A new study has found that nearly 3 in 10 people spend over $1000 on furnishing their college dorm room.
Furnishing your home does not come cheap—even if you’re living in a dorm.
The average college student spends $760 setting up their space before accounting for rent or tuition, according to a new study by Sallie. And nearly 3 in 10 (28%) spend over $1,000.
Payton Bussey, a student at University of Colorado Boulder in Boulder, CO says she spent about $1,000 furnishing her dorm, including both practical items and decor.
“I got the basics like bedding, a mattress topper, towels, and storage, but I also bought a bean bag, curtains, a rug, wall prints, and lighting. I probably could’ve skipped a few extras, but decorating was part of what made moving into a dorm exciting, especially since this was my first time away from home,” explains Bussey.
If you’re a current or prospective college student (or parent of one), realize that overspending on a dorm or rental is fairly normal but not every purchase is essential. By knowing what is (and isn’t) worth it, you can keep your budget under control.
Why it’s easy to overspend on a college dorm or rental
Dorm shopping often starts with the obvious essentials, but the smaller purchases add up quickly. The same holds true with an apartment or other rental.
“Bedding, storage, lighting, organizers, towels, kitchen basics and decorative pieces may each seem inexpensive on their own, but together they can easily push a budget much higher than expected,” says Alyssa Buzzeo, home and consumer design trends expert at RSLiving.com in Knoxville, TN.
Social media has also raised expectations around what a dorm room should look like, making students (and sometimes their parents) feel like they need a completely finished, coordinated space from day one.
The Sallie study confirms this as 59% of respondents felt pressure to create a social-media-worthy dorm, and many of those students overspent by an average of $119 chasing the aesthetic.
Amy Webb, parenting and child development specialist and founder of Thoughtful Parent in Erie, CO points out that some families underestimate the cost of dorm decorating because they’re thinking back to when they attended college.
“They may also not be aware of how many items students like to have in their dorms and apartments today,” Webb explains.
The average college student spends $760 setting up their space before accounting for rent or tuition, according to a new study by Sallie. (Realtor.com) What to prioritize when creating a furnishing budget
When figuring out what to buy for a dorm or apartment, start with function before aesthetics.
“I would divide the budget into three categories: true necessities, comfort upgrades, and decor,” Buzzeo explains.
The goal is to spend the majority of the funds on items a student would use every day, such as quality bedding, a supportive desk chair if one isn't provided, practical storage, and good lighting.
“Decor—like wall art, curtains, and desk accessories—should come last, especially because students often don't know what they actually need until they've lived in the space for a few weeks,” adds Buzzeo.
It’s important for a college student to answer, “What will I use the most, what matters to me, and how long do I expect to keep it?”
“If sleep is really important to someone, maybe a better mattress topper or bedding is worth more of their budget. If they’ll spend hours studying at their desk, maybe it's a comfortable desk chair. Everyone has different priorities,” says Jasmine Renae Ray, certified financial planner at Bamboo Financial Partners in Tulsa, OK.
Ray notes that shopping around can help a furnishing budget go further.
“It’s a good idea to compare online and in-store prices. Facebook Marketplace, thrift stores, garage sales or other secondhand options can come in handy. Saving $10 or $20 across several purchases can make a meaningful difference,” Ray adds.
Why you should live in the space before filling it up
The most common mistake college students and renters often make is trying to completely furnish and decorate the room before actually living in it.
“Dorms and first apartments are typically smaller than expected, and students often buy storage or furniture without knowing exactly how the space will function,” says Buzzeo.
That’s why it’s a good idea to start with the essentials, measure everything before purchasing larger pieces, and live in the room for a week or two before filling every empty corner.
“The best small spaces are usually the ones that are edited rather than overdecorated,” Buzzeo explains.
Lucia Fuentes, interior designer and professional organizer at Coastal Maid San Diego in San Diego agrees.
“I suggest leaving 10% to 15% of the budget open so a college student can purchase items once they’ve actually been in the space and have a better understanding of their storage needs, usually after a few weeks,” Fuentes explains.