The collegiate storage trunk is a classic staple for any college student. Not only do college dorm storage trunks look great in just about any room decor, but they also can hold and organize quite a lot of stuff without taking up too much space. They also can double as a coffee table or extra seating when needed, too!

If you’re looking for a footlocker storage trunk, you’re going to love our finds below:

Collegiate 30″ Footlocker

This 30″ storage trunk from Dormco is by far one of the best values we have found online, and you get three nice color options to choose from: black, navy, and pink. Best of all, it has wheels! (They can be quite heavy once filled!) It also locks, which means no worries about room mates or visitors disturbing the contents inside. And even better than that – the price – this is the only locking trunk with wheels that we found online for less than $80. When you think about how much use you can get out of a trunk like this, it is really quite a value. You can use it as a coffee table, a bench, a place to store those sweaters and coats or books – if you bought those pieces separately not only would it cost three times as much or more – but it would take up a lot of space! At 30″ long, it’s big enough to hold things, but not too big that it will crowd your style. Click Here for The Collegiate Footlocker Trunk.

Stainless Steel College Dorm Trunk

Made of stainless steel, you can be pretty confident that this trunk is one that can withstand the test of time in college, as well as the use and abuse it will likely get. While it’s a little more expensive and doesn’t offer the wheels, this is definitely a piece that can compliment just about any style. Available from Dormco.com

Wicker Woven Trunk

If you want your room to have an upscale and adult look, the Redmon Designer Antiquated Trunk does exactly just that. While it may be missing some handy features like wheels or a locking latch, it certainly will look good in any room. Available in four color styles (cream, sage green, mocha, and nutmeg). From Amazon.com.

Whether you’re looking for the classic collegiate storage dorm trunks or want the durable and statement making stainless steel college dorm storage trunk, there’s one available out there to fit any budget and style. Which one is your favorite dorm room storage footlocker? Tell us in the comments section below!

When looking for college dorm furniture, there are many different options available. Since most college dorms are small spaces, choosing pieces that are compact or have dual functions can be very beneficial in maximizing your space and comfort. It’s very important that you don’t choose too much, as it can cause the room to be cramped or seem even smaller than it already is.

Here are some tips for what to look for in college dorm furniture:

Affordability: Going to a university and living on campus certainly has many expenses. You may or may not stay in similiar rooms from year to year, which is why if you are looking to save money you may wish to set a budget so you do not go overboard. It makes the most sense to only purchase what you absolutely need. When you consider affordability and your budget, you may decide it is best to allot the majority of it for one or two key pieces rather than purchasing several at once.

Usability: Furniture should offer function in order to be practical. For example, a dresser can store clothing. Having furniture that does not do anything beyond adding decorative appeal may cause some storage issues or make a room seem over cluttered.

Dual Purpose: Finding items that offer two or more multiple uses can help greatly reduce both your costs as well as minimize clutter. For example, a storage trunk could be used for both storing blankets and sweaters as well as provide extra seating when you have visitors in your room.

Storage: Storage space is a premium in tight spaces, which is why you’ll want to think about what things you will bringing with you to college. (See our College Dorm Essentials Checklist for more ideas.)

Quality: You Will Want to make sure that the pieces you choose are of good quality so they can withstand your stay. While it may seem that more expensive items would be of better quality, this is not always the case. Better quality materials will give you a better investment in the long run, since you will not need to replace them and they are less likely to break or need repaired and maintenance.

Safety: Make sure that the objects are sturdy, can resist breaking or falling down easily, and do not require the need to be anchored to the walls. Safety is very important, since you do not want to worry about being hurt while you are living in your college dorm! We were quite disappointed for example to find out one dresser that we especially liked posed quite a hazard of toppling over if more than 1 drawer was open at a time and because of rules of the dormitory we could not securely anchor it into the walls as recommended by the manufacturer.

School Issued Pieces: Many schools and universities will provide the basics such as a bed, nightstand, desk, and dresser. Make sure you know in advance what they will provide, as you will likely be stuck with it whether you want it or not. There is no sense in purchasing things you do not need or if you will have to figure out a way to store it.

Now that you know what things to look for in choosing your college dorm furniture, here are some suggestions for things you might want to consider:

Shelving: A narrow and tall book shelf may be excellent for helping take advantage of vertical space and storing books or other things you will need.

Wardrobe: Closet space is often a premium in on campus living, so a free standing wardrobe might be suitable if you will need additional storage space for hanging up clothing and other items.

TV Stand: Most schools do not provide an entertainment unit or television stand, but it is rather likely you will want to have one for holding your TV. You can sometimes use a dresser or other furniture in your room, but a tv stand can also potentially serve as storage for DVDs and other items.

Bed: Most college dorms will provide you with a standard twin sized bed. However, if you need to provide your own you can either go with a simple frame and mattress or you may also be interested in a loft bed with desk which can give you more space for storage or studying.

Desk: If you are the type of person who needs a desk to study or hold a desk top computer, then a desk is also necessary if your school does not provide you with one. If you study better at the library or have a laptop, then you may find that a desk isn’t the best use of space in your room.

Kitchen Cart: A kitchen cart is a great piece of furniture if you need space for holding your microwave as well as food and other items such as plates, napkins, forks, and others.

Now that you know what to look for in your college dorm furniture and what basics you will need, you’re ready to start making decisions on what type is right for you!

When it comes to choosing college dorm refrigerators, also known as the “mini fridge”, there are a lot of options and a lot of different features to consider. While it is perfectly possible to survive college without a mini fridge, it’s a great convenience for having basic supplies like milk, storing leftovers, and being able to store ice cold beverages as well.

Here are some questions to ask yourself before you start shopping for your college dorm refrigerator:

1. Will My Room Mate Be Sharing It With Me? Often times you and your room mate will be able to split the cost or compromise where one person buys the fridge, the other person buys the microwave for example. This is a huge help in saving on expenses, and you’ll both be glad that you have one. Most schools will notify you of who your room mate will be a few months in advance, so you’ll have plenty of time to try and track him or her down and see if they have any preferences or are willing to split the cost with you. It’s a good idea to check with your room mate also just so the two of you don’t show up on moving day with two refrigerators!

2. How Big Should it Be? Mini fridges come in all different kinds of sizes, and you’ll want to make sure that yours is large enough to hold the things you need, but not so big that it takes up valuable dorm room space as well. Carefully think about how much you’ll really be storing in there and what size you’ll need.

3. What Features Are Important to Me? There are many different features available, ranging from refrigerators with freezer compartments, ice machines, cold beverage racks, and more. If those features are important to you, then you’ll want to make sure the machine you choose has them. If you can go without some of the bells and whistles you may be able to save a lot of money when purchasing it.

4. Where Will I Get it From? There are so many different places to get a refrigerator. If you like to save money, you the first thing to do is look for a mini fridge on eBay for an inexpensive second hand one. Many stores and retailers will also have specials in the summer on mini fridges because they know that college students such as yourself will be needing one for the upcoming semester. Since you’ll probably have plenty of time to wait a week or less for shipping, getting one online at a site such as Amazon.com can make it much easier to find exactly what you are looking for and save a lot of money as well. (We’ve routinely found they are less expensive than many big box retail chain stores on many items, especially when the items are eligible for free shipping!) Another perk? They also have customer reviews, which can help you sort through the losers and the winners.

Now that you’ve asked yourself these very important questions, here are our top picks for college dorm refrigerators, based on price and features.

	Igloo Mini Fridge w/Freezer This mini fridge is compact at only 3.2 cubic feet, but offers separate freezer and refrigerator compartments, as well as room for an ice tray. Reasonably priced for under $200, it’s a strong contender for any college student. Learn More
	Sunpentown Compact Fridge This is one very compact refrigerator at 1.7 cubic feet that also includes a small freezer section for ice. It’s extremely economical and stainless steel finish and larger sizes are also available. Learn More
	Avanti Half Height Refrigerator This compact fridge boasts of full temperature control and self defrosting, which can be a headache saver. It also features door storage for soda cans and tall bottles. Learn More

We hope this college dorm refrigerators mini fridge buying guide has been useful to you and your roommate as you try and decide what type is best for you. Have any questions? Comments? Suggestions? Share your thoughts in the comments section below.