! We say that's garbage! Ok.. now you are thinking, 'what company uses the word ... garbage?' ... DORM CO

The point is this... 70% of our dorm shipments go out in used boxes, they aren't the best looking, but it recycles cardboard, which saves trees and in the end helps all of us. As an added bonus it reduces our box cost and in turn allows us to lower our prices and offer $2.95 shipping!

Go Truly Green this back to college shopping season and embrace the Dorm Co used box.

5 Essentials to Ensure Good Sleep in a College Dorm

There isn't a time in life when getting good sleep is more important than college. With your brain soaking up so much new stuff, you'll need to relax those neurons and fall into long, extended, quality sleep. The best way to ensure good sleep while in dorm life is know about the little ways to add on extra minutes.

1. Plush Comforter - It all starts with a comfy comforter. A comforter is not just a comforter, many retailers sell 180 Tread Count comforters that feel less than cozy. You'll want to a add an ultra plush Twin XL comforter to truly make your dorm bed a place to get good sleep.





2. Twin XL Bed Topper - After you find the comforter that makes you sleepy just by looking at it, you'll want to a add an item that you won't see, but you will certainly feel. That essential dorm item is a Bed Topper. Whether you go with memory foam, a featherbed or a traditional egg crate, you will need to add cushion to your dorm bed. With college provided beds thin, flimsy and overall not comfortable, you can change all that by adding a Bed Topper.




3. Neverlate Alarm Clock - You may be thinking... How does an Alarm Clock help me sleep? Traditionally the alarm clock is the enemy of sleep, but have you ever lost sleep due to having to check and re-check your alarm clock to see if it is set? It happens to all of us, but it especially happens to those in college who have to wake up at different times throughout the week. Typically different daily wake up times would require that you set your alarm clock everyday, but with the Neverlate Alarm clock you can set 7 alarms (one for everyday of the week). By setting everyday up front you don't have to worry or wonder if you properly changed the time each night... that is key to falling asleep faster. As a bonus this alarm clock also has a special nap timer!


4. Blackout Curtain - Unlike your room at home that probably has dark curtains or shades that block the sun fairly well, your soon to be dorm room will feel as if the sun lives in your room. The college provided blinds block hardly any sun and unless you like waking up at 8AM on the weekends you’ll need a Blackout curtain. By adding a Blackout Curtain you are ensuring that your dorm room can stay dark and that you can catch a nap no matter what time of the day.

5. Sleep Eye Mask - If you like naps and seriously who doesn't?! Then you'll need a Sleep Eye Mask to ensure you can fall asleep in the middle of the day. Sure the blackout curtain would do the trick, but what if your college roommate is up and hanging out? You certainly can't shut the curtains on them, so instead of imposing your sleep wants, you can add a quality Sleep Eye Mask to get the darkness and peace you need.

Find the Perfect Internship, Plus, Get Free Internship Tools and Advice

Now more than ever college graduates are being asked to prove that they have had prior work experience before being inducted into the workforce once they’ve gained their diploma. The simplest way to do this is with an internship which allows a student to both test-drive an industry and gain valuable work experience.

A recent survey of over 300 college career service professionals underlines this point as 96% of those surveyed agreed that “students who graduate without an internship experience are at a competitive disadvantage in the current labor market.”

Where are students going to find internships? As competition for internship positions grows, students can visit internships.com to peruse openings and get tools to help them stand out and to land their ideal internship. Internships.com is the largest internship listing database on the web with over 17,000 openings in all 50 states.

Internships.com offers the following FREE services for students seeking internships:

- Internship Predictor: take a brief assessment to learn which types of internships will suit you best

- The largest internship database: search 17,000+ internship listings by location, industry, work hours, or company name

- Free internship alerts: get e-mail notices when new internships matching your search criteria are posted

- QuickBuild Resume: create a searchable Resume to apply for internships with

- QuickBuild Cover Letter: create a professional-looking cover letter to send with applications

- Interview prep & follow up advice: learn how to answer tough questions and what to do after the interview

- Employer communication: apply for open internships and manage the application process with prospective employers

In addition, internships.com provides free advice and services for students already in their internships, including expert tips from the Intern Coach blog on topics such as handling employer evaluations and networking on the job.

In the 21^st century, internships have become the key to unlocking successful careers and if you are looking for an internship, need help preparing for an interview, haven’t put a resume together, or just need some help jumpstarting your quest for the perfect internship, internships.com is the place to start. To access all the free tools for your internship experience, all you need to do is register. Visit www.internships.com to get started.

Top 5 Dorm Binge Snacks

The vast of majority of college students aren't trying to turn their dorm into a kitchen and cook daily meals. In fact if that happens more than twice in a semester that would be considered odd. Your real college meals will come from your University Cafe or 'The Caf' as it is commonly called. This is where you'll use your meal card and what you'll consider your eat in kitchen. Depending on the college, your University Cafe food can be surprisingly good and offers enough variety to make daily meals anything but dull.

Since your meals are covered we are referring to those late night binge snacks. Whether 11PM or 3AM the University Cafe won't be open and you'll be hungry. Maybe you studied late and need a break or you partied hard and need food to soak up all that fun... either way you'll be making dorm snacks!

Here are your TOP 5 DORM BINGE SNACKS

1. Pizza. This includes breadsticks and any cheap side item your local pizza place offers. Sure you always want pizza, but unless you found a $5.00 pizza deal odds are you'll be lacking funds to splurge for a whole pie every time. The cheap side items will get you through when you are low on cash flow.
2. Ramen Noodles. The funny thing about Ramen Noodles is that before college you probably never ate them and after college you won't want to touch them. This .32 cent meal/snack has a window in your life during college and boy is it popular! If you don't have a HOT POT that is what you must buy to enjoy this tasty and affordable dorm binge snack!
3. Popcorn. Movie night anyone? Or how about you and your friends getting together to watch your favorite TV show on Thursday night!? The best dorm snack for TV & Movie night is none other than Popcorn. You can cook it with those bag versions in the microwave or you can go all out and use a Popcorn Maker.
4. Mac N Cheese. You can't go wrong with Mac N Cheese and now that you can get the microwavable version you really can't go wrong. More expensive than Ramen Noodles, Mac N Cheese will be considered a splurge.
5. Soup. Ok..... maybe the list should have stopped at the TOP 4 because soup is hardly a binge snack, but it sure is a top comfort food when you get sick or homesick during those long college days. Easy to cook in a hot pot or microwave, you'll find yourself enjoying your favorite canned soup on days where it just feels right. The great thing about soup is that it stays good.... you can keep the can in your closet for months and enjoy it when you are ready. Soup is also relatively cheap and can warm you up during those cold winter days. Just don't forget a Can Opener and a Cool Touch Microwavable Bowl!

5 Must-have Dorm Room Gadgets

When it comes to college dorm supplies there are so many items that you need. From Twin XL bedding and space savers to shower caddies and rugs, there is literally a whole room of stuff that you NEED. All these dorm necessities are always talked about and on every checklist and for that exact reason we thought it would be fun to list the top 5 dorm gadgets. These are things you DON'T NEED, but they are certainly items that come in handy and make dorm life better. Sometimes the most interesting products are those that fill in the details, handle a useful void or provide a little humor.

Dorm Co's Top 5 Dorm Room Gadgets. ...Wants.. not NEEDS

1. S'Mores Maker - This dorm gadget brings those great childhood memories of campfire S'Mores directly to your college dorm room. You never made S'Mores this fast or easy! Perfect for those mid-day or late night dorm room snacks. Simply put your S'More ingredients in place, add water to the back of the unit, put in the microwave and before you know it you'll be everyone's best friend. Making a fire in dorms is beyond illegal, but who says you need fire to make S'Mores? An ideal dorm dessert after a Ramen Noodle dinner!

2. Strawz - Connectible Drinking Strawz is a fun way to drink your favorite drinks through a straw. Design your Strawz to go in every which way direction from your soda can or glass to your mouth. How else would you want to wash down those S'Mores! Whether a creative type or Engineering major, Strawz will bring losts of interest and time well spent in the dorms.




3. Faucet Fountain - Another useful way to keep from being parched while living in the dorms. Faucet Fountain is for college students that are fortunate enough to have a sink located within the actual dorm room. If your room is sink equipped, simply take the Faucet Fountain and attach it to your dorm room faucet. It is simple to add on and takes only minutes to turn a boring faucet into your own dorm room water fountain. Of course you can let the water run normally so the sink can still be used for all your other sink type needs, but anytime you want a drink you can have an instant fountain.

4. Bheestie Bag - With all these drinks flowing what happens if you drop you cell phone in water? You're screwed right? ... Wrong.. or rather.. wrong if your own Bheestie. Bheestie Bag is an innovative system that draws moisture out of your personal electronics. Almost every college student has had a run in with water and their cell phone, iPod or other tech stuff. Now you can save your college tech stuff from water damage with Bheestie! Put the blow dryer away, stop melting your expensive stuff and just place your recently wet tech items in Bheestie Bag.

5. Drinn - Since we are talking about saving your cell phone with Bheestie, what about
how you treat your phone on a daily basis? Drinn is a handy gadget that keeps your cell phone off the floor. At home your bed most likely had a nightstand that you could set your cell phone on while it charged, but in college this is often not the case. With no nearby table to set your cell phone, it will most likely end up resting on the floor. This of course not only puts your phone at risk to damage, but it also is not the most sanitary place to keep something that comes in contact with your face. Drinn is that cheap & useful solution!

5 Things not to do at High School Grad Parties

Depending on what part of the country you live, your senior year of high school is either over or winding down. After the exams and the graduation comes all of the great parties. We've already told you the top 10 gifts, but thought we'd now share 5 things not to do at high school grad parties. Whether your own party or your friend's party there is just a few things you have to remember.

5 Things not to do.....

1. NOT GO - It may sound weird for 'not go' to be listed first, but it cannot be overlooked. Life is busy and sure your summer job may need you, but there should never be an excuse to not go to as many high school grad parties as possible. Whatever you do you must find a way to go... there is only 1 high school graduation... there may be many parties, but only 1 Graduation.. so GO TO ALL OF THEM.
2. DRINK TOO MUCH - You certainly don't want to be that guy or girl passed out on the front lawn when your friend's aunt Millie steps over you. Besides the fact you can't legally drink, if you do it anyways the grad parties with your friends' family is not the place. That said some adults are lax and may offer you a drink.... If it helps you choose not to drink just think of Aunt Millie.
3. EXPECT GIFTS - If you throw a party chances are you'll get lots of grad gifts, but the idea of getting gifts should never be the reason you have the party in the first place. In fact, expect nothing and be overly thankful for any gifts given to you.
4. DRESS TRASHY - Sure it's a party, but chances are there will be lots of family and adults at the party. Keep the wife beaters and short skirts in the closet. You don't want to make your friend's Grandpa Joe shake his head and mumble 'who are these people'.
5. SING if you Sound like WILLIAM HUNG - Ok.. this is not that bad, and in fact may be funny for the party guests, but if you sound like a reject from American Idol you may want to limit your number of karaoke songs to two.

Top 10 High School Graduation Gifts

High school graduation for the class of 2010 is literally around the corner. For many students this means they'll be moving off to college and living in university dorms come the fall. From graduation, to move in day, there is a lot of preparation involved in getting the college dorm stuff that will turn a crammed dorm space into a livable, comfortable home away from home. For this reason Dorm Room Stuff tops the list of best high school graduation Gifts.

Top Dorm Room Gifts Every Graduate Can Use:
1. Twin XL sheets. Dorm Beds are 80" long and you'll want to get Twin XL sheets instead of the commonly found twin sheets. Every student can use extra sheets, making sure this gift will most certainly be used.
2. Fun College Laundry Bag. Every student has to do laundry and having a fun laundry bag like the Dorm Co GTL Laundry Bag is a good way to go.
3. Mini-Futon. All dorms need extra seating. No one wants to sit on the floor, so by giving dorm furniture as a gift you can be sure the graduate's dorm will be a cool hang out spot.
4. Twin XL Bed Topper. Dorm Beds severely lack any comfort. In fact, without a bed topper such as an Egg Crate, Featherbed or Memory Foam, the student's bed will feel like a hard floor.
5. Pop Up Dorm Caddy. This cheap dorm supplies product is a must for all students moving into dorms with community bathrooms. And since community bathrooms are the norm, this caddy will be used daily.
6. College Plush Rug. Most dorm floors are non-carpeted, cold tile. To liven up a room and add some decor you can give any dorm a boost with a quality 4 x 6 or 5 x 8 dorm rug.
7. Trunk. Plain and simple a dorm trunk can be used for anything from storage to sitting and even as a mini coffee table. Collegiate trunks are under $100 and should last beyond a student's 4 or 5 year college career.
8. Go Vault & Laptop Safe. If you give the gift of dorm security you know you are giving the gift of peace of mind. Theft in university dorm rooms have risen and any dorm supplies that keep a student's stuff safe is a good gift idea.
9. College Survival Kits. Dorm room packages that have a bunch of useful stuff is an easy way to ensure nothing is forgotten when the high school graduate finally takes off for college. These gift packs carry all the necessities that will end up being used throughout the semester.
10. Twin XL Plush Comforter. Chances are a student's bed at home is not Twin XL, this means purchasing a quality dorm comforter will be a necessity. To best fit a college bed you'll want a Twin XL comforter that is 86" to 90" Long. Always best to go machine washable or for down comforters to add a removable duvet.

All Top 10 Dorm Gift Supplies can be found and purchased at:
TOP 20 HIGH SCHOOL GRAD GIFTS

If you are still not sure which route to go you can always give a gift card to Dorm Co (http://www.DormCo.com), the #1 online Dorm Essentials Superstore.

Enjoy all your high school graduation parties!

Dorm Decor is all about YOU

When it comes to your college dorm decor, we know you'll have posters, peel 'n stick decor, tapestries and dry erase boards, but nothing tops your pictures. Posting your favorite pics of your friends, family and places you've been is the best and most common way to outfit your dorm walls. Your pics bring your life and personality to your college room. Not much is more comforting than smiling at some of the fun times you had during high school or with your college friends.

The question is not if you'll post your pics, but how?

Masking or scotch tape is only an option if you don't mind your pics falling off your wall halfway during the semester.

To better keep your pics in place we recommend the following:
1. Glue Dots
2. Dorm Tape
3. College Survival Kit
4. Cling Thing Strip
5. Cling Thing Board
6. Cork Tiles
7. Vertical Strip
8. Mounting Tape
9. Designer Duct Tape

The above options ranged from simply sticking your photos on your wall to ways to make creative photo collages. Odds are you'll use a combination of the ways we listed to keep your dorm walls decorated and looking the way YOU want.

After you've posted your pics on your dorm wall you can add some extra decor with Peel 'N Stick Frames also known as Stickr Frames.

Students Earn Cash

There is always a time and a place for hard work, but we're not so sure your last summer after senior year of high school is that time. Sure you need at least a part time summer job to pay for all the good times you'll have with your friends, but you certainly can't over-do it. Once college starts and beyond you'll have plenty of time to work 80+ hours a week. Ok... maybe you won't have plenty of time, but your ambition and energy will be put towards your work or in the case of those lucky few, your life passion. Take your time now to figure out what inspires you.

....Sometimes its just good to earn cash for little effort because the rest of your life will demand hard work to succeed. DormCo.com has chosen to pay students commission instead of paying for over-priced magazine ads and other marketing efforts that quite simply no one pays attention to.

How does it work?
Sign-up: Dorm Co - Students Earn Cash

Anytime you refer your friends to Dorm Co and they shop after clicking your referred link you get a commission on the sale. Literally EARN CASH just for posting your Dorm Co link on your facebook or twitter account.

Dorm in a Trunk

Shopping for college dorm supplies and making sure everything fits in a dorm trunk is tough, but it is possible. Excluding your dorm furniture and clothes, everything else you buy for college can certainly pack up neatly in a trunk.

Packing up for college in a trunk is not just space saving, but it also makes for easy transport. The great thing about a dorm trunk is that it has so many uses once you actually get to college. Use it as a coffee table (in front of your futon), a bedside table, a bench to sit on or just a storage area for anything that needs to be organized and out of sight.

With your trunk as the focal spot you can add your dorm stuff at any point. You can do your big shopping in April/May and add the extras later or you can buy a few things now and shop for the bulk of your dorm stuff in July/August. Either way once you find what you like, simply add it to your trunk and you'll be all ready come freshman move-in day.

Top 5 April Fools Jokes for High School Seniors

Got to love this list! Seeing it is still early on April Fools' Day feel free to borrow from our Top 5 List.

1. Type an official looking college letter telling you best friend the college they thought they got into has changed their mind and they are now on the rejected list. ...April Fools!

2. Get a new gmail email address and email your friend pretending you are another student from their soon to be college in the fall. In the email act like you are a freak who has hand picked your friend to be a hopeful roommates with. ...April Fools!

3. Somehow get a hold of your friends car keys and move where they parked their car in your high school parking lot. Move it just enough to have them think they lost their mind while leaving school at the end of the day. ....April Fools!

4. Have everyone that knows your close friend write a message on their facebook wall saying stuff like, "I am sorry about your news", "I hope everything is ok", "Let me know if you need to talk". Your friend will be freaked into thinking something horrible happened... April Fools! (You can also do it for the reverse by everyone saying 'congrats')

5. Dial your friends phone throughout the day using *67 before your dial to block the call. Instead of saying anything just make a rustling sound with your phone in your pocket. Do this while you are next to your friend and they'll never suspect it was you. In fact they may tell you they think a ghost is calling them or someone is out to get them. Try not to blow your cover by laughing too hard. ...April Fools.

It's all About the MINI

Why MINI? Because mini FITS!

Small is the new chic.

Dorms can get really small, especially when sharing the spot with a roommate. The tough question on 'going small' always comes with dorm furniture. On one hand you want college seating that can fit you and your friends and on the other hand you want a dorm room, not a sofa the size of your room.

Our suggestion is to get the Futon, but do it mini. By getting a futon you still get the versatility, yet by making it small you can fit it in your dorm without worry that it will engulf your entire room.

Is NOW to early to start dorm room shopping?

Getting excited about dorm stuff and college is normal, but Dorm Co always gets asked, "When is it too early to start buying college dorm supplies?"

Of course if you get past the fact that Dorm Co sells dorm stuff and you trust we'll shoot it to you straight, we can actually provide an honest answer.

The truth is March might be a little early, but then again starting to stock up on good deals and 'finds' that might be out of stock come the peak season (May-August), is not a bad idea. A rule of thumb this early is to buy if the deal is that good or you like the product that much.

The real Dorm Shopping season starts in late April or early May when shopping for high school graduation gift ideas take off. With dorm gifts being the perfect grad gift other than money, most parents and students start to comb the shelves just before high school graduation. This is the time when retailers start to see which dorm items are popular. Depending on the dorm store and the product supplier some items will run out and not return for the season, while others will stay in stock until late August. It is hard to tell and often the retail store managers have no clue.

Since many items are imported for overseas it is a general rule of thumb that it takes 60-90 days to get products produced and shipped to the US. This means that if a dorm item runs out in May then it could be back in August, but chances are it would not be back in stock until the following year. The reason being is that it is not worth the financial cost to the dorm retailer to have an item back is stock for less than 1 month of college dorm shopping season left.

In general, most retailers, including Dorm Co do a very good job forecasting and at least having stock until 8/1. After 8/1 is like after 12/15 for Christmas shopping, slim pickings on the good stuff or heavy deals on stuff that would not be your first choice.

Happy Dorm Shopping!

Blackout ...... Your Dorm Windows!

What happens when the sun hits your face at 8am on a Saturday? If you said you never let that happen, then you probably haven't moved into the dorms yet. The vast majority of college dorms have blinds that let the light stream in early and stay late. If you are up for class on a Tuesday that's fine, but if you're trying to catch up on sleep until noon on Sunday that's a major problem.

The only way to ensure dorm sleep goes uninterrupted and you can get your naps in is by adding a Blackout Curtain. As the name indicates they block 99.99% of sun! The addition of Blackout Curtains is pretty easy. The hard part is getting them to hang.

Wall holes = illegal: In dorm rooms wall brackets to hang curtains or drapes are illegal. They are illegal because putting holes in your dorm wall is considered destruction of University property. Beyond being illegal it will also result in fines that can't be avoided. Even if you were allowed to hang wall brackets you would have a hard time putting holes in cinder blocks.

How to Hang: The best way to hang your Blackout curtain is with a tension rod. In order to hang your blackout curtain with a tension rod you have to have windows that are set in. If they are set in you will have a wall to hold up the extended tension rod with Blackout Curtain. If your window in not set in then you have to be more creative. Purchase the Blackout Curtain with Grommets and 3M removable wall hooks. Place 4-8 removable plastic wall hooks along the wall above your dorm window. After strategically placing each hook on the wall hang a grommet on each hook and your Blackout Curtain will be in place. It's not hard, but you do have to be alright with getting creative. ...after all it's dorm life so make it good by using unique and useful tips like these!

Do dorm rooms smell?

As a senior in high school I'm sure your last thought is; Will my dorm room smell?

Think about it though...

Take how old your dorm building is and multiply it by 2.
For Example, if your dorm is 50 years old and is a standard 2 student room, that means 100 different people have lived in what will be YOUR room. That's a lot of different body odors!

For the skeptic out there who says, 'yea, but hotels don't usually smell and they have had thousands of guests', my answer to that is: TRUE, however hotel stays are usually so short no one has the chance to funktify it yet. Seriously, that musty smell of dirty laundry and your roommate not showering never really hits a hotel room. It does however hit DORM rooms!

The good news is that before your move-in day in August, your university will do a heck of a job trying to make your room feel new. How well they clean it depends on how nice your school is. If your school has cut backs due to the economy you should enter move-in day with a rag and Lysol. ...Or bleach if you can handle it.

Good Idea:
Every now and then Dorm Co has a good idea (this is one of those times). Besides going the flare-up, bleach nostril route and freaking your entire dorm floor out, we suggest a more subtle option. It's entirely possible that your room only needs a hint of something good smelling to mask the musk of the previous dorm dweller. Make your semester smell better by adding Dorm Scents. You can go the liquid route by adding reed & diffusers or your can go with the latest, which is Say NO Smell to Dorms.
Depending on your room you can keep a Dorm Scent out on your desk or on your closet shelf. The nice thing about these scents is that they aren't the type that will overpower and give you a headache. Instead, they provide a realistic cover-up to any odors that might be offensive.

IMPORTANT NOTE: You'll notice Dorm Co does not sell candles nor did we discuss candles. The reason is that university campus rules prohibit the use of candles. If you bring a candle it will be thrown out by residence life anyway. Some school may even fine you after your first warning.

Happy dorm smelling!!

How to turn a dorm bed into a dorm sofa!

So you were lucky enough to fit one lounger or moon chair in your dorm room? Although that's great if you only have one friend, you'll ultimately want to create more dorm seating!

Beyond the obvious, which is investing in a mini-futon or dorm sofa, there is an alternative besides sitting on the floor.

.... COLLEGE PILLOWS

Turn your Twin XL bed from the place you sleep at night, to a dorm room sofa by day.

It's simple, just take any two pillows you can get your hands on, add Dorm Co's awesome designed pillows cases and you've turned your bed into a dorm seating spot!

In dorm-life you just have to be creative when it comes to your space and by turning your bed into a sofa it doesn't get more creative than that. Besides being creative you also have to be practical. This set of 2 pillow cases look great and when combined with pillows they can easily give you a comfortable spot for under $50. The nice thing about creating a support cushion with pillows as a sofa is that you can also use them while you sleep. Use them as extra head pillows or keep them up against the wall so you aren't tasting cinder block while you sleep.

Fun dorm decor & practical seating... it doesn't get much better than that!

Dorm Theft Prevention (post 2 of 2)

How do you prevent dorm theft if you have a roommate? After all, you can lock the door as much as you want, but if your roommate leaves it unlocked or has friends that snoop through your stuff, how do you prevent your stuff from disappearing?

Good Question!
Besides the obvious answer which is talking to your roommate about making sure the door is kept locked when you are both gone, you really can't do much about 'friends' coming in and out while one of you is actually in the room. This leads you to no other choice but to proactively keep your stuff locked up and protected. Textbooks are hard to lock, but you'll at least want to keep the really expensive ones out of site.

What do I need to protect?
- Laptop
- Passport
- Camera
- Cell Phone
- Cash/Credit Card
- Jewelry

Really anything that can be sold on Craig's list, or that you feel is invaluable to you. Anything that you would lose sleep over if it went missing should be protected.

The best way to keep your valuables safe is with dorm room security products. You will need at least two safes. The first for your laptop and the second for your other small valuables. Both versions have to ensure that your stuff can't walk. This means they either need sirens louder than loud, or they need to have the ability to lock to your immovable dorm furniture. In most cases this would be your desk or your bed frame.

Cost?
The good news is that you can get quality dorm security for $20 - $75. You don't have to break the bank to keep your stuff protected! Since you can't be everywhere or watching everyone, it is best to give yourself peace of mind starting with day one of freshman year with simple security items like the Dorm Co, Go Vault. There are losts of great safes, but for $20 you really can't beat this one!

Peel N Stick ... Dorm Walls go from prison to DECOR

Much is always made about the prison-like cylinder block walls of college dorms rooms. And for good reason as dorm walls without any décor do have the depressed look of jailhouse walls. The key to making your college dorm feel more like home and less like a place you wouldn’t want to be, is all about adding your style to the walls.

The latest is dorm room décor is what is commonly referred to as Peel N Stick. Made of durable paper or vinyl, this dorm décor item can be placed on any dorm wall without damaging the wall or the paint. 100% removable and 100% re-positionable the Peel N Stick wall décor is the perfect fit for dorm walls especially because any damage results in fines.



Peel N Stick used to be crazy expensive, but just like anything else, as the more popular it gets and the more competition there is, the price has dropped. The cost for Peel N Stick used to be $50++, now most quality Peel N Stick is no more than the cost of a few posters. With a cool and unique look and affordability, Peel N Stick is quickly becoming the leading product in college dorm decor.

Happy Dorm Decorating!!

Dorm Theft Prevention (post 1 of 2)

With the price of textbooks through the roof, overall expenses high, the need for added cash always present and the all too inviting open door policy of dorm-life, it is no wonder that dorm theft is common.

What's not common is how widely known an issue it really is. Most dorm thefts are of one item here or one textbook there. Although the problem when lumped together is large, there is rarely the broken glass style burglaries that garner headlines. Further, Universities are really not trying to be in the local news for having problems with theft. Combine all this and you may naively go off to college not worried about your stuff getting stolen, which in and of itself makes you a perfect target.

Whose Stealin?
The sad thing on college campuses is typically it is other students. It's entirely possible that someone from off-campus came on to campus to steal, but the odds are against it. The reason being is that for these quick backpack swipes, textbook grabs, or tech stuff steals to even be able to occur, the thief has to be able to blend in. And no one blends in better than fellow students!

What to watch for?
Nothing! There is nothing obvious to look for. Most college student thieves fall into the category of opportunist. If they see something that has value and it is unattended (with no risk of getting caught), they'll steal it.

The Key is to not watch for something, but rather watch your stuff!

With the ability to re-sell textbooks, post anything on Craig's List or even eBay, almost everything you own could have value. Even your jacket could be sold to a local consignment shop. So next time you leave a coat or a textbook on a library chair or in your dorm study room, don't be surprised if you become the next victim of dorm theft.

...Part 2 will focus on ways to limit in room theft.

Underbed Storage for those on the Top Bunk

Freshman year is not far away and soon dorm-life will be where you call home. Chances are, over the summer following high school graduation you’ll be talking to your soon to be roommate. You’ll decide many things together; such as sharing a fridge and/or microwave, dorm rugs, and your college furniture. One thing you may not decide until move-in day is your room layout, which includes whether or not you’ll bunk your bed. This may seem to be a minor detail, but one thing that’s easily forgotten is the storage space under your bed.

If you opt for the top bunk, make sure you discuss under bed storage. There is nothing wrong with the top bunk, but if your roommate thinks all the underbed storage is theirs then you’ll want to discuss that earlier vs later. The reason this is important is that dorm storage space is so limited that if you have no under bed storage or all under bed storage it will make a difference on what you can fit in your college dorm room. Of course you want to bring as much stuff as possible to college, so the key with any potential roommate situation is ‘conversation’. Keep the communication open and you’ll be fine. …take half of their under bed stuff, pull it out and throw it on the floor and you’ll have a problem. Regardless, if half the underbed space should be yours the best thing to do is talk it out. You'll find most roommates, even if not best friends, will be reasonable.

TRIVIA!: What is missing in a dorm room that almost every home has?

...give up?

Ans: A Hallway Closet. In dorm-life you get one closet. That closet has to be your everything closet, so when you wonder why your space is limited, blame it on the closet. At least back home you most likely had an entrance closet or a mud room closet to keep your shoes and coats, but in college there is no such thing!

The Solution: Without a closet for your shoes you just have to get more creative. One of the best ways to get creative is to utilize your door space. That's right; your door space! Every door in your dorm should be used for placing over the door shoe pockets, over the door hooks and anything else that provides storage. Your closet doors are the real secret to getting the most out of your dorm space. Whether you hang baskets, hooks, shelves or shoe racks, one thing is for certain and that is your dorm door space is prime storage real-estate.

What size dorm rug is best?

Choosing your college dorm rug depends on how much of the room you want it to cover. Do you want a rug just in front of your bed? Or do you want a rug to cover your entire floor? Do you want the cheapest dorm rug just to keep the nasty floor covered? Or do you want a rug that is also décor, which makes your room unique?

The most popular size for college dorm rugs is 5’ x 8’. Close behind 5’x 8’ in popularity is 4’ x 6’ and 6’ x 9’. The reason 5’ x 8’ dorm rugs are the most popular is that they cover up the majority of your open floor space. Although 5’ x 8’ won’t cover your entire room or under your bed, it sure covers the areas that matter. Where you may walk, decide to sit or even lay on the floor, the 5’ x 8’ size has you covered. At Dorm Co and other retailers, it is also a great priced rug. At 5’ x 8’ the rug is easily shipped and the overall cost is affordable for customers to purchase.

4’ x 6’ is the second most popular dorm rug size. The reason is that the 4' x 6' size for many dorm rooms fits the middle of your room's open space. In other dorm rooms it fits perfectly next to the bunk beds and makes for a nice center area of the room. If your bed is not bunked, the 4’ x 6’ dorm rug can be positioned next to your bed and can cover your personal space. It’s a versatile size and can make for great dorm décor.

Although 6’ x 9’ doesn’t cover your entire floor, it is as close as you’ll get without hiring a local carpet layer (which you can't do!) This size gives your room coverage under your bed and across your entire room. This is a positive if you get a cheap dorm rug, but if you get something nicer, the added size up from the 5’ x 8’ brings more cost and less value. After all, you don’t need a nicer dorm rug under your bed collecting dust bunnies!

Lastly you’ll also find 3’ x 5’ rugs while on your dorm shopping journey. These rugs are typically bedside rugs only and provide a limited amount of coverage. Often 3’ x 5’ sized dorm rugs leave college students wishing they opted for at least 4’ x 6’. That said some of the 3’ x 5’ rugs are so dirt cheap that they allow you to spend your money on other dorm stuff that you might care more about.

Down Comforter & Dorms Rooms

Ok... So if you've read the last few posts on Dorm Bedding you might feel you have the gist of it, until that is if you decide to shop for down comforters and duvet covers for your Twin XL bed.

Why? Because no matter how you try you won't find a true Twin XL Down Comforter and if you do you should be worried because you certainly won't find a Twin XL duvet. The reason being is that it's just not necessary!

Dorm Beds are 80" Long and Twin Down Comforters are typically 86" - 88" long. This is more than enough length for your dorm bed.

So what's the problem?
Really there is no problem except it has been drilled into your head that you need Twin XL ... Twin XL ... Twin XL... Twin XL. And in the case of down comforters you simply need twin (just as long as it is 86" or longer). Since retailers know that you often need to see the word Twin XL (even for comforters) they have gotten savvier and will call a Twin Down Comforter, "Twin/Twin XL Down Comforter". This subtle move helps you have peace of mind that your quality twin sized down comforter and duvet will fit the dorm beds.

TIP: Remember Twin is fine except if the dorm bedding product is fitted.